News Report 31st July 2009

There was a strong local turnout last Thursday evening at the 9th running of Ras Hendre Wallog, a 3 mile trail race which formed part of the festivities of the Abergynolwyn Carnival Week.

A close battle developed within the race, with less than a minute seperating the first four finishers. However, a strong descent by Meirionnydd Running Club athlete, Ifan Richards of Brithdir, saw him capture eventual victory in a time of 17.06mins. Hot on his heels was Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog, the Bro Dysynni athlete eventually settling for a 3rd placed finish in a time of 17.43mins whilst the Meirionnydd duo of Mark Atherton (Llan Ffestiniog) & Adam Preston (Dolgellau) completed the top 5 in respective times of 17.58mins & 18.14mins. There then followed a Bro Dysynni family battle with son, Dylan, pipping father Tom Jones, the Aberdyfi based duo home in times of 18.18mins & 19.21mins.

The ladies race was dominated by Andrea Vaughan of Ganllwyd, completing a 'double victory' for Meirionnydd Running Club on the evening, her victorious time being 21.25mins. Gwennan Roberts of Rhoslefain was the 2nd female home, the Bro Dysynni athlete finishing in 27.23mins whilst the Meirionnydd trio of Tracey & Cara Evans of Brithdir and Janet Preston of Dolgellau came in together in 31.48mins to complete the top 5 in the female section of the event.

As ever with Ras Hendre Wallog, the race also attracted a high percentage of youngsters, with 12 year old Rhys Roberts of Llanegryn leading home the junior contingent in a time of 20.58mins with Aaron & Dion Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog also putting in strong efforts to finish in respective times of 21.10mins & 22.06mins. There were also excellent races from  Huw Williams of Llanllwyda, home in 25.34mins & local boy Steffan Owen, the 10 year old from Abergynolwyn finishing in a time of 26.06mins.

A quartet of Bro Dysynni athletes were in 'Race The  Train' action recently, their venue being Caernarfon for the Caernarfon Race The Train 5k. A busy Dewi Roberts led home the quartet, claiming 3rd place in the Male Over-40 category in a time of 16.08mins whilst less than a minute seperated the remaining trio. They were led home by Malcolm Taylor of Criccieth in a time of 25.50mins, he was followed by Huw Harrison of Fairbourne, delighted with his finishing time of 25.59mins whilst a beaming Andy Unwin of Harlech followed in a respectable 26.47mins.

Meirionnydd Running club team-mates, Mark Atherton and Nich Bradley of Dolgellau were also recently in action at the Moel Siabod Fell Race in Capel Curig. Taking on a course measuring 5.8 miles and including 2,300 feet of climbing the Meirionnydd duo came home in respective times of 1hr 02..14mins & 1hr 17.31mins.

Adding to her ever growing list of British Championship success recently was Bro Dysynni veteran, Sheila Symonds. Her most recent race was the Magor Marsh 10k event in Chepstow, Gwent, the race also chosen to host the British Veteran Athletics Federation (BVAF) 10k Championships. Turning in yet another outstanding performance, the formidable Dolgellau-based athlete claimed victory and B.V.A.F. championship success in the Female Over-70 category, finishing in a time of 1hr 18.17mins.

Running in North Yorkshire recently was Meirionnydd Running Club athlete, Frankie Vaughan. His destination was Kilburn near Thirsk for the Kilburn Feast 7 Mile Road Race. In a race which had 254 finishers, the Ganllwyd based athlete came home in a pleasing 78th spot in a time of 53.26mins.

To round off a busy recent schedule for local athletes, Alwyn Jones of Penmachno was the sole Meirionnydd Running Club representative at the 'Green, Green Grass of Home' Fell Race held up Moel Famau and evenually finishing in Llangynhafal. Producing a sterling performance at the event, the locally affiliated athlete covered the 5 mile course which included 1,800 feet of climbing in an excellent time of 36.54mins.

Huw Harrison of Fairbourne in action at the recent Caernarfon Race The Train 5k event.

A.Unwin