01/06/08
Social Events - Summer 2008
This years event dates and details are now on-line, see you in the sunshine!
30/05/08
Cader Idris Race
A sunny and blustery day with an easterly wind greeted the S4C camera crew
and the 192 runners for the main race sponsored by the Royal Ship Hotel. The
town square was packed with spectators for the start of the main race, and
the Barmouth Batala Samba drum band were rocking!
For the second year running Richard Roberts of Eryri won the main race, in
1.25.19, getting closer each time to Colin Donnely’s 12 year old course
record. In second, third and fourth were the Mercia trio of Andi Davies, in
1.26.04, Tim Davies, who was racing on the mountain for the first time since
winning the Wil Ramsbotham trophy as an under 18, in 1.28.05 , and Roland
Stafford in 1.30.49. First Junior man U/20 was Dafydd Ywain in 1.42.50, first
man O/40 was Steve Gilliland of Bro Dysynni in 1.35.43, first O/50 was Iwan
Edgar of Eryri in 1.42.50 and first O/60 was Colin Williamson of Shropshire
Shufflers in 1.57.17.
In the womans race a superb run by Janet McIver of Dark Peak not only saw
her win the ladies challenge but also finish 5th overall in the main race
in 1.35.39, just over a minute and a half outside of British International
Mary Wlikinsons 1996 course record and a £100 bonus prize! Second lady
was Claire Parker of Pennine in 1.52.25 and third was Lousie Barker of Aberystwyth
AC in 1.52.46. First lady O/40 was Celia Mills of Calder Valley in 2.13.27,
first O/50 was Ann Styles of Merionnydd in 2.48.05 and first O/60 was Eryri’s
Maggie Oliver in 2.25.02.
Other Meirionnydd RC finishers were Dave Whittey (1.50.21), Tony Hodgson (1.59.37),
John D.Smith (2.08.22), Nich Bradley (2.15.19), Juliet Edwards (2.19.31),
Victor Gretton (2.34.36), Tracey Evans (2.48.05) and Margaret Roberts (2.52.26).
A total of 85 children took part in the morning’s junior races with
Meirionnydd RC's Oliver Gallop winning the U/18 race.
Full results available on the Cader race website - see Links page.
06/05/08
(i)
Penmaenpool 10
This years Penmaenpool trail race will take place on Saturday 4th October
starting at 12 noon. The race will this year be sponsored by Trailworks Ltd,
and Garthyfog.co.uk (holiday accomodation, Arthog). Registration will be in
the Signal Box at Penmaenpool and entry's are available on-line now.
06/05/08
(ii)
Many many updates!
Sorry for the recent silence - have been off line for 5 weeks, thanks tiscali
!
Welsh Athletics Mountain Running Championships 2008 - Congratulation
to Kate Bailey who gave the club its first outright senior race victory recently,
coming home first lady at Ras y Moelwyn on 19th April, winning in a time of
1.36.27.
FLM - 5 club members completed this years London Marathon - Tony
Hodgson 3.25.50, Tracey Evans 5.05.40, Sue Nicholls 5.11.23, Christine Owen
5.16.33 and Kevin Woods 5.31.49, well done one and all.
Welsh Road Rankings 2007 - Two club members made it onto
the list for their age groups last year, Tony Hodgson, for his 41.24 (M55
<42 mins) 10k performance at Llandudno, and Pete Nicholls, for his 33.30
(M55 <35 mins) 5 mile result on home soil in Dolgellau.
23/03/08
Ras Yr Aran
A superb turn out of 116 runners headed to Llanuwchllyn for the Easter finale
of the Meirionnydd Winter Series. Adverse weather, in the form of gale force
winds and ice, led to the race being shortened - and no one complained, it
was that cold!! Tim Davies of Mercia pipped Richard Roberts of Eryri by a
mere second to win the race while Steve Gillilands 6th position on the day
was enough to secure him his first victory in the 3 race series. The ladies
race was won by Helen Fines of Calder Valley while Sarah Ridgway held on for
victory in the series. Results now available.
07/03/08
Race Fixture list now update
Fell and Road race dates March - June 2008 now available.
06/03/08
Race updates
Just a reminder that the final race in the Winter Series, Ras yr Aran, will
take place on Easter Saturday, 22nd March - current series results on-line.
There are 33 competitors still in with a shout of completing the series. Steve
Gilliland leads overall but only by 1min 20secs, while in the ladies race
Sarah Ridgway (nee Kleeman) appears to have an unasailable 20 min lead but
only 2 mins seperate the ladies in 2nd and 3rd.
The Dolgellau 5 mile race will take place on Saturday 26th July, entry forms available to download, and the date for the Penmaenpool 10 mile race will be announced as soon as the North Wales XC league have set their winter 2007/08 schedule at their AGM in April - but it is usually one of the first 2 Saturdays in October - pencil it in your diary!
02/02/08
Tarren Hendre Results
Whatever happened to the
snow? A superb day for the 65 runners in the main race to scale the heights
above Abergynolwyn. The overall winner was Steve Gilliland beating his own
vet O/40 record in the process. Other age category records were set by Chris
Taylor in the men O/50 section but the highlight of the day was seeing Maggie
Oliver of Eryri smashing local golden girl Brenda Jones O/60 record by a massive
16 minutes!! watch out over the next 12 months as Maggie hopefully ups the
standards for her new age group on the fells...... The results for the race
are now available on-line.
01/02/08
AGM, Ship Hotel Dolgellau
The clubs second AGM and
social evening will be held in the Ship Hotel in Dolgellau on Thursday 6th
March 2008, 1930 start. Please make every effort to attend and show your support
for the club and the committee
12/12/07
Christmas Party time!!!
Beat the post Christmas blues with the annual Running Club festive party,
this year to be held in the Dolgellau rugby Club on Saturday 12th January
2008 starting at 1930. Full licence, buffet and live music from the "Brass
Monkey's", all for a tenner!!!! Tickets available from any member of
the committee.
12/11/07
Rhobell Fawr Results
A pleasant enough day greeted the runners for this years race, with 70 competitors
heading out onto the hill. No new age records but a fine performance by vet
40 Steve Gilliland to win the race with Sarah Kleeman taking the ladies title
despite spraining her ankle on route! Results for the first race in this years
Winter Series now available on-line. The short/junior race was won by Danny
Evans of Brithdir with Bergitte Evans first girl.
13/10/07
Winter Race Series
Dates and race information for the 3 fell races in the Winter Series are now
on the website. Please note that the Aran date is still to be confirmed.
Age group records for the Penmaenpool 10 are also now online.
10/10/07
Penmaenpool 10 mile trail race
Results now on line. Race records will be updated shortly.
20/09/07
URGENT UPDATE - Penmaenpool 10
Please note that early editions of the race entry form had the incorrect address
AND phone number on them! If anyone has entered the race and not heard anything
please contact the Secretary, Pete Nichols, on 01341 450673 (note he is on
Holiday next week!??! sorry) or find his email address on the contacts page.
We're also happy to sort numbers out for those turning up on the day. Apologies
for any inconvenience. Registration will be in the old signal box in the car
park at Penmaenpool.
01/08/07
Penmaenpool 10 mile trail race
Entry forms for the Penmaenpool 10 mile race, Saturday 6th October 2007, now
available on-line.
01/08/07
Dolgellau Fast 'n' Furious Five Mile - Results on-line
A total of 90 runners turned out for the sixth running of the race. There
were many new faces at the event, a good number went away happy with pb's
and 5 age category records were broken!
21 juniors turned out for the short Fun Run, with Danny Evans of Dolgellau
winning the race in 3.56 with Sanant Evans of Bala first girl in 4.26.
30/07/07
Cotswold Outdoor discount
Cotswold are offering club members 20% discount off non sale items until the
end of August 2007. You will need to quote the club unique referance number,
contact Andrea for details.
18/06/07
Ras y Cysgod, Social Evening, Friday 22nd June 2007
Just a reminder that the above social will be taking place this coming Friday
night. Please park at Ty Nant car park and walk along to the Gwernan Lake
Hotel to start. Social walkers should meet at 1930 for a walk up to Llyn y
Gafr. Those interested in taking up the challenge of racing the sunset to
the top of the mountain must choose their own start time from the Gwernan
(self timed) with the aim of reaching the summit cairn on Cader before the
sun sets at 2152. Time from start to 2152 will be the time recorded for the
challenge with the shortest time winning.......but beware, arrive at the top
after the sun goes down and you score nil points! For further information
contact Tony 07789915488.
03/06/07
World Masters Athletic Championships, Bludenz, Austria, September 23rd 2007
Announcing a Meirionnydd Running Club trip to Austria in September.
An approx 10km uphill only Mountain Race in 5 year age groups from 35 years
upwards.
Full race details and registration forms can be found at http://www.berglaufteam.com/index
A group of us went to the same event in Switzerland in 2006, and it was a
hoot, meeting runners of all abilities from all round the World.
Flights can be booked, at a very reasonable rate at the minute from Ryanair,
flying from Stanstead to Friedrichstaffen in Germany.
There is loads of accommodation available in Bludenz, with everything from
camping to 5 star hotels, again details can be found on their incredibly good
website.
It is feasible to go for a long weekend, flying on the Friday and returning
on the Monday, or go for a full week, Wednesday to Wednesday, taking advantage
of the low fares!
Myself and Tony Hodgson have already booked our flights, so if you’re
interested give me a ring and I can fill you in with further details.
Graeme
31/05/07
Summer Training
Wednesday night
club training now back and in full swing making the most of the light nights.
Have a look at the training page for meeting venues over the Summer. Full
beginners and advanced groups each week.
30/05/07
Cader Idris race results available on the race website - see links page.
31/03/07
Dolgellau 5 mile Race
Entry forms now available on-line.
30/03/07
Aran Race Results
Another record turn out for the race saw 103 competitors run Meirionnydd's
highest peak in glorious spring sunshine. The race was won by Chris Waters
of Ambleside in 1.31.54, just 28 seconds outside the course record, with the
quickly improving Andrea Roberts of Eryri winning the ladies title in 1.50.29.
Age group records were set in both the male 0/40 and 0/50 categories. A thrilling
battle was seen in both the male and female sections of the Meirionnydd Winter
Series for the overall titles. Steve Gilliland took a 1 second lead into the
final race but was beaten on the day by nearly 2 mins by his closest competitor,
which saw Roland Stafford of Mercia take this years title, and a half Aran
Organic Lamb prize, in an overall time of 3.20.07. An even more dramatic finale
to the ladies series saw Phoebe Webster of Aberystwyth lose a near 10 minute
lead to Andrea Roberts of Eryri who beat her on the day and won the overall
series by a mere 39 seconds in 4.01.54. Full race results, course records
and Winter Series results now available on-line. The junior race was won by
Luke Burrows of Newtown in 16.40 with Sarah Thomas of Bala first girl in 20.32.
21/03/07
Many March Updates!!
Apologies for lack of recent updates....been moving house!
An upcoming Club event sees a Charity Auction, in the Ship Hotel, Dolgellau,
on Friday 30th March, 8pm, to raise funds for the 3 club runners raising money
for charity in this years FLM - pop along for a good night out.
This coming weekend (24th) sees the annual running of the Aran Fell Race,
entries on the day only, and true to form it's been snowing.....results wont
appear however till around the 30th - I'm off gallavanting again...hooorah!
The Monthly "Social Events" section has been updated and the venues
for the Wednesday "Training Nights" have been set for the rest of
2007...see appropriate page on the left....how jolly exciting!
A Club Trip to do the "Beachy
Head off road Marathon" in late October is being orgainsed by Tony, accomodation
included. Give him a ring for further details.
03/02/07
Tarren Hendre Results
One of the most amazing days for one of the most stunning fell races in this
part of Wales saw a record turn out of 95 runners take to the hills in glorious
spring sunshine. More than one runner commented on the "...****ing
stunning ****ing views from the summit", apparently you could "...see
for ****ing miles!". Now you can't ask for better adrenalin fuelled
praise than that! The ladies course record fell to New Zealand international
Anna Frost of Wrexham, while mens age records were beaten in both the 0/50
and 0/60 categories. Full results on-line now. The Short/Junior race was won
by Meirionnydd's Sarah Thomas of Bala in 13.58.
26/01/07
1st Birthday Party and AGM, St. David's Day, Thursday 1st March 2007
The Running Club Committee are pleased to announce that we will be holding
the Club’s First AGM, followed by an evening of chat and drinks to be
held in the Royal Ship Hotel, Dolgellau commencing at 1930. Please make every
effort to attend, we’ll try to keep the evening light and interesting
and it’s an ideal opportunity to meet other members of the club, find
out what’s going on, let us know what you’d like to see the Club
doing and generally have a nice social evening. We are also pleased to inform
members that the next edition of the Club Newsletter “The
Golden Goat” will be available for collection on the night
– so go on, turn up and save the Club Treasurer a postage stamp! Proposals/Motions
which members would like to have formally discussed at the AGM should be submitted
in writing to the club secretary at least 2 weeks before the meeting.
25/01/07
Lanzarote International Running Challenge - November 2007
Experience the holiday of a lifetime. Based at the World famous Sports Resort
of Club La Santa – Olympic sized heated outdoor pool, all weather running
track, free use of Cannondale MtB and Road bikes, fully fitted gym, squash
courts, vast range of daily free classes: aerobics, spinning, fitball, pilates
etc and most importantly – a week of WINTER SUN (www.clublasanta.co.uk).
For those of a more masochistic nature there are also 4 races over 4 days,
from a 5k beach run to a 23k cross island road race – why not try one
or two? Or you can always spend the week relaxing by the bar. Whatever you
do, it’s a guarantee’d friendly week with folk from all over Europe.
Cost approx £350-400 pp. For bookings or further information contact:
Graeme Stringer
07917 001173 but don’t hang about BOOKINGS CLOSE IN FEBRUARY, confirmation
of names required NOW………… Approx £170 deposit
required pp. ALL bookings subject to availability.
13/01/07
The Club festive party was held recently on 12th night at the Coed y Brenin
Forestry Commission visitor centre. Superb food provided by Bwyd y Brenin
and live music from Casino saw 60 members, friends and family grooving the
night away in the forest. Several members were last seen trying to launch
into orbit from the basket swing in the childrens play area, in torrential
rain, at midnight.......now that's a party!
10/01/07
The next club event is the Tarren Hendre Fell Race, on Saturday 3rd February
from Abergynolwyn near Tywyn. Register in the Railway Inn, race start 12 noon,
£4 on the day only. Full details under "Our Races".
04/01/07
The two club places for the FLM were drawn from a hat at the club social meeting
in mid December. The two lucky recipients were Tracey Evans and Frankie Vaughan,
good luck to them and all other club runners taking part in the event.
03/12/06
FLORA LONDON MARATHON - Any club members who wish to
go into a ballot to secure one of the two club places for the FLM should send
their official rejection forms to Pete, the Club Secretary, as soon as possible.
Please call him first to register your interest.
01/12/06
Lanzarote 2006 - For the seventh year in succession, a team of local athletes
from both Meirionnydd RC and Bro Dysynni AC visited the Canary Island of Lanzarote
to take part in the Club 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.
There were 8 athletes who completed the full challenge - Tony Hodgson
(MRC) 3hrs 29.17mins, Jos Jones (BDAC) 3hrs 38.58mins, Nich Bradley
(MRC) 3hrs 54.13mins, Frankie Vaughan (MRC) 3hrs 56.46mins, Robert
Thomas (MRC) 4hrs 13.50mins, Graeme Stringer (MRC) 4hrs 14.34mins,
Juliet Edwards (BDAC) 4hrs 14.34mins and HughHarrison (BDAC)
4hrs 38.36mins.
Another half a dozen local athletes took part in individual races as follows;
Alison Price (MRC) 10k and 13k races 2hrs 01.08mins, Ralph Burgess
(U/A) 13k ridge run 1hr 16.12mins, Gill Allday (BDAC) 10k race 1hr
15.21mins, Ben Buxton (U/A) 5k beach run 26.06mins, Andy Unwin
(BDAC) 5k beach run 34.13mins and Christine Stevens (BDAC) 5k beach
run 37.49mins.
Full results on the Club La Santa website.
17/11/06
The Running Club Festive meal will be held on Saturday 6th January in the
"Bwyd y Brenin Restaurant" in the Forestry Commission Visitor Centre
in Dolgefeilliau near Dolgellau. There will be an evening of live music, a
buffet and general good spirits all round. Tickets (£15) are strictly
limited (70 places) so contact Tony, the Social Secretary without further
delay........
12/11/06
A
total of 65 runners took part in this years Rhobell Fawr race, and the breezy
autumnal conditions saw course and age group records tumble and fall! Lloyd
Taggart of Dark Peak took over 3 minutes off Colin Donnelly's course record
finishing in 47.20 while his partner, Jackie Lee of Eryri, reduced her own
record over the course to 57.54. Age group records also fell to Gethin Edwards
of Eryri (Junior Man) 58.45 and Edward Davies of Mercia (0/50) shaving his
own record down to 55.01.
06/11/06
The Club had another successful weekend in the North Wales Championships with
Andrea Goode taking the Ladies 0/35 title in the Abergele 5 mile in 34.19.
18/10/06
Will Haynes recently competed for the Welsh junior team on the fells in Northern
Ireland coming home in a creditable 22nd position overall.
12/10/06
Results for the Penmaenpool 10 mile trail race are now available on line.
It was good to see some old and some new faces at the re-launch of this popular
trail race, missing for the last 2 years! The 2006 event was won by Mark Garratt
of RRC in 57.02 with local boys Alun Williams (Les Croupier - 57.22) and Steve
Gilliland (Bro Dysynni - 58.59) in second and third. The ladies race was romped
by Phoebe Webster of Aberystwyth who finished 8th over-all in 1.04.45. Dawn
Kenwright of Sarn Helen came second in a new 0/50 age category record of 1.11.22
with Kim Braznell of Westbromich 3rd in 1.14.53.
01/10/06
The next club fell race will be the first of the Winter Fell Series, Rhobell
Fawr, on Saturday 11th November. Full details on the relevant page. There
is also confirmation that the Tarren Hendre race will be on Saturday 3rd February
2007 to avoid clashes with the North Wales Cross Country League.
06/09/06
At the Caernarfon 10k road race last Sunday Andrea Goode (F-0/35) and
Tony Hodgson (M-0/55) gained the first North Wales Championship Medals for
the new club, winning their respective age catagories within the race. The
next North Wales Champs race is on 5th November at Abegele over a 5 mile course
- come and give it a go, it's a really nice social occassion no matter how
quick or slow you run! we'd love to see you there (see Andrea for entry forms)
16/08/06
Entry forms for the George III Hotel Penmaenpool 10 mile trail race now
available. As ever entries are restricted to 150 place only, and NO entries
will be taken on the day. Please get your entries forms in early!
29/07/06
The cool breeze and gentle rain helped a number of runners improve their
times in this years NJ Evans Dolgellau 5 mile race, with a number of new age
group records being set. Amanda Wright of Birchfield Harriers may have again
helped herself into the British 5 Mile Listings after reducing her own ladies
course record (set in 2005) to 26.48.
04/07/06
Results for club members who took part in the Eryri Tuesday Evening Fell
Race Series can be found at http://www.btinternet.com/~alantudur/rheryri/canlyniadau/2006/2006tes.xls,
a good time was had by all, and a good showing for Meirionnydd RC in it's
first season. Well done to all concerned.
28/06/06
If any club members have done any road races since March please let Graeme
know so he can update the club records.
07.06.06
The first official Club Race is coming up, the Dolgellau 5 Mile Road Race
on Saturday 29th July, one of the fastest 5 mile races you will ever come
across. The event forms part of the Dolgellau Rotary Summer Fair, and so there'll
be plenty to do for all the family - there's even a short fun run an hour
before the main event - so bring the kids trainers too!
05.06.06
Sports-Relief Mile Dolgellau Saturday, 15th July 2006. For further information
contact Gareth vchair@run-merionnydd.co.uk
28.05.06
Cader-Idris Results now available online at http://www.cader-race.co.uk
