Galway Celtic 100km Start/Welsh Team

IAIN'S GALWAY STROLL BY THE SEASIDE!

Eryri's Iain Ridgway made an encouraging debut for the Welsh Ultra Road Running team at the Celtic International 100km race in Galway Ireland on Saturday 28th March, with international teams from England, Germany, Ireland, Scotland as well as Wales taking part. Running on a mind boggling there and back 2km loop course along the seashore, and despite the weather being cold and breezy with the occassional sleet shower, Iain completed the race in 7:49:30 for 11th place overall, Iain had the added satisfaction of being the first Welsh finisher ahead of Buckley's John Pares 8:40:28. The race was won by renowned ultra runner Jez Bragg (England) in an excellent time of 6:58:00.

Well done Iain.

W/e 'local' running, 28/29 March ...

Sat 28 March, Llangynhafal Loop, AS 4.75m/1750ft, 13.00, Golden Lion Inn, Llangynhafal, Clwyd SJ 129 633, £4 EOD, M 38.26 F 52.33. www.wfra.org.uk.

Clocks go forward one hour early Sunday morning (one hour less under the duvet).

Sun 29 March, Wrekin race, AS 5.5m/1700ft, 11.00 BST (10.00 GMT), Ercall Wood school SJ 653 106, nr Telford. £4 EOD. M 34.27 F 40.47. Junior races. www.telfordathleticclub.co.uk.

WFRA Navigation Course, Sunday 29th March in Llanberis. Further details available from Ross Powell - E mail ross@wfra.org.uk.

Always bring: bumbag, map, compass, whistle, wind/waterproof top & trousers, hat & gloves.
E&OE, please make your own checks before travelling.

Advance notices:

Sat 4 April, Llantysilio AM 6.2m/2100ft, 11.00, Rhewl nr Llangollen.

Sunday 5th April, native woodland tree planting at Craig's house, Conwy Valley. 1500 small trees to plant, contact Craig if you can help rowlyn@yahoo.co.uk

Tuesday evening short race series begins with 'Moel Tryfan' 7.15pm, 7th April, from Bron Y Foel School, Y Fron, SH 508 548.

Sat 18 April, Ras y Moelwyn, 10m/2800ft, 14.00, Blaenau. EOD or ONLINE at http://www.anturstiniog.com/english/ras-y-moelwyn-2009.html

Eryri Harriers annual club membership runs from the end of March. If you would like to join, re-join or renew, please contact membership-eryri@tiscali.co.uk.

Outlook for Saturday / Rhagolygon ar gyfer Dydd Sadwrn
Bright with sunny spells and scattered or isolated snow showers. Strong to gale force winds at first over the summits with a significant wind chill, gradually easing. The freezing level well down.

Outlook for Sunday / Rhagolygon ar gyfer Dydd Sul
Mainly dry and bright. Freezing level below the summits. Mainly moderate winds.

Snowdonia Mountain Forecast: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia.html

Welsh 10k Championships

Rob Samuel set a new PB of 31:46 in the Welsh 10k road running championships held at the Atlantic College Llantwit Major on Sunday 22nd March, Rob who was representing North Wales in the Inter Area match finished 5th overall to claim the Welsh Bronze medal to go with his Welsh XC bronze, also representing North Wales Eryri's Brendan Rothery finished 13th in 33:26 with 26th Paul Wathan 35:05 having the satisfaction of winning the Welsh U23 Gold medal while Gemma Morgans finished 153rd (15th S/F) in 43:49. There were a record 474 finishers in the race.

Moel Wnion 2009 results

http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/results/race09/09_moel_wnion.html

Well found by Ali Chant!

By looking at these results I guess that either there is something in the water supply of North Wales fell runners or simply that its a much faster route without that short climb on the road to begin with - shame, though you never know perhaps that hard training has reaped dividends for everyone!

British Masters XC Champs Ruthin

There was a small contingent from Eryri at the British Masters Cross Country Championships at Ruthin on Saturday 21st April. First off was our solo female Annie Williams who finished 31st in the all ladies 6km masters race in 26:20. there 79 finishers.

Next off were the 50+ masters men with Arwel Lewis finishing the 8km race 38th in 33:27 followed by 80th Don Williams 35:48 and 83rd Emyr Davies 36:05. There were 113 finishers.

Our solo representative in the 35-49 race was Steve Livett who's position/time is not in.

Ras yr Aran 2009

In what looked like superb conditions, race records were smashed in this years Aran race. Eryri's Richard Roberts looked to have another incredibly close with Tim Davies, finishing only 8 seconds behind Tim in 1.23.34, whilst both smashed Lloyd Taggart's record by 8 minutes! Jackie Lee's record was also beaten by Kate Bailey of Meirionnydd by 7 minutes.

Other Eryri victors were Adam Haynes 1st vet 50 in 1.38.42, Andrea Roberts 3rd female in 1.46.07, Mike Blake 1st vet 60 and Maggie Oliver 1st ladies vet 60.

Results are here:

http://www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk/downloads/aran_09.pdf

This was also last in the Winter Series so:

1st senior man: Rich Roberts - new record
1st vet 40: Paul Howarth
1st vet 50: Adam Haynes
1st vet 60: Mike Blake

1st ladies vet 60: Maggie Oliver

Gwynfor's photos below:

http://picasaweb.google.com/gwynforjames/RASYRARAN?authkey=Gv1sRgCMvm66v8w5WzkwE&feat=email#

W/e 'local' running, 21/22 March ...

Sat 21 March, Ras Yr Aran, AM 10m/2500ft, 13.00, Eagles Inn, Llanuwchllyn, Bala. £4 EOD, OS 124, SH 880 297, M 1:31, F 1:48. Plus Junior/Short fell 2m/500ft race. Race map http://www.run-meirionnydd.co.uk No dogs.

Always bring: bumbag, map, compass, whistle, wind/waterproof top & trousers, hat & gloves.

Sunday 22nd March 2009. Start 11.00a.m. Celyn Multi-Challenge Adventure Race. Welsh College of Agriculture, Northop CH7 6AA Multi Lap Course, approx. 2.5miles/lap Over 16 Course highlights; Tunnel, Mud Pits, Waterfall, Bat Cave. Entry fee £7 Proceeds to Air Ambulance. Organiser: John Morris Tel 01352 755198.

Sunday March 22nd, Gweryd Gallops (info marygillie1@yahoo.co.uk). Hideways Café, Gweryd Fishing Lakes, Llanarmon-yn-Ial (www.gwerydlakes.co.uk). Children’s fell runs 6-13 years (0.5-2.0 miles), 11.30. Senior fell race (16 yrs and over), 13.15.

Advance notices:

Sat 28 March, Llangynhafal Loop, AS 4.75m/1750ft, 13.00, Golden Lion Inn, Llangynhafal, Clwyd SJ 129 633, £4 EOD, results www.wfra.org.uk.

WFRA Navigation Course, Sunday 29th March in Llanberis. Further details available from Ross Powell - E mail ross@wfra.org.uk

Sunday 5th April, native woodland tree planting at Craig's house, Conwy Valley. 1500 small trees to plant, contact Craig if you can help rowlyn@yahoo.co.uk

Tuesday evening short race series begins with 'Moel Tryfan' 7.15pm, 7th April, from Bron Y Foel School, Y Fron, SH 508 548.

Sat 18 April, Ras y Moelwyn, 10m/2800ft, 14.00, Blaenau. EOD or ONLINE at http://www.anturstiniog.com/english/ras-y-moelwyn-2009.html

Eryri Harriers annual club membership runs from the end of this month. If you would like to join, re-join or renew, please contact membership-eryri@tiscali.co.uk

Outlook for Saturday / Rhagolygon ar gyfer Dydd Sadwrn, Dry with long sunny spells, but some low cloud and mist may spread in from the northwest later. Moderate northwesterly winds. Freezing levels above summits.

Outlook for Sunday / Rhagolygon ar gyfer Dydd Sul, Turning cloudier with perhaps a few spots of drizzle. Freshening westerly winds. Freezing level above summits.

Snowdonia Mountain Forecast: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia.html

Moel Wnion 2009

As results won't be out for months!!, I'll try a quick report.

Good weather with a stiff breeze meant a quick race though a new start and finish at the outdoor centre meant a different set of times, although race was probably the same length the initial climb had been removed, therefore I'd guess a quicker route?

Anyway as I recall it was a win for Brendon Taylor of Rossendale with Math Roberts 2nd and a welcome return for Alun Vaughan in 3rd. Paul Jenks a good 2nd vet 40 behind Geran Abergele and Russell Owen in 3rd. A superb win and run by back in fast form SPJ in the vet 50's with Iwan Edgard 2nd vet 50, and another win for supervet Don W in the 60's. In the ladies Andrea R and Becky Law were 1st and 2nd, with Annie Williams, I think, first vet 40 and supervet Maggie Oliver first vet 60.

Cheers James McQ once again!

Pensby Tuff Nutz 2009

Weeekend before last an Eryri makeshift team of Rich Roberts, Tim Higginbottom and Math Roberts were 'entered' into this 'endurance race' by Gilbo of Wrexham Tri AND 'Team Inov8'...........Gilbo was meant to run but an injury meant a last minute call up for Rich. Gladly we managed to change the team name to an Eryri team as Gilbo had entered us as 'Team Inov8'....no way!!!.....................................anyway an interesting 11 mile race on the Wirral, 8 'tuff tasks' mental and physical plus carrying a fence pole for whole route......second task was probs most interesting - crawling through a mud pool, whilst other tasks included some 'tricky' rock hopping, bucket filling, anagram solving and number counting. We finished in something around 1hr 32mins, 1st place and a new record by 20 odd minutes. Interesting day and reccomended if you want a laugh - don't bother if you don't or can't laugh!

More info on this link:

http://www.pensbyrunners.co.uk/contact.html

ERYRI'S MEN BACK ON TOP

Eryri's men responded like true champions overturning a 99 point deficit to win the 4.5 mile penultimate Border League fixture at Deeside on Sunday 15th March with four of their runners finishing in the top five places led by champion elect Rob Samuel who has won all five Border league races that he has run in, Rob won in a time of 22:45 followed by club mate Richard Roberts who found the hilly course to his liking with a time of 23:26, then came Matthew Roberts in 4th 23:54 despite his excursions the previous day in finishing 2nd in the Moel Wnion mountain race. 5th Brendan Rothery 23:59. 13th Iain Ridgway 24:47. 23rd (despite a heavy cold) Paul Wathan 25:32. 35th (Talisman) Paul Howarth 26:09. 38th (after working a night shift) Tony Woodall 26:11. 66th Arwel Lewis 27:16. 96th Christoph Gertler 28:30. 102nd (in his 50th B/L race) Steve Livett 28:45. 105th Ashley Wager 28:54. 123rd (1st Vet65) Another who ran in the Moel Wnion race the previous day in winning the M/V60 category, super vet Don Williams 29:56. 132nd (2nd Vet65) Emyr Davies 30:31. 143rd Peter Lewis 31:07. 148th Ian Rothery 31:15 and 157th (bus driver) Mervyn Williams 31:32. In the overall individual standings: Rob Samuel leads the way with Brendan Rothery 2nd and Iain Ridgway 7th. Paul Wathan is currently 3rd U20/Male, Don Williams 1st Vet 65 and Emyr Davies 2nd Vet 65.
Eryri's men now have a 56 point lead ahead of Buckley with only the final race to go at Wrexham on Wednesday 29th April.
On the negative side! Eryri's women are destined for relegation back to Division 2 after only the one season in the first, though it is not all doom and gloom for our women with Sarah Ridgway on course to win the individual title which would be a first for Eryri, Sarah finished 75th overall, 1st Senior Lady in 27:35 with Gemma Morgans 162nd (2nd U20/L) in 31:40. Gemma is currently placed 2nd U20/L in the overall individual standings.
There were 256 finishers in the Deeside B/L race.

BORDER LEAGUE DEESIDE

The penultimate race of the 2008/09 season takes place at Connahs Quay this Sunday 15th March. 11am Start.
Though Eryri's men find themselves 99 points behind league leaders Buckley, there is still an outside chance of retaining our title along with a few individual honours, while our women are in danger of being relegated back to the 2nd Division after only the one season in the 1st. It all depends on our members turning out to support the club on Sunday and the final fixture in Wrexham next month.

There will be a mini bus for the Connahs Quay event leaving Parc Menai at 08:50am.
Contact Arwel Lewis: 07977 601029 for further details.

High Peak Marathon 2009

I ran the High Peak Marathon with a team from Glossopdale Harriers. Starting at 11:45 Friday night we ran around the 42 mile Derwent water shed traversing the peakland ridge, Win Hill, Stanage, Derwent Edge, Bleaklow in the dark and Kinder and Lords Seat early Saturday to finish second in 9 hrs 6 minutes, aided by expert local knowledge. Vasque North won in 8 hrs 48. After some early jostling for positions we led until the Snake summit (7 hrs in) when Vasque caught us and created the gap. Vasque South were 3rd. Great event. Results will be posted shortly: http://www.highpeakclub.union.shef.ac.uk/hpm/

by Iain Ridgway

COTSWOLD BETWS-Y-COED 20% DISCOUNT

Cotswold Royal Oak & Rock Bottom stores in Betws-Y-Coed have very kindly offered all Eryri Harriers members an extra 5% discount which would mean a 20% discount on most items for our members during the month of March.

A very generous offer.
Many thanks to Cotswold.

Moel Wnion race information

Sat 14 March, 'Ras Moel Wnion', 4m/1600ft, 13.00 Rachub, Bethesda. Please park by the 'swings' SH 623 682 and walk up to the * new Registration and Start *, the Tan-Y-Bwlch Outdoor Centre which the race passed after coming off the tarmac at the top of the lane, SH 627 682. Cars will NOT be allowed to park out side the centre! You can change and leave your bag at the centre. * Finish * also at the Centre.

W/e 'local' running, 7/8 March ...

Sat 7 March, 'Pipe Dream', 5m/1700ft, 12.00 Dolgarrog, Conwy Valley. Dolgarrog Community Centre (GR SH 796 676). If you left any thin running gloves at Moelyci, please claim them at Pipe Dream.

Advance notices:
Sat 14 March, 'Moel Wnion', 4m/1600ft, 13.00 Rachub, Bethesda.
Nr the Royal Oak. Rachub. (GR SH 623 683).

Sun 15 March, Orienteering, Glynllifon, CATI, yellow, orange, starts 10.30 to 12.00. SH 452 554. Take the A487 south from Caernarfon, then the A499 Pwllheli road, turn left through 'Lion' gateposts after 2 miles.

Sat 21 March, Yr Aran, 10m/2500ft, 13.00, Llanuwchllyn, Bala.

Sat 28 March, Llangynhafal, 5m/1750ft, 13.00, Clwyd.

WFRA Navigation Course, Sunday 29th March in Llanberis.
Further details available from Ross Powell - E mail ross@wfra.org.uk.

Tuesday evening short race series begins with 'Moel Tryfan' 7.15pm, 7th April, from Bron Y Foel School, Y Fron, SH 508 548.

Sat 18 April, Ras y Moelwyn, 10m/2800ft, 14.00, Blaenau. EOD or ONLINE.

Eryri Harriers annual club membership runs from the end of this month. If you would like to join, re-join or renew, please contact membership-eryri@tiscali.co.uk

Snowdonia Mountain Forecast
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia.html

PRESENTATION EVENING

Angela-Emily-Arwel
Emily receives the Angela Carson Award

Chris Near/Angela/Arwel/Tim Higginbottom
Chris & Tim's Most Oustanding Athlete/s Award

Angela and Richard Roberts (Mountain & Cross Country Champion)

The Eryri Harriers presentation evening held at Y Caban Brynrefail on Friday 27th February, (despite their being no TV for the rugby!!) turned out to be a very successful and enjoyable occasion, with sincere thanks to our guest of honour and ex Eryri Harrier, four times British Mountain Running Champion Angela Brand-Barker (nee Carson) who travelled down from the Lake District to present the awards, a thank you also to everyone who helped organise the event, Inigo Jones Groeslon for the specially made slate awards and of course, the Caban staff for the excellent food and strong beer!!