News Report 27th July 2008
Race
organisers had plenty to smile about at the 7th running of the Nigel Evans
(Plasterer of Distinction) sponsored Dolgellau 5 Mile Race which was held
last Saturday afternoon.
Firstly,
the weather on the day was ideal for both competing, as well as spectating, and
secondly, the field of 105 finishers was the second highest total in the 7 year
history of the event.
Having won
the Penmaenpool 10 Mile Race in both 2006 and 2007, it was Mark Garratt (Road
Runners Club) who covered the 5 mile course quickest this year as a finishing
time of 26.12mins claimed overall victory by a clear 36 seconds from race
runner-up, Luke Northall (Tipton Harriers), who followed in 26.48mins. The
first female finisher was Louise Barker (Aberystwyth A.C.), who, having finished
3rd female at the event in 2007, claimed overall
victory in her section in 2008 by finishing in 31.33mins.
The first
of the many local finishers affiliated to either host club, Meirionnydd R.C.,
or Bro Dysynni A.C. was Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog, as a time of
27.43mins claimed an overall 5th place finish, as well as age category success
in the Male Over-35 section, for the Bro Dysynni athlete.
There then
followed a gaggle of Meirionnydd Running Club finishers, the 1st of whom was
Frankie Vaughan of Corris, home in 33.06mins. He, in turn, was followed by
Pete Nicholls of Llanfachreth in 34.24mins, John Smith in 34.40mins and Kevin
Evans of Bithdir in 34.59mins. Iori Jones of Dolgellau followed in an
all-to-rare racing appearance, finishing in 36.40mins whilst
Continuing
her remarkable record of being one of only three athletes to have completed
every Dolgellau 5 Mile Race was Sheila Jones of Pwllheli, who had the added
bonus of victory in the Female Over-45 section as the Dysynni athlete crossed
the finishing line in an excellent time of 38.12mins.
Next home
was Dysynni's Bob Chilton of Hermon in a time of 40.04mins whilst
Meirionnydd Running Club competitor, Margaret Roberts of
Dolgellau, followed in 40.48mins. A delighted Hugh Harrison of Fairbourne
in the green and red of Dysynni was next home in a time of 42.56mins
whilst three Meirionnydd competitors, namely Sioned Jones of Dolgellau, Ann
Styles of Penmaenpool and Rob Thomas of Llanelltyd followed in respective times
of 44.20mins, 44.47mins & 44.53mins.
The third
Bro Dysynni athlete to claim age category success followed as Marj Griffiths of
Aberystwyth claimed victory in the Female Over-60 category in a time of
45.57mins whilst Nia Ellis-Brown of Dolgellau finished strongly in a time of
52.20mins to complete a fine team turn out for the host club, Meirionnydd R.C.
The
loudest cheers of the day were however, reserved for the final 9 competitors to
finish, representing Dolgellau fire station, with all 9 completing the event
held in sweltering conditions by wearing their full fire-fighting gear. After
the event, all 9 were spotted at the Dolgellau Rugby Club, replenishing lost
fluids.
Prior to
the Dolgellau event, a quartet of local athletes were in action at the Race The Train 5k event held in Caernarfon. Once again, it was
Dewi Roberts leading home the local contingent as a time of 16.26mins achieved
a fine 16th place finish out of the 263 competitors. Completing his 1st ever 5k
race was the sole Meirionnydd R.C. athlete in action, as Tony Hodgson of
Llanelltyd came home in 19.47mins, to be followed by the Dysynni duo
of Malcolm Taylor, home in 22.51mins and a beaming Andy Unwin of
Harlech completing the event in a below-par time of 28.13mins.
There is
local action tonight (Thursday) as Abergynolwyn will play host to the
ever-popular Ras Hendre-Wallog. The three mile event is held mainly off-road
and is open to all. Registration will be at the village hall opposite the
Railway Inn, with the race due off at 6.00pm.
A.Unwin