Athletes affiliated to Meirionnydd Running Club were dominant at the recent Dyfi8 Trail Race, providing the first four finishers at the tough 8 mile event held in the Dyfi Forest in and around Pantperthog.

  
Sheila Symonds                        John Smith                         Richard Griffiths

Pre-race favourite Ifan Richards claimed a comfortable victory, the Brithdir-based athlete home in a time of 50.30mins, a little over a minute clear of club colleague, Dylan Jones of Aberdyfi, who followed in a time of 51.35mins. Glyn Griffin of Penrhyndeudraeth completed the podium as a time of 53.12mins was good enough to pip Mark Atherton into 4th place, the Llan Ffestiniog athlete home in 53.53mins. Two athletes affiliated to host club Cerist Tri followed in the guise of Glyn Lewis and Kevin Hamilton home in respective times of 1hr 02.06mins & 1hr 02.18mins, with the Meirionnydd duo of Phil Morgan of Tywyn & John Smith of Dolgellau following in respective times of 1hr 03.43mins & 1hr 07.40mins. A trio of Bro Dysynni athletes were also in action at the event, they were led home by Richard Griffiths of Tywyn in 1hr 08.20mins, with fellow Tywyn resident, Richard Vroom, following in 1hr 23.46mins. The Dysynni turnout was completed by veteran athlete Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau, producing another amazing performance as she came home in a time of 2hrs 10.30mins.

Another Dysynni veteran in action recently, this time on the international front, was Brenda Jones, chosen as the one of the trio of Welsh athletes who competed within the Female Over-65 category at the British & Irish Masters Cross Country International held at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow. In near quagmire conditions, the Llanelltyd based athlete led home her team-mates within their age category in a time of 35.15mins, on this occasion the Welsh team just missing out on a podium finish.

Finally, John Tee of Blaenau Ffestiniog was the sole locally affiliated athlete in action at the recent Conwy Half-Marathon with the Bro Dysynni athlete crossing the finishing line in a pleasing time of 2hrs 00.38mins.

The grounds of the Glyndwr University Campus in Northop was the venue recently for the 3rd of the 5 fixtures which constitute the 2011-12 Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross Country League. Having performed admirably within the 1st two league fixtures, there was another strong performance from the men's team affiliated to Meirionnydd Running Club, maintaining their 2nd position within Division 1 of the two tier league.

This was achieved by a 13 strong turnout, with the 13 being led home by Ifan Richards, the Brithdir-based athlete claiming an overall 15th spot finish in a time of 33.10mins. The 2nd Meirionnydd finisher was Kevin Jones of Dolgellau, also claiming victory within the Male Over-45 category in a time of 34.41mins, with Dylan Jones of Aberdyfi hot on his heels in a time of 34.48mins. Glyn Griffin of Penrhyndeudraeth & Mark Atherton of Llan Ffestiniog were the next two Meirionnydd finishers in respective times of 35.13mins & 35.55mins, ahead of Adam Preston of Dolgellau & Clive Edgington of Friog, recording finishing times of 36.37mins & 38.09mins. Dylan Evans of Bryncrug had a 9 seconds advantage over Talyllyn based team-mate, Ricky Francis, with the two finishing in times of 40.46mins & 40.55mins with Dave Seabourne of Dolgellau following in 41.50mins. The Meirionnydd team were completed by the Dolgellau duo of Arfon Hughes & John Smith along with Frankie Vaughan of Ganllwyd, the trio home in respective times of 44.22mins, 45.29mins & 46.39mins. With the remaining two fixtures being held in early-2012, the Meirionnydd squad can reflect on an excellent first half of the season where they lay in 2nd spot in Division 1, behind Eryri Harriers, but well clear of much larger clubs such as Telford, Shrewsbury & Wrexham. Also in action within the men's races at Northop were Barrie Jackson of Bala, claiming 5th spot within the Male Over-70 category in a time of 27.26mins as well as Alex Lanz of Dolgellau & Jamie Evans of Bryncrug, claiming 5th & 8th placed finishing spots in the Male Under-17's category in respective times of 16.34mins & 17.48mins.

There was also a total of seven locally affiliated females in action within their race at Northop, five affilaited to Meirionnydd & two to Bro Dysynni. The seven were led home by Andrea Vaughan of Ganllwyd, the Meirionnydd athlete home in a time of 20.44mins. Club colleagues, Janet Preston of Dolgellau, Katherine Raine of Arthog & Jude Evans of Bryncrug followed in times of 24.26mins, 24.58mins & 25.37mins, with the first Dysynni athlete following in the guise of Brenda Jones, the Llanelltyd-based athlete victorious within the Female Over-70 category in a time of 26.02mins. Emma Davies of Dolgellau completed the Meirionnydd turnout in a time of 27.13mins with Marj Grifiths of Aberystwyth being the 2nd Dysynni finisher, 2nd within the Female Over-65 category in a time of 32.49mins. After the third of the five league fixtures, the Meirionnydd team slipped one spot to 7th position in a very tight Division 2, with Bro Dysynni maintaining their 11th placed spot within the same division

Pictured are Liz with Christine (left) & Gill (right). Rest In Peace Liz Bradley.

Glorious weather conditions more akin to spring time greeted the 62 athletes who gathered at the start line in Llanfachreth near Dolgellau last Sunday afternoon for the 9th running of the Rhobell Fawr Fell Race, a 6 mile event which also included an overall ascent of some 1,900 feet. As has become very much the norm recently, there was another excellent turnout from Meirionnydd Running Club, providing a total of 16 entrants which also included the overall race winner as well as three of the first 5 finishers.

The overall race winner, by a comfortable margin of just under two and a half minutes, was Ifan Richards of Brithdir, repeating his race victory at the event of 2009, on this occasion crossing the finishing line in a time of 52.03mins. Top five placings were also claimed by Dylan Jones of Aberdyfi, 4th in a time of 57.20mins, and Glyn Griffin of Penrhyndeudraeth, 5th in 59.36mins. There then followed an ongoing flow of race finishers wearing the blue of Meirionnydd, amongst them being Jamie & Dylan Evans of Bryncrug, home in respective times of 1hr 03.53mins & 1hr 07.13mins. Meirionnydd debutant, Phil Morgan of Tywyn, followed in 1hr 07.51mins, ahead of Llanelltyd's Tony Hodgson, home in 1hr 10.46mins and the trio of Arfon Hughes of Dolgellau, Pete Nicholls of Llanfachreth & Ricky Francis of Talyllyn who completed the event in respective times of 1hr 11.53mins, 1hr 13.35mins & 1hr 13.38mins. The sole Bro Dysynni representative at the event was Richard Griffiths, the Tywyn based athlete home in a time of 1hr 16.45mins, ahead of his Meirionnydd counterparts, Kevin Evans of Brithdir and Nich Bradley of Dolgellau, finishing in times of 1hr 18.50mins & 1hr 20.20mins. The first female finisher affiliated to Meirionnydd was Catherine Raine, the Arthog-based athlete producing an impressive debut for the club as she finished in a time of 1hr 28.17mins. There was also a strong finish from Kathy Iffla of Tywyn, home in 1hr 30.04mins, ahead of a further trio of Meirionnydd athletes in the guise of Jude Evans of Bryncrug, home in 1hr 41.01mins, Emma Davies of Dolgellau, home in 1hr 45.22mins & Christine Owen, also of Dolgellau, home in 2hrs 06.33mins.

Prior to the Llanfachreth event, a further six locally affiliated athletes headed to Abergele, their chosen event being the Spillane & Co. Wealth Management Abergele 5, the event also chosen to host the 2011 North Wales 5 Mile Road Race Championships. The 1st of the locally affiliated athletes home on this occasion was John Tee of Blaenau Ffestiniog, the Bro Dysynni athlete home on a time of 41.23mins. The 2nd of the four Bro Dysynni athletes home was Brenda Jones, the Llanelltyd-based athlete also claiming North Wales Championship success in the Female Over-70 category, producing a storming finish to win her age category in a time of 44.04mins. The two Meirionnydd Running Club athletes in action then followed, Emma Davies, also in action at Llanfachreth, finished in 44.22mins with club colleague, Barrie Jackson of Bala, following in a time of 48.00mins. Two further Dysynni athletes completed the local turnout, the Dolgellau-based duo of Marit Evans & Sheila Symonds finishing in times of 51.08mins and 1hr 08.26mins, the latter also claiming North Wales Championship status, on this occasion within the Female Over-75 category.

In the Junior Male event, there was another solid performance produced by Alex Lanz of Dolgellau, on this occasion claiming a 7th placed finish in a time of 18.09mins.

There is local action this coming Sunday (13th) as Llanfachreth, near Dolgellau, will play host to the 9th running of the Rhobell Fawr Fell Race. The 6 mile race which also includes an overall 1,900 feet of climbing is due off at 12.00 Noon. Further details relating to the event are available at www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk

A total of 12 athletes affiliated to either Meirionnydd Running Club or Bro Dysynni A.C. lined up in Llanberis last Saturday morning to form part of a field of 1,443 athletes participating in the 2011 Marathon Eryri / Snowdonia Marathon. Race victory in the 26.2 mile challenge was claimed by Rob Samuel of Eryri Harriers in an outstanding 2hrs 36.45mins, almost 2 minutes clear of race runner-up, Murray Strain (Hunters Bog Trotters), who finished in a time of 2hrs 38.39mins. The local dozen in action were led home by Ifan Richards, the 1st of the 9 Meirionnydd runners participating, claiming an overall 32nd spot finish as he crossed the finishing line in 3hrs 08.15mins. Club colleague, Adam Preston of Dolgellau, came home in a pulsating time of 3hrs 12.01mins before Dewi Roberts of Blaenau Ffestiniog led home the Dysynni trio in action at the event, crossing the finishing line in an excellent 3hrs 15.52mins. Two further Meirionnydd athletes followed in the guise of Kevin Jones of Dolgellau & Mark Atherton of Llan Ffestiniog in respective finishing times of 3hrs 16.50mins & 3hrs 38.56mins. Tom Jones of Aberdyfi was the 2nd Dysynni finisher in 3hrs 41.33mins with a further three Meirionnydd athletes following, namely Dylan Evans of Bryncrug in 3hrs 51.34mins, Tony Hodgson of Llanelltyd in 3hrs 58.14mins & Juliet Edwards of Dolgellau in 4hrs 01.49mins.

Rhian Jones of Aberdyfi completed the Dysynni trio home in a time of 4hrs 15.23mins, ahead of the remaining two Meirionnydd finishers, namely Kevin Evans of Brithdir and Pete Nicholls of Llanfachreth, home in respective times of 4hrs 49.12mins & 4hrs 51.05mins.

For one of the locally affiliated athletes highlighted above, namely Dewi Roberts, the Snowdonia event was his 2nd full marathon completed during the month of October having earlier in the month finished the MBNA Chester Marathon in an excellent time of 3hrs 07.12mins.

Finally, two seasoned campaigners affiliated to Bro Dysynni were also recently in action, their chosen event being the 7 mile Twin Peaks race held in and around Aberystwyth. In an event which took in the climbs of both Pen Dinas & Constitution Hill, there were age category victories for both Marj Griffiths of Aberystwyth & Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau, the former claiming victory in the Female Over-65 category in a time of 1hr 48.24mins, the latter victorious within the Female Over-75 category in a tremendous time of 1hr 59.12mins.

An absolute inspiration to his many colleagues and friends, Tom continues to inspire all with whom he comes into contact.
Happy Birthday Tom, an athletic genius!

Club members Richard Griffiths, John Tee and Marj Griffiths seen in action at the recent Trailworks / Garthyfog Log Cabins sponsored Penmaenpool 10.

Having claimed victory at the 2003 Ras Y Cader in Dolgellau and the 2005 Tarren Hendre Fell Race, Dylan Jones completed a triumvirate of race victories within Meirionnydd recently, as the Eryri Harrier was the first athlete to cross the finishing line at the 10th running of the Trailworks / Garthyfog Log Cabins sponsored Penmaenpool 10 Mile Trail Race.

Race victory was achieved in a time of 1hr 00.08mins, a clear 18 seconds ahead of 2nd placed athlete, Steffan Sayer of Menai Track & Field, who in turn was well clear of third placed Adam Preston, the Dolgellau athlete the 1st of the locally affiliated finishers, as the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete crossed the finishing line in a time of 1hr 03.23mins. The second of the ten strong Meirionnydd contingent to finish was Jamie Evans of Bryncrug, 5th overall in a time of 1hr 05.54mins, as well as claiming victory within the 'Junior Male' category and 'family bragging rights' ahead of father, Dylan Evans, who followed home in 8th place in a time of 1hr 10.04mins, a time which also ensured age category success within the 'Male Over-45' category. Ricky Francis of Talyllyn was the 4th Meirionnydd finisher to claim a top ten spot, 10th placed overall being secured in a time of 1hr 11.00mins. The fifth Meirionnydd finisher was Pete Nicholls of Llanfachreth in a time of 1hr 13.53mins with Richard Griffiths following, the Tywyn-based athlete leading home the Bro Dysynni A.C. trio in action at the event in a time of 1hr 18.21mins. Kevin Evans of Brithdir was the next local finisher, the Meirionnydd athlete home in 1hr 20.23mins, a little over 2 minutes ahead of the 2nd Dysynni finsher, namely John Tee, the Blaenau Ffestiniog athlete completing the event in 1hr 22.42mins. A further quartet of Meirionnydd athletes followed, in the guise of Jaqueline Fowler of Trawsfynydd in 1hr 29.43mins, Heidi Roden of Arthog in 1hr 32.44mins, Jude Evans of Bryncrug in 1hr 36.33mins & Jon Lloyd of Dolgellau in 1hr 41.21mins. The third of the Bro Dysynni finishers was the evergreen Marj Griffiths, the Aberystwyth based athlete claiming age category success within the 'Female Over-65' section as she came home in a time of 1hr 53.00mins.

Further details as well as entry forms will appear shortly on the Cerist Tri website

Early indications suggest that the race will be starting at 12.00 Noon on the above date.

~ The club's AGM will be held on Tuesday, 11th October starting at 7pm prompt. The changed venue will be 26 Ar Y Don, Tywyn

~ The cross country season will kick off in the Autumn, the 1st fixture of the season being held at Treborth, Bangor on Saturday, 1st October. Any club members wishing to take part are invited to contact Brenda on (01341) 421407 for further details.

~ The club will be hosting a social / fun run / walk early in 2012. The event is due off at 11am on Sunday, 8th January, 2012 from the Talyllyn Railway Car park.

Please do your best to support the above wherever possible.

We may not be the biggest club, but we are one of the friendliest!!!!!