Friday 31 July 2009

*CYLCHLYTHYR/NEWSLETTER*

Mae'r Cylchlythyr diweddaraf wedi ei anfon allan pythefnos yn ol i'r rhai sydd wedi dewis derbyn un trwy'r post yn hytrach na'i ddarllen ar ein gwefan. Os nad ydych wedi derbyn un, ac eisiau un trwy'r post, gadewch i fi wybod.
The latest Newsletter has been sent out a fortnight ago to those who have chosen to receive one thro' the post rather than reading it on our website. If you have not received one, and wish to receive one thro' the post, please let me know.
Emyr Davies, Tel.: 01286 830651 membership-eryri@tiscali.co.uk .

W/e 'local' fell running, 1/2 August ...

Sat 1st August, Ras Y Garn, 3miles/1500ft, M: 26.05, F: 32.59. Rhyd Ddu. Start 13.00. EOD for Juniors, see WFRA website, below. Senior pre-entry closed, but a good one to watch as it is in the British Champs.

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

For the latest local running news, check this Eryri 'blog' site and WFRA

Advance notices:
Sat 8 Aug, Gladstone 9, AM, 9 miles/2800 feet, M: 1.16, F: 1.25, start 13.00, over 18. Gladstone Hotel, Dwygyfylchi, Penmaenmawr SH 729 772. EOD £4. see WFRA website.
Weds 12 Aug, Ponderosa, BS, 4 miles/950 feet. Start 19.00 Horseshoe Pass, see WFRA website.
Sat 15 Aug, Elidir Fawr, AS, 5 miles/2800 feet. Start 14.00, Nant Peris.
Sat 22 Aug. The Tavern. AM. 2.30 p.m. 9m/2900' from Lletty Farm, Llangwyfan, Denbighshire. £4. PM. Over 18. Details: Martin Cortvriend, Dol-y-Caeau, Llangynhafal, LL16 4LN. Tel: 01824 790534. Email: martincortvriend@yahoo.co.uk
(Lletty farm is at SJ 128 647 on the road between Llangwyfan and Llangynhafal.)

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

Weekend Mountain Forecast for Snowdonia
Saturday: Outbreaks of heavy rain and extensive hill fog at first, will soon clear then sunny spells with just a small risk of a shower.
Sunday: Dry and bright through the morning with sunny spells. Becoming cloudier later in the afternoon and during the evening with rain after dark. Light southwesterly winds.

Wednesday 29 July 2009

ROB'S TRIPLE SUCCESS

Eryri's Rob Samuel made it three wins in a week following up his wins at the Caernarfon Race The Train 5k last Wednesday and the Dolgellau 5 mile on Saturday Rob made it a treble in the tough 8.3 mile Aberdaron road & trail race on Wednesday 29th July in a time of 48:29 with Gwyn Owen 2nd in 50:22 and making it a clean sweep for Eryri in 3rd place Iain Ridgway 54:04 while Arwel lewis finished 5th 1st Male Over 40 in 56:35. Allison Donnelly finished 3rd female.
Overall a good turnout for the well supported event and it was fabulous to see so many youngsters taking part in the junior races with Bronwen Jenkinson a winner in the U16 race and the Donnelly sisters also among the prizes.

Monday 27 July 2009

Welsh Perimeter Charity cycle ride

Becki Law is shortly attempting to cycle around Wales and is seeking sponsorship, please read her message below:

"Starting on the 15th August I will be attempting to cycle the perimeterof Wales, starting and finishing in Bangor, Gwynedd. It is going to involve cycling approximately 800 miles, taking 8 days and I would like to raise just over £800. It would be fantastic if people could sponsor me - every little helps! My brother works in Vietnam for the charity 'Volunteers for Peace' (seehttp://www.vfp.org/vietnam.html) and so my target is £814.12 as this will be going to fund a new water pump for Bao Loc Disabled Farm inVietnam (see the attatched sheet for more details). Any extra money willdefinitely be put to good use! For example; £12 would buy a mattress inBao Loc orphanage. Also - if anybody would like to join me for any of the ride, they are more than welcome! I have attached brief details of my itinery. I will hopefully have to time to set up a facebook page with more details, fundraising and cycling progress."

Details on the project are available here:
http://eryriharriers.org.uk/pdfs/Bao%20Loc.doc

For those who wish to accompany Becki her itinerary is:

Welsh perimeter ride itinerary – 100 miles per day approximately:

Date
15th August Bangor to Gobowen (Rob’s house)
16th August Gobowen to Chapel End, Bucknall, near Knighton
17th August Chapel End, Bucknall to Cardiff Travelodge
18th August Cardiff Travelodge to Manorbier YHA, near Tenby, Pembrokeshire
19th August Manorbier YHA to Poppit Sands YHA, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire
20th August Poppit Sands YHA to Kings YHA, Dollgellau
21st August Kings YHA to Bangor

N.B. I will also be doing a circuit of Anglesey either before or after, depending on how things go!

My email address is: pep625@bangor.ac.uk, feel free to contact me regarding sponsorship or anything else!

Thank you for reading this :)

Sunday 26 July 2009

TOUGH DOLGELLAU 5mile WIN FOR ROB

Those thinking of a PB at the normally fast Dolgellau 5 Mile race on Saturday 25th July were disappointed to find that the course had been remeasured and lengthened! Instead of starting the race near the top of the hill, the race start was moved to the bottom and to cap it all there was a 400m diversion before the A470 which included running around a traffic cone! Add to that the exorbitant race day entry fee of £10 for attached and £12 for unattached runners it is no wonder more and more runners are turning to the fells and triathlons! Still the race was well organised and won by Eryri's Rob Samuel in a time of 26:16 well clear of runner up Luke Northall (Tipton) 27:49. Other Eryri placings/times: 10th (2nd MV/50) Arwel Lewis 30:52. 26th (1st MV/65) Don Williams 35:05 and 40th Mervyn Williams 37:44.
There were 112 finishers.

Saturday 25 July 2009

***RAS ABERDARON RACE***

Cadarnhad o'r manylion/Confirmation of details. Mercher/Wednesday 29/07/09 7 pm, Ysgol Crud y Werin, Aberdaron. Arwynebedd amrywiol/Multi terrain, 8.3m £5. Rasus plant yn cychwyn syth ar ol yr oedolion/ Children's races start immediately after adults'. Gallwch gerdded y cwrs/You can walk the course, Cychwyn/Start 6 pm. Golygfeydd gwych/Spectacular scenery. Trefnydd/Organiser Wil Jones 01758 760 450.

Thursday 23 July 2009

Râs y Tren Caernarfon Race the Train

The results of Wednesday night's race are available by following this link. Many apologies for any typos, which are due to double handling of entry information. Some names have spellings previously unknown to mankind, but Mr Blake will doubtless be able to placate disgruntled competitors.

No he wont,they should have written their names legibly! My!! moan was with those runners who hadnt pre-entered,ignored the "race full" signs and hung around like herring gulls waiting 2 pounce on anyone with their arms in plaster or saying the magic words,'my friend isnt coming',next year will be pre-entry only or £50 on the night,b warned!
Thanx 2 all the helpers again who judging by all the compliments recieved made it a success, the highland railway 4 juggling their timetable,Express Motors,Gwynedd Council,Inigo Jones,Gilly and Ioan @ Cofi Roc and Tesco 4 once again providing goody bags for the 30+ juniors.
A fine win 4 Rob overall but how close was Izzy?,1 second off the record , next year lass!.Fair play on Travis Perkins manager Andrew Craig who stepped in at the 11th hour to run with the blind Elfyn Evans recording 25.51 and helping the 'Travis Trotters' take the K2 case of beer for 1st non athletic team,thats what its all about! If u didnt get your coaster on the night i carry them with me so see me!

Tuesday 21 July 2009

MARK LEAR

The Eryri Harriers would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mark Lear who tragically died whilst competing in the Snowdon race on Saturday 18th July.

A report on Mark appeared in the north Wales edition of the Liverpool Daily Post this week

Friday 17 July 2009

A message from Sara Wilson - The Fresh Air Fund

The Fresh Air Fund is still looking for runners and sponsors to join our Fresh Air Fund-Racers team for the NYC Half-Marathon on August 16th.

This is a great way to participate in NYC's premier summer road race while helping Fresh Air Fund children. Please feel free to use anything from our site here:http://freshair.org/racers

Last summer's NYC Half-Marathon was a huge success and the Fresh Air Fund-Racers raised more than $125,000. We are also still in need of Friendly Town hosts for next month. Host families open their hearts and home to a NYC child who would not otherwise have the opportunity to escape the hot, crowded city streets.

Thank you so much,
Sara Wilson,The Fresh Air Fund sara@freshair.org
www.freshair.org

Thursday 16 July 2009

Geran Hughes running the Welsh 3000s for charity

Abergele Harriers Club Chairman, Geran Hughes will be running the Welsh 3000s for "Autism" on Saturday 15th August, starting at 10am at the Pen Y Pass and finishing 6-8 hours later on Foel Fras in Carneddau, 27 miles later having completed 13,000 feet of climbing. Any runner who would like to run any part with him is very welcome, or who would like to support him along the way please contact Geran or Angie.

W/e 'local' fell running, 18/19 July ...

Someone left an Eryri vest tied to the gazebo at the registration desk at Tal y Fan. Call 01492 650255 to arrange its return.

Sat 18 July, Ras yr Wyddfa. Registration for juniors (U10-U18, open to all) at the Ganolfan or Electric Mountain, start 2.05pm. Senior entries closed, www.snowdonrace.com
Sat 18 July, Ras Moel Siabod, AS, 2pm, 5.8m/2300ft, M: 44.52, F: 52.28. Carnival Field opposite Bryn Tyrch Hotel, Capel Curig SH 723 578, £4 EOD. Juniors over 10, £1. www.wfra.org.uk

Wed 22 July, GreenGreen Grass of Home. AS. 7.30p.m. 5m/1500' from Golden Lion (SJ 129 633), Llangynhafal, Denbighshire. £4. PM. Over 16. Details: www.wfra.org.uk Martin Cortvriend, Tel: 01824 790534. Email: martincortvriend@yahoo.co.uk

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

For the latest local running news, check this Eryri 'blog' site: and WFRA

Advance notices:
Sat 25 July, Push-Up-The-Pincyn, BM, 2pm, 6m/1300ft, from Clawddnewydd (SJ 085 527). £3, over 16. Neil Coppack 07791 432 612, 01824 750666.
SAT.AUG 22. THE TAVERN. AM. 2.30 p.m. 9m/2900' from Lletty Farm, Llangwyfan, Denbighshire. £4. PM. Over 18. Details: Martin Cortvriend, Dol-y-Caeau, Llangynhafal, LL16 4LN. Tel: 01824 790534. Email: martincortvriend@yahoo.co.uk
(Lletty farm is at SJ 128 647 on the road between Llangwyfan and Llangynhafal.)

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

Weekend Mountain Forecast for Snowdonia
Saturday: Sunny spells and often dry but with some scattered moderate or briefly heavy showers likely mainly in the afternoon.
Sunday: Sunny spells and mainly dry but scattered light to moderate showers likely especially in the afternoon and early evening. Good visibility but strong westerly winds at higher levels.

Monday 13 July 2009

TAL Y FAN RACE


It was one of those " Where did he come from, who is he moments" at the Tal Y Fan race on Saturday 11th July where Dark Peak's Matthew Speake smashed the course record to leave everyone else trailing to win in 65:03, 1:57 inside the old course record.

The expected heavy rain held off for most of the day to produce excellent though, humid racing conditions for the 49 runners who set off from the carnival field up the steep road leading onto the hillside, while most of us were still on the road, Matthew Speake was already on his way up Tal Y Fan! Chris Near had a good warm up for the Snowdon race to finish 2nd in 73:10 with James McQueen showing signs of getting back to some sort of form as he approaches the veteran ranks! a close 3rd in 73:36 while SPJ & Arwel continued with their own race for the MV/50 prize with Steve finishing 4th in 75:28 and Arwel 5th in 75:59. Neil Elias was 1st MV/40 in 80:49. Mike Blake 1st MV/60 in 98:46 & Ron Bird 1st MV/70 in 2:14:05.

Andrea Rowlands was a clear winner in the female category with a time of 80:34.

Despite the poor turn out, an excellent event thanks to Doug/Helen Blair and all their crew.

Wasdale


Due to injuries, illness and fear of running a proper fell race it ended up with just me turning out to run this lakeland classic which was a counter in this years English Champs. 21 miles, 9000ft of ascent, it's a real sod of a race which I found a lot harder than the Peris, or even Jura. The long gradual climbs just didn't suit me. In the heat I toiled, maybe feeling the effects of pacing Tim's PB run, and cramp set in after 2 hrs. I finished 17th (my highest championship finish), but in a time of 4:29, quite a bit down on what I expected though. Really good race though, well organised with a good night in the pub to finish the day off. the only other Eryri runner was Jackie Lee who dropped out early on feeling out of sorts.
Rob Jebb won in a storming time of 3:45 or so, with Pippa jackson first woman in 4:38.

Sunday 12 July 2009

PLA Landerneau Visit

Pob yn ail flwyddyn, rydym yn ymweld â'n ffrindiau yn Landerneau, gefeilldref Caernarfon. Eu tro nhw yw hi'r flwyddyn yma i ymweld â Chaernarfon ag i gymryd rhan yn Râs yr Wyddfa. Byddant yn aros yma o nos Iau tan gynnar bore Llun ac yn cymryd rhan mewn gwahanol gweithgareddau sydd wedi eu trefnu gan Pwyllgor Gefeillio Caernarfon a Chlwb
Rhedwyr Eryri. Dyma'r amserlen yn frâs:
Dydd Gwener - taith ar y trên bach o Gaernarfon i Waunfawr, cinio yn Antur Waunfawr ac yna mynd ymlaen i Feddgelert. Y Pwyllgor Gefeiillio sydd wedi trefnu hyn.
Dydd Sadwrn - Râs yr Wyddfa ac wedyn swper a'r seremoni wobrwyo yn Y Fic yn Llanberis
Dydd Sul - Agoriad swyddogol Y Maes yng Nghaernarfon. Gweithgareddau awyr
agored,stondinau a.y.y.b. Taith cwch ar y Menai ac wedyn beicio ar hyd Lon Eifion i
Gweithdai Llechi Inigo Jones, neu'r Tyn Llan yn Llandwrog (dibynnu ar y tywydd).
Dewch i wneud ffrindiau newydd! Y mae croseo i chi ymuno â ni ar y beics Dydd Sul -
cysylltwch â Wills ar 07777 694283 i gadarnhau. Cofiwch gyfarch a chefnogi'r rhedwyr
sy'n cystadlu Dydd Sadwrn!

One of Eryri Harriers' twin clubs, PLA athletic club of Landerneau (Caernarfon's twin town), will be visiting us on Snowdon Race weekend. They will be taking part in various activities between late Thursday evening and very very early Monday morning. These activities have been jointly organised by Caernarfon's Twinning Committee and Eryri. Here's a broad summary of the agenda:
Friday - train journey from Caernarfon to Beddgelert, calling at Antur Waunfawr for
lunch (organised by the Twinning Committee).
Saturday - Snowdon Race, evening meal and Award Ceremony at the Royal Victoria Hotel
Sunday - Official Opening of the Maes in Caernarfon. Open-air activities, stalls etc.
Eryri will then be taking the group on the Menai Straits Cruise (weather permitting) and
then on a cycle ride along Lon Eifion to Inigo Jones Slate Works near Penygroes, or to
the Tyn Llan pub in Llandwrog (again, weather permitting).
Come and make some new friends!

You are welcome to join us on the bike ride on Sunday and you don't even need to be able to speak French. - please contact Wills on 07777 694283 if you are interested in joining us. Also give them a big welcome on Saturday and cheer their runners competing in the Snowdon Race.

Thursday 9 July 2009

Cardiau Cofrestru/Registration Cards

Athletau Cymru yn dal i gael trafferth efo peiriant argraffu'r cardiau; bydd oedi pellach cyn eu dosbarthu.
Welsh Athletics still have problem with card printing machine; there will be a further delay in distribution.

Ras Ffordd a Ffridd,Aberdaron

29/07/2009 8.3m O/From: Ysgol Crud y Werin, Aberdaron, 7pm. Arwynebedd amrywiol/Multiterrain. Hefyd rasus plant/Also children's races. Tel. 01758 760450.

W/e 'local' fell running, 11/12 July ...

Sat 11 July, Ras Tal y Fan, AM, 8miles/2400ft, M: 67.00, F: 79.35. Rowen Carnival Field SH 759 719. Reg 12.30, Start 2pm, £3.50 EOD. Helen Blair 01492 650255.

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

For the latest local running news, check this Eryri 'blog' site and WFRA

Advance notices:
Sat 18 July, Ras yr Wyddfa. Registration for juniors (U10-U18, open to all) at the Ganolfan or Electric Mountain, start 2.05pm. Senior entries closed, www.snowdonrace.com
Sat 18 July, Ras Moel Siabod, AS, 2pm, 5.8m/2300ft, M: 44.52, F: 52.28. Carnival Field opposite Bryn Tyrch Hotel, Capel Curig SH 723 578, £4 EOD. Juniors over 10, £1. www.wfra.org.uk

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

Weekend Mountain Forecast for Snowdonia
Saturday: Overcast and wet throughout the day, with extensive hill fog. The rain heavy at times, and accompanied by a strong southwesterly wind. Feeling rather humid.
Sunday: After a rather cloudy start, it should soon brighten-up from the west, although a few showers will follow from the west during the afternoon and evening. Feeling cool in a brisk west to southwesterly breeze.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Pedol y Rhinogydd 2009




One of Wales' classic long fell races took place on Saturday down in the village of Llanbedr near Harlech. The Rhinog Horseshoe is a boisterous 15.5 miles with 5200feet of climbing and takes in the gnarly Rhinog Fawr, the relatively tame Rhinog Fawr, the soft Llethr and the deceivingly dodgy Moelfre. If any route needs reccying then this is the one and even though I'd reccied it 47 times over the last year I still managed to lose 5 minutes 28 seconds by taking an awful line off Rhinog Fawr down to Bwlch Drws Ardudwy.

The severity of the course was once again reflected in entry numbers - only the "true" mountain runners of Wales turned up for this one. There were only 39 finishers with two non-finishers, unfortunately one of those being Eryri's Maggie Oliver who pulled out due to a hand injury en-route. Moelfre took a scalp by leaving 12 stitches required on the head and a number on the leg of a Dark Peak runner. Another Dark Peak runner - Matt Hulley managed to finish the race in reverse as he ended up near Barmouth. The photos are a classic reflection of the race as 3 Eryri runners approach the last checkpoint coming off Moelfre from completely different directions! Other incidents were the 'marshalls' on Rhinog Fach directing runners straight off and down the most inaccessible scree slope in history and in the meantime losing 30 minutes whilst Frances Uhlman was lucky to come out with shoulders intact following a 15 foot slip on dodgy Moelfre.

Race winner was Martin Shaw of Mynydd Du breaking Lloyd Taggarts 2006 record of 2.50 with 2.41.

Eryri finishers were:

Math Roberts 2nd, 2.47
Scott Butterworth, 4th, 3.14
Paul Jenks, 6th, 3.16
Arwel Lewis, 8th, 3.20
Rory O'Donnell, 11th, 3.27
Ed Harmer, 12th, 3.28
Andrea Roberts - 1st lady and 16th overall, 3.42
Don W 25TH, 3.51
Ali Thomas - 1st vet 40 lady, 26th, 3.57
Alwyn Oliver, 28th, 3.57
Mike Blake, 29th, 4hrs
Emyr Davies, 33rd, 4.25
John Harold, 36th, 4.36

Definitely a race that everyone has to do once!

Results: www.wfra.org.uk
Photos: www.prdouglas.co.uk and www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk

Tuesday 7 July 2009

MANCHESTER RUNNERS UP SPOT FOR ROB

Eryri's Rob Samuel did well to finish 2nd in the City of Manchester 10k? on Sunday 5th July, though Rob was not very happy with his time of 32:47 the course did seem to be long, it might have been the two laps of the track at the start of the race with 1,622 runners trying to get round!

Race Fixtures

BORDERS ROAD RUNNING LEAGUE 2009/10

Sun 18th October 2009 - HELSBY
Sun 15th November 2009 - WALLASEY
Sun 3rd January 2010 - TATTENHALL
Sun 14th February 2010 - ABERGELE
Sun 14th March 2010 - WRECSAM TRI
Sun 11th April 2010 - PRESTATYN
Wed 28th April 2010 - DEESTRIDERS
All races start at 11am except for the last event which starts at 7:15pm.

NORTH WALES CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE 2009/10

Sat 26th September 2009 - COLWYN BAY
Sat 10th October 2009 - LILLESHALL
Sat 21st November 2009 - BANGOR
Sat 16th January 2010 - WREXHAM
Sat 6th February 2010 - OSWESTRY

WELSH INTER REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sun 13th December 2009 - EAST WALES

NORTH WALES CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sat 9th January 2010 - NORTHOP?


NORTH WALES JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE 2009

Sat 26th September - COLWYN BAY
Sat 10th October - NORTHOP
Sat 31st October - WREXHAM
Sat 21st November - BANGOR

Monday 6 July 2009

UK Trail Running Gold for Scott and Don

Sialens y Barcud Coch (Red Kite Challenge) at Nant yr Arian, mid-Wales, on 20th June, incorporated the UK Short and Welsh Trail Running Championships. All 3 Eryri runners returned with medals. Eryri Results: 5 Scott Butterworth 1.23.25 (1st M35, UK & Welsh), 20 Don Williams 1.36.04 (1st M65 UK & Welsh), 25 Maldwyn Evans 1.38.39 (3d M45 UK & Welsh). Full results on www.onlineraceresults.co.uk/main1.htm

Prestatyn Riverbank Run/Eddie Faure 10k, 21st June

Eryri runners unless otherwise stated. 1 Brendan Rothery 33.52, 2 Lee Jones, Deeside AC 34.10 (both breaking the old record), 24 Emyr Davies 42.21 (1st M65), 29 Richard Borne 43.18, 54 Mark Dakeyne 46.03, 85 Roy Jardine 51.25 (2nd M60).

Thursday 2 July 2009

BEN NEVIS RACE ACCOMODATION

I've provisionally booked the Alex McIntyre hut near Fort William again for 5-10 runners but need to confirm soon.

If you want to stay there for the Friday and Saturday night it's £5.50 per night per person. Just a basic hut, cooking facilities, showers etc, well kitted out. About 10 miles from the race but a taxi back wasn't too much.

If you would like to book a bunk please contact me ASAP, iain.ridgway(at)bangor.ac.uk

Wednesday 1 July 2009