Bro Dysynni A.C.Report 7th November 2005

Whereas Bro Dysynni A.C. athletes on two legs are on the whole well respected and occasionally successful, the club's only canine competitor recently grabbed the headlines at the Beachy Head Marathon run along the South Downs coastal paths of Sussex. The off-road marathon is one of very few road races which encourage canine participation and as a result of this a fair number of the 1500 competitors on the day were accompanied by their pet dogs.

One such competitor was Tony Hodgson of Llanelltyd who was accompanied in his endevours by 6 year old Poppy. Poppy is Tony's regular training partner as he prepares for his various races and the rare chance to accompany his owner to a race was to good an opportunity for Poppy to pass on. The partnership for the 26.2 mile race, which started and finished in Eatbourne, proved to be highly successful as Tony finished in a time of 4hrs 24.00mins, claiming a respectable 175th finishing position as well as being the human member of the first man & dog team to finish. The organisers even went so far as to lay on suitable refreshments for all race finishers, with both 2 & 4 legs. Whilst Tony suffered numerous blisters and sore legs the next day, Poppy was bouncing around like a puppy!

Meanwhile, an excellent turnout of 16 Bro Dysynni athletes were in action in Clwyd last Sunday afternoon at the Slaters 5 mile road race in Abergele, which also incorporated the North Wales 5 Mile Road Running Championships. The race was won by Peter Lambert of Deeside A.C. in a time of 26.13mins whilst the first Dysynni finisher, unable to repeat his 2004 victory in this race, claiming 4th position on this occasion in a time of 28.03mins was Steve Gilliland of Tywyn. He was followed by Jos Jones of Tywyn in 32.26mins whilst Gwyn Jones of Pwllheli and Rosie Naish in her first road race of the year had an excellent battle, finishing in respective times of 34.06mins and 34.14mins. Criccieth stalwart Malcolm Taylor was next to finish in 36.19mins, with 3 Dysynni athletes then finishing within 13 seconds of each other. The first of the trio home was Sheila Jones of Pwllheli in 38.20mins, Bala's Barrie Jackson followed in 38.24mins with Frankie Vaughan of Dolgellau despite an injury scare, completed the trio in 38.33mins. Roma Charlwood of Dolgellau followed shortly afterwards in 39.48mins with Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd next home in 40.28mins. The strong Dolgellau contingent continued as Margaret Roberts finished in 41.37mins with Llanelltyd's Rob Thomas next home in 42.05mins. Marit Evans of Dolgellau was pleased with her time of 43.11mins whilst Andy Unwin of Harlech will be looking to enlist Poppy for assistance in his next race as he struggled home in 49.31mins. He was followed by Roy Peel of Llanelltyd in 51.31mins whilst an evergreen Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau completed the Dysynni presence, finishing in 1hr 01.10mins.

This coming Saturday sees the 3rd running of the Rhobell Fawr fell race. The 6 mile race which also includes 1900 feet of climbing is due off at 12.00 noon from nearby the Llanfachreth village hall. With Colin Donnelly of Eryri Harriers looking to complete a hat-trick of victories in this race a good turnout of competitors is widely expected. The race also incorporates the first event of the Meirionnydd Winter Race series as well as being the final event of the 2005 Welsh Fell Running Association Open Championships. Entries for the race will be taken on the day with more details relating to the event being available on www.brodysynniac.co.uk.

* Adam, sorry it's a bit lengthy this week!! Proposed caption for photo should you decide to use it could be;

'Top Dog - Proud owner Tony Hodgson is seen sat next to Poppy, both proudly displaying the medals they won at the Beachy Head Marathon'