News Report 30^th August 2009

A total of eight local athletes formed part of a strong field of 163 competitors who gathered at Coed Helen Recreational Park last Sunday lunchtime to take part in the Caernarfon 10k Road Race.

The race boasts one of the most scenic courses in North Wales with over half the event being run along the foreshore of the Menai Straits. However, conditions last Sunday ensured that the section of the race run alongside the Menai, was also run into a head-wind, making conditions difficult for those taking on the challenge.

Host athletes from Eryri Harriers dominated the race, with the club securing victory through Richard Roberts (33.29mins) & Andrea Rowlands (40.02mins) in both the male and female categories.

Of the eight local athletes in action, there was an equal split of four apiece from Meirionnydd Running Club & Bro Dysynni A.C. Of these, the first three to finish were Meirionnydd affiliated with Kevin Jones of Dolgellau home in 40.42mins, Andrea Vaughan of Ganllwyd home in 44.37mins and a rejuvanated Graeme Stringer of Llanelltyd home in 46.43mins. The Dysynni quartet were led home by Barrie Jackson of Bala in a time of 49.19mins with club-mate, John Tee of Criccieth following in 51.42mins. A mere 6 seconds seperated Sioned Jones of Brithdir and Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth, the former completing the Meirionnydd turnout in 54.14mins, the latter being the third Dysynni finisher, home in a time of 54.20mins. The local contingent was completed by Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau, the remarkable Dysynni athlete also picking up the only age category success on the day as she claimed North Wales Championship Gold within the Female Over-75 category in a time of 83.25mins.

There was a trip south to the Brecon Beacons recently for John Marsh, the Tarren Hendre athlete having entered the tough Beacons Fell Race, an event measuring 19 miles in distance and also involving a total of 4,600 feet of climbing. In a stamina-sapping event, there was a magnificent finishing time for the Tywyn based athlete, as he crossed the finishing line in a time of 3hrs 40.44mins, which also claimed 2nd spot in the Male Over-60 category.

Finally, Meirionnydd Running Club member, Arwyn Jones took part in an event with a difference recently as he headed into Snowdonia to take part in the Tryfan Downhill Dash, a 1 mile event which took in 680 metres of descent on an uneven surface. Using his downhill prowess to its maximum, the Penmachno-based athlete claimed an impressive 4th placed finish in a time of 11.42mins.

A.Unwin