News Report 30th November
2008
A large group of local athletes and
support crew recently made their way to the Canary Island
of Lanzarote for the ninth consecutive year to take part in the four race
series which makes up the 'La Santa Challenge'.
Six
athletes completed the 51k four race event, made up of the 'Clasica de
Lanzarote' 10k Road Race, 13k Volcanic Ridge Run, 5k Beach Run before the
gruelling finale of the 21k 'Vuelta de Tinajo' Trans-Island Run. Leading home
the six and improving his 2007 combined time by nearly 14 minutes was Frankie
Vaughan of Ganllwyd, the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete completing the
challenge in a pleasing time of 3hrs 47.47mins. His team-mate, Juliet Edwards
of Dolgellau, led home the four strong local female contingent in a time
of 4hrs 12.41mins whilst 1st time La Santa competitor, Debbie Evans of Tywyn,
showed great aptitude to the event, the Bro Dysynni athlete completing the
challenge in a time 4hrs 18.56mins to claim an outstanding 2nd place finish in
the Female 50-54 Age Group Category. Injury free for the first time in living
memory was Graeme Stringer of Llanelltyd, the Meirionnydd Running Club member
claiming an overall time of 4hrs 38.10mins, just enough to pip his
Dolgellau-based team-mate, Margaret Roberts, who after running 2 of the 4 races
in 2007, stepped up to complete the challenge this year in a time of 4hrs
40.17mins. Having competed in one race in 2007, another Meirionnydd Running
Club athlete also took on the complete challenge in 2008, and Sioned Evans of
Dolgellau can be well pleased with her efforts as she completed the tough
challenge in a time of 5hrs 15.22mins.
Two
Bro Dysynni athletes part-completed the challenge, one falling foul to
injury after completing the first 3 races of the challenge. That athlete was Bob Chilton of
Hermon, succumbing to a knee ligament injury after completing the first three
races, a combined total of 28k, in a time of 2hrs 28.07mins. Meanwhile,
Fairbourne-based athlete, Huw Harrison, used the wind to his assistance in the
inaugural 10k event, delighted with his finishing time of 1hr 02.02mins, before
choosing to relax by the swimming pool for the remainder of the week long stay.
From left to right are Bob Chilton, Sioned
Jones, Graeme Stringer, Huw Harrison, Margaret Roberts, Debbie Evans, Juliet
Edwards & Frankie Vaughan. Also
in picture is team mascot, Anna Roberts.'
A.Unwin