News Report 29^th September 2008

Four local athletes recently made the trip to Mold to participate in the Flintshire 10k Road Race, an event which also incorporated the North Wales 10k Road Running Championships. Local quality shone through as all four competing achieved a podium position, with one of the four claiming overall age category success. That success was achieved by Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau, as the Bro Dysynni athlete claimed victory in the Female Over-70 category in a magnificent time of 1hr 16.16mins. Also achieving podium placings were Frankie Vaughan of Corris, the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete claiming 2nd overall in the Male Over-50 category in a time of 42.54mins. There was a 'battle royale' in the Male Over-65 category as Bro Dysynni team-mates Barrie Jackson of Bala and Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth came home in respective times of 48.12mins and 48.25mins to claim 2nd and 3rd places within the section.

A further six members of Bro Dysynni headed to Anglesey recently, three to take part in the Anglesey Marathon, whilst the other three chose to compete in the affiliated 5k race. In the marathon, there was a terrific performance from Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog who, in his inaugural marathon, achieved a finishing time of 2rs 55.58mins to claim an overall 9th placed finish. Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd produced another steady performance whilst Marj Griffiths of Aberystwyth completed the Dysynni team as she came home in an equally impressive time of 5hrs 04.15mins. In the affiliated 5k race, Nigel Evans of Dolgellau commenced his 2nd comeback of 2008 by finishing in 20.51mins, whilst Dion Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog, taking inspiration from his father in the marathon, finished in 22.11mins. Requiring inspiration from any source was Andy Unwin of Harlech, beaming as he crossed the finishing line in a time of 30.47mins.

A further quartet of local competitors were also in action in Shropshire recently, their chosen event being the Nesscliffe Nasty 5 Mile Race, held near Shrewsbury. As at Mold, the quartet were led home by Frankie Vaughan, on this occasion finishing in a time of 37.00mins, claiming bragging rights over wife, Andrea, who followed in a time of 38.38mins. Barrie Jackson claimed age category victory in the Male Over-65 section in a time of 42,37mins whilst this was replicated by Brenda Jones in the Female Over-65 category, home in a time of 46.42mins.

There is further local action this coming Saturday as the Mawddach Estuary will form the back-drop of the 'Trailworks / Garthyfog.co.uk' Penmaenpool 10 Mile Trail Race. The main race is due off from Penmaenpool at 12.00 Noon with the affiliated 2 mile fun run due off shortly afterwards, at 12.05pm. Further information relating to both events can be found on www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk.

A.Unwin