Marathon Eryri 2009 / Snowdonia Marathon 2009

Once again the weather delivered for this year's Snowdonia marathon with most of the 1325 finishers experiencing the delight of heavy rain bursts and gale force torrents.

The excellently organised race proved a good day for the Eryri members. The race was won by Julian Macdonald of Chester Tri in 2.46.56. Eryri's Gwyn Owen had an excellent run to finish 2nd despite 3 falls on the final descent in 2.47.37 and with Math Roberts and Rich Roberts in 5th and 7th this gave Eryri men's the first team prize. In the ladies Andrea Rowlands had a superb run to come home 2nd lady in 3.17.22 and with Sarah Ridgway and Ali Thomas finishing well, Eryri's ladies picked up the team prize aswell. First local runners were running couple Iain and Sarah Ridgway of Nant Peris. And worth a mention is Eryri's Iorwerth Roberts who has ran every single Snowdonia Marathon, Iorweth finished in 5.35.30.

Results: http://www.tdl.ltd.uk/results.php?checked=1&race_id=272&submit=sent&submit_x=137

VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON 2009

We have four club entries for the Virgin London Marathon 25th April 2009. This year there will be an open ballot for all club members who wish to take part in the event at our annual Christmas Fun Run at Llanberis on Sunday 20th December 2009. We usually only accept London Marathon rejection slips for our club entries, but due to last year receiving a fraudulent rejection slip, this year's ballot will be open to all club members.

MORBEGNO ITALY

As part of our twinning arrangement with CSI Morbegno, the Eryri Harriers will be represented by a three man team in the 52nd Trofeo Ezio Vanoni Relay's in Morbegno Italy this Sunday 25th October. Brendan Rothery will be running the first leg followed by Arwel lewis on the 2nd with Gwyn Williams on the last leg.

Representing the Snowdon race team will be: Danny Hope, Ian Holmes and Murray Strain.

Full event report on their return.

Mountain Coaching Course

The Fell Runners Association in conjunction with UKAthletics will be holding a Fell/Mountain Running coaching Level 2 course on the weekend of 14/15th November 2009, We are looking for two or three members who are willing to attend and pass on the knowledge they will have gained from the course to club members in future training sessions, we are especially looking to encourage more junior athletes to take up the sport. The course and travel fees will be paid for by the club. Anyone interested please contact Arwel Lewis for further details.

COTSWOLDS OFFER

Get your Christmas shopping in early! Cotswolds of Betws Y Coed are very kindly offering a 20% discount to all Eryri Harriers club members throughout the month of November 2009.

W/e 'local' fell running, 24/25 October ...

Sat 24th October, Snowdonia Marathon, pre-entry only, start 10.30 Nant Peris. Men finishing in Llanberis around 1.00pm, women around 1.30pm. Spectators welcome around the course. www.snowdoniamarathon.co.uk

Sat 24 & Sun 25, OMM, Builth Wells / Elan Valley. Pre-entry only. Good luck to all local runners, live updates on www.theomm.com

Chris Near is looking for marshals for the Penmaenmawr Fell race on Sat 14 Nov (below). It passes through scenic areas of the Carneddau and Conwy Valley. If you are able to help, please contact Chris on 01492 621189 or pilarchris@tesco.net

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

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

Advance notices:
Sun 1 Nov, Clwydian Hills, 9m/3100ft, 11am Cilcain Village Hall SJ 177 653, New course, over 18, £5. Peter Taylor 07711 390 624.
Sat 7 Nov, Rhobell Fawr, 6m/1900ft, 12 noon, £4, Llanfachreth SH 756 225, Coed y Brenin. Tony Hodgson 07789 915 488.
Sat 14 Nov, Penmaenawr Fell Race 11m/1500ft Sat 10:30 am £5 * Pre entry only* at www.fabian4.co.uk Race details www.eryriharriers.org.uk
Sat 21 Nov, cross-country, Treborth playing fields, Bangor.
Sun 22 Nov, Wrekin Wrecker, details www.eryriharriers.org.uk

The next WFRA Navigation Course will be on Sunday 15th November in Llanberis, see WFRA site (above).

Cross-Country 2009/10: Nov 21 Bangor, Jan 16 Wrexham, Feb 6 Oswestry. North Wales Champs, Jan 9th.

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 weather
Saturday: It will be a cloudy day with occasionally heavy rain and widespread hill fog. South to southwest winds will be strong, perhaps gusting to gale force at times, especially over higher peaks and ridges.
Sunday: It will be brighter with sunny spells and scattered showers, perhaps heavy in the west especially. Southwesterly winds will be strong and gust to gale force near showers.

CYLCHLYTHYR HYDREF-OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

**PWYSIG** Mae'r Cylchlythyr diweddaraf 'nawr ar ein gwefan. Mae copi wedi'i anfon yn y post ers rhai diwrnodiau i bob aelod (ond D.Wh.T. a M.Y.) sydd wedi DEWIS derbyn un. Os nad ydych wedi derbyn un, ac eisiau un trwy'r post, gadewch i mi wybod.
**IMPORTANT** The latest Newsletter is now on our website. A copy has been sent by post a few days ago to all members (except D.Wh.T and M.Y.) who OPTED to receive one. If you have not received one, and wish to do so, please contact me.

Emyr Davies. membership-eryri@tiscali.co.uk 01286 830 651

CROSS COUNTRY UPDATE

A small but valiant band of club members made the long journey to Bridgnorth on October 10^th to keep the club in contention. The mens team were all veterans bar one and they were 6^th position on the day and overall, with the masters men team being 5th team on the day and overall. Russell Owen led the team home and was the third M50(by 3 sec!), Emyr Davies was first M65 and Don third M65. Ron Hird improved on his 5^th position in Colwyn Bay to come 3^rd in the M70 category.

The ladies team fared slightly better, being 3^rd team on the day, 2^nd position overall with the veterans team being 3^rd on the day and 4^th overall. Andrea Rowlands led the team home again finishing 8th, followed y Annie Williams (1^st W45 again), Wendy Trimble and Ellie Salisbury, with Sue Hughes being 2^nd W55.

Many thanks to Merfyn Williams for driving the minibus and then running.

Feedback wanted from the clubs about the suitability 0f the course and venue compared to Lilleshall.

There is also a new web site for cross country for results, notices and details of venues.

The site address is : www.northwalescrossc.webs.com

The Rhug Organic North Wales Cross Country Championship will now be held on Saturday January 30^th, 2010, and not as previously advertised. It will be held at the Rhug Estate, just to the west of Corwen on the A5.

The Welsh Athletics Championship will now be held on the weekend of February 20th/21^st.

2010 British Championships

It starts again. Dates for the diary. Same format as last year. 3 races to count, 1 from each distance.

10th April Slieve Binnian (Medium)
19th June Sedbergh 3 Peaks (Short)
31st July Dollar (Medium)
25th September Black Mountains (Long)

9 eiliad o'r medal efydd i dynion Eryri / 9 seconds from the bronze for Eryri's men

Once again the strength of Eryri's travelling clan was on show this weekend as only 1 of the entered 4 teams made it to the big fell running event showdown of the year - The UKA British Fell Relay championships.

This year the event was hosted by Cumberland fell runners up in the North West Lakes, which meant a long-ish journey for the ever present Eryri male sextet. The team was made up of new man Martin Cliffe, the Doc Sam Smith, Chris Near and the regular and reliable travelling trio of Rich Roberts, Iain Ridgeway and Math Roberts.

Rich gave the fella's an amazing start by coming home in 4th and only seconds behind 1st place Gareth Raven of Sale Harriers. Martin Cliffe and Iain Ridgway ran well on the paired second leg to bring the club home in 14th, by now the weather had come in and most of the route was thick fog. Luckily nav king Chris Near ran superbly with Sam Smith to bring the club back in 8th, the last leg was ran by Math Roberts who unbeknown to him was in 3rd place overall for most of the run (as the first 3 of Mercia, Bingley and Pudsey had all been disqualified). Unfortunately Math was passed on the final steep climb by Calder Valley which left the club finishing a mere 9 seconds off the bronze medal spot.

Still a good day out and once again the first Celtic club home!

Results: http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2009/BritishFellRelay/full_splits.html

CYNGHRAIR Y GORORAU - CANLYNIADAU. BORDER LEAGUE - RESULTS

Canlyniadau llawn ddoe ar eu gwefan. Cael trafferth creu linc. Rhowch BorderLeagueResults yn Google. Wedi cael i'r wefan, safiwch yn 'Favourites' er mwyn cael mynediad hawdd yn y dyfodol.
Yesterday's results on their website. Having problem creating link. Put BorderLeagueResults in Google. After accessing website, save in 'Favourites' for future easy access.

BORDERS LEAGUE CHRISTLETON

Eryri's Harriers men made an inauspicious start to the defence of their title in the first race of the 2009/10 season at Christleton on Sunday 18th October with most of their elite athletes competing elsewhere the team were placed 5th of the seven teams in the 1st Division with 902 points against them, a deficit of 549 points on early leaders Wirral. On the mainly flat 9.3km course the consistent Brendan Rothery ran very well to finish 2nd in 31:40 with: 42nd Arwel Lewis 35:15. 44th Chris Evans 35:25. 59th and making a welcome return to the club Gary Rees Williams 36:12. 91st Gwyn Williams 37:52. 117th (1st MV/65) Emyr Davies 39:14. 130th Jos Jones 39:40. 142nd Don Williams 40:24. 145th Ian Rothery 40:35. 210th Mervyn Williams 43:17. 261st Ian Blakemore 46:28 and 274th Roy Jardine 48:03. Eryri's women meanwhile made a solid if unspectacular start to the season in their quest to retain their 1st Division status following last season's relegation, led by 209th Becky Riddings 43:16. 234th (On her Eryri debut) Bridget Ripley 44:55. 265th Alison Donnelly 46:53 and 283rd Jenny Blakemore 48:31.

There was a league record of 322 finishers in the race.

The next race will be at Wallasey on Sunday 15th November 2009. Start 11am.

Eryri's 2008/09 Borders League individual champion Rob Samuel set himself a new personal best for the Half Marathon distance with a time of 66:49 at Cardiff on Sunday 18th October finishing 4th overall.

There were 8,767 finishers.

Eryri, due to a late spate of withdrawals only sent a men's team to compete in the British Fell Running Championships at Ennerdale Cumbria on Sunday 18th October where they just missed out on the bronze team medals by nine seconds! finishing fourth.

Full report to follow on their return.

W/e 'local' fell running, 17/18 October ...

Sat 17 Oct, *New Race* ‘Ceiriog Canter’ Fell Race, AS 5 miles/1200 feet. Start: 11am, Canolfan Ceiriog Centre, Glyn Ceiriog. LL20 7HE. EOD £5 from 10am. Prizes. Details from Joe 01691 718200 joe.fitness@yahoo.com

Sun 18 Oct, FRA Relays, Ennerdale (club pre-entries only, contact Mike Blake on 07778 145 144).

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

* Snowdonia Marathon * Saturday 24th October.
Jayne has an urgent need for marshals, Particularly for the last section from Bwlch y Groes down to Llanberis (the exciting bit !). If you can help, please contact Jayne Lloyd on 01286-677785 or .

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

Advance notices:
Sun 1 Nov, Clwydian Hills, 9m/3100ft, 11am Cilcain Village Hall SJ 177 653, New course, over 18, £5. Peter Taylor 07711 390 624.
Sat 7 Nov, Rhobell Fawr, 6m/1900ft, 12 noon, £4, Llanfachreth SH 756 225, Coed y Brenin. Tony Hodgson 07789 915 488.
Sat 14 Nov, Penmaenawr Fell Race 11m/1500ft Sat 10:30 am £5 * Pre entry only* at www.fabian4.co.uk Race details http://www.eryriharriers.org.uk/race_calendar.html
Sun 22 Nov, Wrekin Wrecker, details http://www.eryriharriers.org.uk/race_calendar.html

The next WFRA Navigation Course will be on Sunday 15th November in Llanberis, see WFRA site (above).

Cross-Country 2009/10: Nov 21 Bangor, Jan 16 Wrexham, Feb 6 Oswestry. North Wales Champs, Jan 9th.

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 weather
Saturday: A chilly start with valley mist and ground frost. Then a dry day with long sunny periods.
Sunday: Dry through the morning with bright or sunny spells. Cloud will increase later with outbreaks of rain or drizzle by late afternoon. Southwesterly winds will freshen.

BORDERS ROAD RUNNING LEAGUE 2009/10

Here we go again! The Borders Road Running League 2009/10 season is off and running this Sunday 18th October at Christleton. Start 11am. The race HQ will be based at the Cheshire View in Plough Lane. Post Code: CH3 7PT. The same venue as last years race opener which hopefully will turn out to be a good omen for our men who are seeking a hat-trick of championship titles.

There will be a mini bus going to the event, departing Parc Menai at 08:30am.

For further details contact Arwel Lewis: 07977 601029.

KAISERMARATHON

While the rest of us were having a leisurely stroll in Bridgnorth, Eryri's Iain Ridgway and Richard Roberts were a bit further away in Austria representing Wales along with Wrecsam Tri's Matt Gilbert and Cardiff AC's Dic Evans in the tough Kaisermarathon a 26.2mile mountain marathon which was fairly flat for the first twenty miles before getting seriously steeper for the last six! Matt Gilbert was the first Welsh athlete to finish in 3:40 with Iain pipping Richard in the finishing funnel with 20 yards to go as both finished in a time of 3:54. Dic meanwhile had a good run to finish 1st MV/60 in 4:25, Dic said it was the hardest race that he had ever done!

The times are approximate, full results to follow. I am sure Iain will do a full report when he limps home!

Well done lads.

BRIDGNORTH A TRIP TOO FAR?

The long trip to Bridgnorth for the 2nd race of the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross Country League proved to be a trip too far for the Eryri Harriers, though Eryri's women put up a good showing, the men had to rely on their veteran athletes to keep their season alive.

Eryri's women were first off completing one lap of the playing fields at Oldbury Wells School before completing two Large laps encompassing a very undulating of what could be best described as a "Cow" field as well as the playing fields, leading the ladies home as in Colwyn Bay in the first race was Andrea Rowlands in 10th place followed by 18th Annie Williams. 28th Wendy Trimble. 33rd Ellie Salisbury. 51st Allison Donnelly. 52nd Sue Hughes and 64th Jenny Blakemore while Male Vet 70 Ron Hird competing in the same race finished 73rd.

The men's course included one lap of the playing fields plus four large laps encompassing the "Cow" field and the playing fields, first Eryri Harrier home was MV/50 Russell Owen who had another good run to finish 34th with: 43rd Arwel Lewis. 70th Chris Evans. 93rd Emyr Davies. 105th Richard Borne. 107th Don Williams. 114th John Harold. 126th Eurwyn Edwards and 142nd (Bus Driver) Mervyn Williams.

Well done to everyone who made the long journey to support the club at Bridgnorth.

The next race in the league is a bit closer to home at Treborth Bangor on Saturday 21st November 2009.

W/e 'local' fell running, 10/11 October ...

Sat 10 Oct * XC * The Telford venue for the cross country has been changed from Lilleshall to Oldbury Wells School, Bridgnorth WV16 5JD.
Sat 10 Oct, Langdale Horseshoe, Lake District. http://www.amblesideac.org.uk/
Sun 11 Oct, Breidden Hills, Shropshire Fell Running http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/fellrunner/

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

* Snowdonia Marathon * Saturday 24th October.
Jayne has an urgent need for marshals, Particularly for the last section from Bwlch y Groes down to Llanberis (the exciting bit !). She is also looking for volunteer(s) to cycle in front of the race all the way round (easier than you might think). If you can help, please contact Jayne Lloyd on 01286-677785 or timjayne.caeathro@btopenworld.com

For anyone attempting the 14/15 Peaks ... Carnedd Uchaf may become Carnedd Gwenllian ... -> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8275729.stm

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

Advance notices:
Sat 17 Oct, *New Race* ‘Ceiriog Canter’ Fell Race, AS 5 miles/1200 feet. Start: 11am, Canolfan Ceiriog Centre, Glyn Ceiriog. LL20 7HE. Postal Entries - £4, EOD. Prizes. Details from Joe 01691 718200 joe.fitness@yahoo.com
Sun 1 Nov, Clwydian Hills, 9m/3100ft, 11am Cilcain Village Hall SJ 177 653, New course, over 18, £5. Peter Taylor 07711 390 624.
Sat 7 Nov, Rhobell Fawr, 6m/1900ft, 12 noon, £4, Llanfachreth SH 756 225, Coed y Brenin. Tony Hodgson 07789 915 488.
Sat 14 Nov, Penmaenawr Fell Race 11m/1500ft Sat 10:30 am £5 * Pre entry only* at www.fabian4.co.uk Race details http://www.eryriharriers.org.uk/race_calendar.html
Sun 22 Nov, Wrekin Wrecker, details http://www.eryriharriers.org.uk/race_calendar.html

The next WFRA Navigation Course will be on Sunday 15th November in Llanberis, see WFRA site (above).

Cross-Country 2009/10: Oct 10 Bridgnorth, Nov 21 Bangor, Jan 16 Wrexham, Feb 6 Oswestry. North Wales Champs, Jan 9th.

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 weather
Saturday: A dry and bright start with some sunshine and only an isolated shower but becoming cloudier late in the afternoon, perhaps with some more general rain by dusk.
Sunday: Rain and periods of hill fog at first, soon clearing, then dry with sunny spells. Moderate or fresh northwesterly winds.

Arenig Fawr Photo's

Pictures, from Emlyn, of yesterday's Arenig Fawr fell race. Eryr's Sam Smith won. Results to come.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=REmlyn&target=ALBUM&id=5389060189574520449&authkey=Gv1sRgCLW7w4T94f_oGQ&feat=email

Post Marathon Pizza night

There's a plan have a club social following the marathon. The idea is to go for Pizza and a Pint at Gallt y Glyn in Llanberis after the Snowdonia Marathon and then head into Llanberis for a few beers.

Places need to be booked, please let me know ASAP (email: iain.ridgway (at) bangor.ac.uk) if you want to come along. Places will be limited. I'll confirm numbers by the weekend of the 18th.

Cheers

Iain

CROSS COUNTRY UPDATE

The Telford hosted cross country on October 10th has switched venue from Lilleshall to Oldbury Wells Scholl, Bridgnorth WV16 5JD. Allegedly a hillier course! Bus leaving Parc Menai at a revised time of 10.00 am. To book a place contact Maggie Oliver.

Good team results at Colwyn Bay, mens were third (only 4 points behind Wrexham, mens masters 6th, ladies 2nd and masters 4th.


many thanks maggie

MORBEGNO ITALY

Eryri Harriers have been invited by our twinned club from Italy CSI Morbegno to send a male team of three runners to compete in the 52nd Trofeo Vanoni International Relay Race and one female runner to compete in the 25th Vanoni Femminile race on Sunday 25th October 2009. Our hosts offer free full board accomodation in the hotel Margna from Thursday 22nd or Friday 23rd until Monday 26th. They will also provide free transport to and from the airport in Italy.

Please see the original invitation below:

Subj: 52nd Trofeo Vanoni, international mountain running relay race, and 26th Vanoni femminile, international mountain running ladies (single not relay) race Morbegno 24-25 October 2009
CSI Morbegno is glad to invite Eryri Club to the 52nd Trofeo Vanoni, international mountain running relay race, and 26th Vanoni femminile, international mountain running ladies race (single not relay), which be held in Morbegno (SO) - Italy on 25th October 2009.
I attach the race rules&regulations.We can offer you full board accomodation from Thursday 22nd or Friday 23rd October evening (depending on your flight) until Monday 26th October morning for 1 male team (3 runners) and 1 woman
Please, contact us for forward informations.
Many regards
Cristina Speziale
G.S. CSI Morbegno

If any club member wishes to participate, please contact: Arwel Lewis Tel: 07977 601029 for further information.

Note: Though you will have to pay for your own transport to and from your departure/return UK airport and pay for your own air fare, the club will subsidise some of the costs.

FRA Relays info pack

Information for the forth coming relays is available here:

http://c-f-r.org.uk/node/777#attachments