News Report 30th September 2006

 A team of six local athletes and various supporters headed to Saillon in Switzerland recently to participate in the 6th annual World Masters Mountain Running Championships.

As befits the race title, all the races were uphill only, covering either 7.9k or 9.5k dependant on the age category. Two of the six competing were in the male over-55 category which resulted in them running the shorter of the two distances, much to their frustrations as the longer of the two races were more to their liking. However, times of 1hr 01.04mins and 1hr 12.58mins, ensured respective 36th and 56th placed category finishes for Tony Hodgson of Llanelltyd and Bob Chilton of Hermon.

The remaining quartet all covered the longer, 9.5k course. In the male over-50 category a time of 1hr 16.38mins ensured an 84th place category finish for Nich Bradley of Dolgellau whilst Graeme Stringer of Arthog claimed an 86th placed category finish in the male over-40 class in a time of 1hr 17.09mins. Andrea Goode of Arthog claimed a terrific 14th place finish in the female over-35 class in a time of 1hr 18.22mins whilst Juliet Edwards of Dolgellau was 30th in the female over-40 section in 1hr 24.00mins.

The day after the Championship race, the organisers had arranged an open race over the 9.5k course and a trio of those mentioned above rose to the challenge of competing for the second day in succession. A remarkable performance by Tony Hodgson saw him claim 8th position to the senior male race in 1hr 12.52mins whilst Meirionnydd Running Club team-mate, Nich Bradley followed in 1hr 19.41mins to claim 11th place in the same category. Completing the trio was Juliet Edwards whose time of 1hr 28.05mins claimed an excellent 32nd place finish in the senior female section.

The six competitors are pictured after their opening day endeavours.

Back row, left to right are Bob Chilton, Tony Hodgson, Juliet Edwards, Graeme Stringer and Nich Bradley with Andrea Goode kneeling in the foreground.

Andy Unwin