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Craig yr Aderyn/Bird Rock Race Report Craig yr Aderyn/Bird Rock Results Pictured are the two fun run winners. On the left is 16 year old Annie Owen of Penmaenpool who won the girls race in 15.04mins whilst on the right is 12 year old Edward Iffla of Tywyn who led home the 49 runners in the the two mile race in a terrific time of 13.19mins. |
| One of the youngest fun run finishers was 3 year old Ioan Craven-Jones of Wrexham (Number 101). He is seen about to cross the finishing line in the company of Ashleigh Craven also of Wrexham (Number 102). Some achievement for such a youngster!!! |  |
 | Brodysynni's Dewi Roberts finishing in 7th place in an excellent time of 1hr 21mins 24seconds. |
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The Good, the Bad and Richard Griffiths in action at the recent Ras Y Moelwyn race in Blaenau Ffestiniog. From left to right are Nich Bradley of Meirionnydd Running Club who finished the race in 2hrs 01.40mins, Martin Potter of Clwydian Range Runners and our very own Richard Griffiths who finished the race in a time of 2hrs 02.05mins. |
| Owen Rees in action at the recent Ras Y Moelwyn race in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Owen eventually finished the race in 15th position in a time of 1hr 33.01secs | 
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| Stanley Marathon 18th March 2007
| It has been described as one of the toughest marathon courses due to the gradients, wind and the threat of bad weather! I can safely say the weather was bad and so the course lived up to its status as a tough marathon. Winds averaged 37kph, gusting to 55kph — and with a peak gust recorded at 90kph. This, the third of the world's most southerly certified marathon saw 28 competitors line up alongside a further 12 teams of four taking part in the relay. But only my second ever marathon. I knew it was never going to be anything like London last year and it would have it’s own ups and downs. The scenery of the course is variable. It starts in the town of Stanley. After about 4 miles heads out towards surf bay and the local airport, before turning round and heading back out along the bypass road and up to what is known as Sappers Hill. The course then turns around again and goes back out the airport before heading back into the town. The wind on the day of the marathon came from the north and was relentless the whole length of the course. I ran with a colleague from work and we kept each other going the whole way as we both had personal goals that we wanted to achieve. I don’t know how but I somehow managed to beat my previous marathon time by about fifteen minutes. Although the course was not lined with supporters those that did turn out to support were very much appreciated and familiar faces did pop up in many different places along the route. The winning time was 3:05:22 with the first woman finishing in 3:50:25. I finished in 4:48:15. I not sure if it counts towards the Bro Dysynni AC league tables or not but I have the t-shirt and medal for the most southern marathon in the world and a wonderful memory of a fantastically organised event in the Falkland Islands. Kate Williams |
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Ras yr Aran and Winter Series Results Taking on a fell race of greater distance recently was Owen Rees of Bro Dysynni. He chose to head to Gwent to compete in the Llanbedr to Blaenavon Fell Race. The event, measuring 15 miles and covering some 4,500 feet of climbing was a true test of endurance with the Dysynni athlete showing the necessary stamina to finish in a time of 2hrs 31.46mins to claim an outstanding 10th place finish. | 
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Adam (left) and Will Haynes in mountain biking
action at the recent Open5 race in Sutton Bank see news report |
| Cross Country League Final Positions |
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'The Dysynni Dutch Masters from left to right, Jos Jones, Dewi Roberts, Aron Roberts, Hugh Harrison and Andy Unwin'
Polderloop Pictures
Full result details |
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Late Pictures HARRISON EARNS DUTCH CAP |
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With the Dutch ARO'88 team having visited Wales in both 2003 & 2004 to take part in the
Cader Idris Fell Race, a team of 5 from Bro Dysynni returned the compliment over the weekend
of 23-25 February, 2007, by heading to the ARO'88 base in Obdam in the north of Holland to
take part in the Polderloop races, these being the main races organised by the host club over
the course of the year. The 20th running of the Polderloop event consisted of 1k, 3k, 5k & 10k races, with the Dysynni five competing in the latter three. But let us go back to the start of the weekend........ The five, namely Jos Jones, Huw Harrison, Andy Unwin and father and son Dewi and Aron Roberts left for Holland via the Easy Jet flight from Liverpool to Amsterdam. An uneventful journey saw the gang land in the Dutch capital before a train journey to their weekend base of Hoorn. A Friday night in Hoorn in the rain in the middle of February saw the town rather secluded. Having not eaten for the best part of the day, Dewi stated that often he would go beyond hunger and not feel like eating. Within two hours of this profound statement the Blaenau eating machine had eaten a meal at the local Chinese restaurant and within an hour or so of doing this was seen entering his hotel room with kebab and chips. Hugh Harrison, naturally was in awe of this achievement. The other development of this night saw 9 year old Aron Roberts showing more stamina than Andy Unwin who went to bed before him...the same was to happen the following night!! After a hearty Saturday breakfast which saw Hugh and Dewi in competition to see who could make the most visits to the breakfast buffet bar, a day trip to Amsterdam was the order of the day. A 45 minute train journey saw the gang arrive at Centraal Station and a sight-seeing tour commenced. The group ended up in Dam Square watching an illusionist and escapologist / street theatre which had Aron spellbound. After Dam Square, the gang mysteriously ended up in the Red Light Area, this time Jos, Hugh, Andy and Dewi were spellbound. After a few beers in a pub watching the rugby and football and a spot of window shopping, the gang returned to Hoorn with the horn to begin their pre-race preparations. This saw Andy in bed by 9.30pm with the other four out eating. Sunday morning saw race day. An 8 minute train journey saw the gang travel from Hoorn to Obdam. Race head-quarters were ideally situated near the railway station and upon arrival a very warm welcome was provided by the ARO'88 race registration team. One note of contention which could have resulted in an internatonal incident saw the Dysynni team enter the ladies changing rooms by mistake to a scene reminiscent of the previous days visit to the red light area of Amsterdam. The 5 entered their races, Aron (3k), Jos, Hugh and Andy (5k) and Dewi (10k). Unfortunately the weekend weather was disappointing and race day saw steady rain making for uncomfortable conditions. Aron was first off for the 3k race at 10.25am and came home 4th out of 19 in the under-11 section in a terrific time of 13.44mins. The 5k & 10k events both set off at 10.30am which caught Dewi by surprise as he was still warming up. The course was pancake flat and took in the town of Obdam before setting out along the canal side, past a windmill before heading back to Obdam. Jos led home the 5k trio in 20.51mins to claim 2nd place in the 'Senior Male' section, Hugh followed in 25.02mins with Andy finishing in 31.48mins. The team gathered to welcome Dewi home in the 10k and he didn't disappoint as a personal best time of 35.49mins saw a 3rd place finish in the 'Senior Male' section. After showering, the presentations took place with Dewi winning a towel, deodarant, sports drink and biscuits for his 3rd place. The sports drink was later confiscated as the team made there way through customs at Schipol airport! The Dutch were fantastic in the presentation, many ARO'88 members wearing the Cader Idris sweat shirts from 2003 & 2004 and a Welsh flag on display in the presentation room. The host club also presented the Dysynni runners with a CD of their impressions of the Cader Idris race as well a cake traditional to the area. In return, Dysynni presented ARO'88 with 3 club t-shirts. Also at the presentation, Dewi was offered free accomodation should he decide to run the Amsterdam Marathon later this year. Back to Hoorn and then a staggered journey to the airport as the team had time to kill before their flight back to Liverpool. Highlight of the airport saw Hugh going to a 24 hour food stall, just as it was closing and being refused service and Dewi having his hard earned drink confiscated. A delayed flight saw the gang arrive at Liverpool at 11.30pm before the long haul back into North Wales. An excellent weekend combined sight-seeing, drinking and running, perhaps the main downside being the poor weather which greeted the team. Special mention must go to 9 year old Aron whose behaviour all weekend was spot on...far better than his travelling colleagues! The 21st Polderloop is being run towards the end of January, 2008.....watch this space!!!!! |
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| Bro Dysynni Presentation Night....Cambrian report |
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| Late arrival Tyn-y-Groes Pics |
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MEIRIONNYDD DISTRICT SPORTS COUNCIL AWARDS, 2006 Bro Dysynni A.C. kept up it's excellent record of success at the annual Meirionnydd District Sports Council awards as Andy Unwin followed colleagues John Nolan (1999), Richard Griffiths (2001), Barrie Jackson (2004) and Buddug Jones (2005) in winning the 'Club Person Of The Year' award for 2006. Unfortunately, the presentation night at the Dragon Theatre, Barmouth co-incided with the recent club trip to Lanzarote, so Andy was unable to pick up the trophy in person. As a club, we have an excellent record at these awards with Tom Evans, Adrian Bailey, Paula Jeffs and Brenda Jones all having collected the Meirionnydd Sports Person of the Year award since its inception in 1996. Can we get a name on a shield in 2007????
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| Cross Country League Positions 05-12-06 |
Results Photos Special Limited edition of 40 Race T Shirts still available at only £5 each in sizes S,M,L,XL To order..state size and name and address etc Download the Radio Wales Broadcast of the last Race (20Mb mp4 file) |
Tyny-y-Groes Boxing Day Hill Race 2006 Boxing day saw a record field of runners running off the excesses of Christmas and completing the
short but fierce winter version of the Tyn-y-Groes Hill race near Ganllwyd.
Coming home first and sporting a magnificent pair of leopard skin tights was
Stephen Gilliland of Bro Dysynni in a superb time of 20:38 with another local
runner Adam Haynes of Meirionnydd taking second place in 21:29.
Third place and heading a strong contingent from Eryri was Paul Jenkinson in 22:05.
Other local finishers included Tony Hodgson (disguised as rabbit) of Meirionnydd in
6th place in a time of 22:59 with team Dave Whittey taking just 23:40 in one of his
rare Fell running appearances and closely pursued by Jos Jones of Bro Dysynni in 23:45.
Particularly notable were the performances of the two youngest competitors with 15 year old
William Haynes of Meirionnydd taking fourth place in 22:40 less than a minute behind his
second placed father Adam and 14 year old Edward Iffla of Bro Dysynni beating his 19th
placed father Hugo by five seconds in 25:54.
The event was well supported by the two local clubs Meirionnydd and Bro Dysynni who accounted
for no less than 18 of the entrants.
Highest placed female finisher was Lucy Cambridge of Dudley in a time of 30:20
While second highest female finisher was a youthful 73 year old Sheila Symonds of Bro Dysynni.
Following the race it was soup,mince pies and liquid replenishment in the Tyn-y-Groes
Hotel at Ganllwyd where a collection raised £80 for the Air Ambulance and Ukraine Humanitarian Aid
charities.
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| Since turning 65 in June, 2006, our very own Brenda Jones of Llanelltyd has had an amazing 6 months of success and, as the year draws to a close, she has gained an amazing 8 National Championship category victories within the female over-65 category.A breakdown of the eight sees the following performances at the following venues; |
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BMAF (British Masters Athletic Federation) Championship Races;
BMAF 2006 5k Road Championships held in Horwich, June 18th 2006 - 1st female finisher over-65 years of age in 24.02mins. |  The picture shows Brenda proudly displaying her 8 Championships medals gained in an amazing 6 month period. |
| Lanzarote 2006 For the seventh year in succession, a team of local athletes from both Bro Dysynni A.C. and Meirionnydd Running Club visited the Canary Island of Lanzarote recently to take part in the La Santa Challenge, a series of four races held over four consecutive days on the volcanic island. The four races, namely a 10k road race, a 13k volcanic ridge run, a 5k beach run and a 21k trans-island run measured 51k (just over 30 miles) in total and, at the end of an exhausting week, 8 of the team had completed the whole challenge with a further 6 completing one or more of the races.
|  The eyes have it... |
| Leading home the eight athletes who
completed the 51k was Tony Hodgson of Llanelltyd in an
overall time of 3hrs 29.17mins. Next home was Jos Jones of Tywyn in 3hrs 38.58mins whilst
Nich Bradley of Dolgellau and Frankie Vaughan of Ganllwyd battled fiercely throughout the
four race series to gain respective finishing times of 3hrs 54.13mins and 3hrs 56.46mins.
Robert Thomas of Llanelltyd produced an excellent quartet of results to eventually finish in
4hrs 13.50mins, whilst amazingly Graeme Stringer of Arthog and Juliet Edwards of Dolgellau
both produced finishing times of 4hrs 14.34mins. Completing the local turnout in completing
the four races, and far exceeding his original expectations, was a delighted Huw Harrison of
Dolgellau, who, despite windy conditions, still managed to complete the challenge in 4hrs 38.36mins. Another half a dozen local athletes took part in individual races as follows; Alison Price of Fairbourne completed the 10k and 13k races in an overall time of 2hrs 01.08mins, Ralph Burgess completed the 13k ridge run in 1hr 16.12mins, Gill Allday of Barmouth completed the 10k race in 1hr 15.21mins, whilst a trio of local athletes concentrated their running on the 5k beach run with Ben Buxton coming home in 26.06mins, a beaming Andy Unwin of Harlech following in 34.13mins with Christine Stevens of Barmouth completing the turn-out in 37.49mins. More pics and slideshow Yet more pics |
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On yet another of his continental marathon races, Tywyn super-veteran and Bro Dysynni life-member, Alan Morton, found himself in Canada in mid-October for the Toronto Marathon. As ever during any race he takes part in, Al proved to be a true running gentleman and on 16 miles he met up with Cara Doxsee (Race Number 608) of Stittsville, Ottawa. When they met, sports teacher Cara was in some distress and was on the verge of dropping out of the race. Al sprung into action and persuaded Cara to run with him. This they did for the remaining 10 miles of the race and the picture shows the duo a mere 50 metres from the finishing line which they both crossed together in 4hrs 54.10mins. An added bonus for Al was that, as well as the pleasant company he kept for the last 10 miles of the race, he was victorious in the male aged 70-74 category of the race which had 1618 finishers. It appears that Al made quite an impression on Cara as she has invited him over for the 2007 Ottawa Marathon. The big question is, will Al reciprocate the invitation and invite Cara to the Bird Rock Half Marathon next May???? |
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Rhobell Fawr 11th Nov 2006...RESULTS |
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Records tumbled at the fourth running of the Rhobell Fawr fell race held in
Llanfachreth last Saturday afternoon, with both the male and female course records being
broken convincingly. The new record holders are fast becoming familiar faces in local events as partners Lloyd Taggart (Dark Peak Fell Runners) and Jackie Lee (Eryri Harriers) repeated their joint success at the Rhinog Horseshoe race held in Llanbedr recently. On this occasion, the Dark Peak Fell Runner knocked 3 minutes off the course record for the tough 6.3 mile race which included 1,900 feet of climbing as he finished in 47.20mins to claim victory by over 5 minutes. A familiar pattern ensued in the female section as the Eryri Harrier' beat her own existing record by just under a minute to finish in 57.54mins, over 2 minutes clear of the next female finisher. As ever, the race proved to be extremely popular amongst local athletes who formed a good percentage of the 65 race finishers. Leading the locals home, in second place overall as well as claiming victory in the male over-40 category, was Steve Gilliland of Tywyn, home in 52.30mins. Bro Dysynni team-mate, Owen Rees followed, as a time of 55.30mins saw him claim a tremendous 5th place finish. An ever improving Dave Whittey of Llanelltyd led home the Meirionnydd Running Club contingent in 1hr 00.11mins with Michael Palmer of Tywyn following in 1hr 00.30mins. A tremendous three way tussle saw youngster Will Haynes of Rhyd finish in 1hr 03.01mins to claim the far more experienced scalps of Tywyn based Walter Marsh and Adam Haynes of Rhyd who followed home in respective times of 1hr 03.06mins and 1hr 03.10mins.There was an age category victory for Tarren Hendre athlete John Marsh who led home the male over-60 category in 1hr 04.12mins whilst Hugo Iffla of Tywyn followed in 1hr 04.50mins. The next local finisher was Richard Griffiths of Tywyn in 1hr 06.03mins with Kevin Evans of Dolgellau following in 1hr 07.17mins. Andrea Goode of Arthog came home in 1hr 08.29mins whilst Nich Bradley and Juliet Edwards of Dolgellau followed in 1hr 09.11mins and 1hr 13.46mins. There were also excellent performances from the remaining trio of local finishers as Margaret Roberts, Andrea Edwards and Tracey Evans finished strongly in respective times of 1hr 23.50mins, 1hr 23.53mins and 1hr 34.58mins. Five of the local competitors at the Rhobell Fawr event were amongst 6 local athletes also in action the previous weekend, the venue on that occasion being Cilcain near Mold for for the Clwydian Hills Fell Race, a 10 mile event including 3,100 feet of climbing, which was also the final race of the 2006 North Wales Fell Running Association Series. As at Rhobell, Lloyd Taggart and Jackie Lee dominated proceedings to claim victory in the male and female categories. However, overall North Wales Series victory for accumalated performances in 6 of the 9 race series went to Steve Gilliland who claimed a 10th place finish at Cilcain in a time of 1hr 20.44mins. Owen Rees followed in 1hr 22.57mins whilst Tony Hodgson, the only Rhobell non-performer, finished in 1hr 30.18mins. The remaining trio of local finishers were Walter Marsh in 1hr 31.52mins, Dave Whittey in 1hr 32.31mins and Kevin Evans in 1hr 41.20mins. |
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Steve Gilliland Triumphant! The North Wales WFRA Series was won by Steve Gilliland of Bro Dysynni (also 1st over 40). The ladies winner was Anna Bartlett of Shrewsbury. Both received framed pictures of Cader Idris donated by Benards Gallery of Llandudno. Other category winners - Male Richard Roberts (Eryri), Male over 50 Graham McAra (Cheshire), Male over 60 Don Williams (Eryri), Female over 40 Gill Evans (Shepshed), Female over 50 Maggie Oliver (Eryri). |
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 | GOING DUTCH Another chance to go Dutch and join Andy Unwin and Nigel Evans for a weekend in Amsterdam spiced up with a 10k race on the Sunday. Look who's going! 23rd-25th February |
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| Rhinog Horseshoe 21st October 2006 positions and Results and report with pics |
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| Many, many congratulations to club members Buddug Jones of Llwyngwril and Alan Morton of Tywyn for their recent award of being made 'Honourary Life Members' of Bro Dysynni Athletics Club. The pair were warmly congratulated on their awards at the recent club AGM. The awards have made in recognition of countless years support to the sport of athletics, both at a junior and senior level. Congratulations Buddug and congratulations Alan |
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| ARENIG FAWR FELL RACE | 1st October 2006 | Full Results |
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RACE REPORT
A 6-mile fell race on Arenig Fawr was run last year for the first time as an out and back route. This year the
race route was circular over a distance of 6.7miles. Weather conditions were mild but very wet with cloud cover
on the top. Even so, everything went according to plan, thanks to friends who marshalled at checkpoints
and helped at the headquarters, the great organizing skills of the Cliffs and Geoff Clegg’s timekeeping.
Special thanks are due to ‘Team Dolly’ who turned up in force to provide safety backup.
A total of 51 runners turned up, of whom 42 were men and 9 were women. The majority of men were veterans, but 8
out of the 9 women were below the age of 40.
Richard Roberts of Eryri set the course record at 59:04. The ladies record was set by Anna Bartlett of
Shrewsbury in a time of 70:49.
Runners’ comments were complimentary as the race had something for everyone – rock, grass and bog, a steep
ascent and descent and some fast sections.
At the finish competitors enjoyed cake and hot drinks. Prizes were purchased from ‘Running Bear’ at a generous
discount.
The race route will remain the same in future events. Yiannis Tridimas |  |
| World Masters Mountain Running Championships Report and Picture Gallery |
| Fairbourne Annual Race the Train (F.A.R.T.) fun run. |
 | The Bro Dysynni trio of Aaron Roberts (grey t-shirt), Dion Roberts (yellow t-shirt) and Nigel Evans (receeding hair-line) stake a claim for Bro Dysynni to win the team event....if there had been one. |
 | Entering the fancy dress spirit was Andy Unwin who, if truth be told, is exactly the same shape when not wearing his fancy dress costume. |
 | The sight of a supposed partially clad female drew unwanted attention from an overweight cyclist who followed from a distance for most of the race making consistently lewd comments and wanting to show the 'lady' racer his 'personal best'. Allegedly, the unknown cyclist also claimed to be an athlete soon to be making an appearance in Lanzarote. |
 | Having collected many medals over his long and distinguished athletics career, Colin Jackson, MBE, recently achieved one of his few outstanding ambitions when he got to meet Jodie Evans, Marit Evans and a partly hidden Robert Thomas at the recent Anglesey Marathon. After overcoming his initial shyness, Colin enjoyed a brief chat with the three. He was allegedly heard to say that the chat with the dynamic trio meant as much to him as did any of his many great individual performances on the track. |
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Lake Vyrnwy Time Keepers Extraordinaire!!!!! Barrie and Pauline Jackson
Archival news reports are beginning to fill my mailbox |
| The 8.5mile Source of the Severn race was the final event of the five race series organised by Maldwyn Harriers over the last few months. The events proved to be extremely popular with a number of Bro Dysynni athletes and this was apparent in the overall results from the series where the best 4 results counted towards the overall standings. Bro Dysynni were victorious in the overall series male and female categories as Dewi Roberts and Kate Williams led the way. There were also overall series age group category successes for Eirlys Griffiths (1st female over-50), Helen Williams (1st female over-55) & Richard Griffiths (1st male over-55). In addition to these, Jos Jones was third male overall and Marj Griffiths claimed 2nd position in the female over-60 section. Many thanks from Bro Dysynni are offered to Steve Orrells and his team at Maldwyn Harriers for organising such an enjoyable series of races. Hopefully Bro Dysynni will be able to repeat our success in the 2007 series! The photo shows (from left to right), John Marsh of Tarren Hendre (1st male over-60 at the Source of the Severn race), Dewi Roberts, Eirlys Griffiths, Richard Griffiths, Jos Jones & Marj Griffiths. Unfortunately, both Helen & Kate were unavailable when the photograph was taken. |  |
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Slideshow of pictures from the Newtown races All pictures supplied by Nigel Evans If anyone wants any particular high resolution picture
then I will forward by onygena@onetel.com
e.mail on request. |
| This new section will store those articles from the home page no longer news but not worthy of deletion. |
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Faenol 10k Results Tyn-Y-Groes Hill Race
2006 Results! June 2005 Results |
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 1st Steve Gilliland |
 2nd Pez Bullen |
 3rd Graeme Stringer |
 4th Andrea Goode |
 5th Linos Kizala from Lithuania |
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ERYRI HARRIERS TUESDAY EVENING SERIES - FINAL LOCAL STANDINGS
Not quite sure how the totals are calculated, but local competitors (Bro Dysynni and Meirionnydd Running Club)
had the following finishing positions (out of 132) at the end of the 8 race series;
Complete results
9th - Adam Haynes (Meirionnydd Running Club) - Average 8.96 from 4 races completed. |
| The Rockfoot Trials Utter Lunacy but no doubt someone will want to do this!! There is an ideal location for this between the cliffs and lake on Rhinog Fach which I discovered following bad navigation on the Rhinog Horseshoe event. Worth reading all the pdf file for the entertainment value |
