W/e running 28 Feb/1 March ...

PRESENTATION SOCIAL EVENING
The club's presentation evening will take place at Y Caban, Brynrefail LL24 0BN on Friday 27th February 2009 from 7pm onwards. All club members are invited to attend. The informal evening will consist of an Italian meal with a vegetarian alternative. The club will subsidise half the cost of everyone's meal. All award winners present will be given their specially made for the occasion prizes by a special guest.

Sunday 1st March, Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus ! 10am, Vic, Llanberis. Not quite sure who will be there, but it's a good place to meet and run from.

Alastair and Gwynfor's Moelyci photos http://www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk/
If you left any thin running gloves at Moelyci, please claim them at Pipe Dream.

Advance notices:
Sat 7 March, Pipe Dream, 5m/1700ft, 12.00 Dolgarrog, Conwy Valley.
Sat 14 March, Moel Wnion, 4m/1600ft, 13.00 Rachub, Bethesda.
Sun 15 March, Orienteering, Glynllifon, CATI, yellow, orange, starts 10.30 to 12.00.
Sat 21 March, Yr Aran, 10m/2500ft, 13.00, Llanuwchllyn, Bala.
Sat 28 March, Llangynhafal, 5m/1750ft, 13.00, Clwyd.
Sat 18 April, Ras y Moelwyn, 10m/2800ft, 14.00, Blaenau. EOD or ONLINE.

Tom Gibbs is planning an attempt at the Paddy Buckley between mid-May and early June. He'll be down to do a recce around Easter, and again before the chosen date. Tom is looking for advice from locals who have experience, and support for the recces and on the 'day'. If you can help, please contact Tom on .

For the latest local running news, check the Eryri 'blog' site: http://eryriharriers.blogspot.com/
Eryri members will be able to log-in and add their own news in due course.

Outlook for Saturday / Rhagolygon ar gyfer Dydd Sadwrn
Staying mostly cloudy but mainly dry with just patchy light rain or drizzle. Southwest winds, moderate to fresh, but becoming strong later in the day. Freezing level above the summits.

Outlook for Sunday / Rhagolygon ar gyfer Dydd Sul
Becoming brighter with occasional showers, these falling as snow on the hills. Moderate west or northwest winds. Freezing level falling to around 500 metres.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia.html

Ras Moel y Ci, Tregarth, Gwynedd, BS / 5m / 950ft 21.02.09

Warm spring weather and the reputation of post-race soup and cakes brought 130 runners to the Moelyci Environmental Centre this year. Congratulations to Lloyd Taggart of Dark Peak who set the new course record of 35.21 (-1.37), and to Jackie Lee of Eryri setting the new women’s record of 41.38 (-1.59) at 9th overall. Francis Blunt of NFR was 2nd in 38.44 and Iwan Morton of Eryri cruised round into 3rd place at 39.23 listening to Girls Aloud. Adam Haynes of Eryri, 1st MV50 and 5th, pipped John Montgomery of Clwydian, 1st MV40 and 6th to the finish, with Don Williams of Eryri 1st MV60 at 28th in 46.12. Annie Williams of Eryri had a great run-in as 1st FV40 at 52.21 with Maggie Oliver of Eryri 1st FV50/60 at 59.43.

The junior race winner was Tecwyn Evans setting a new course record of 9.14 (-1.09) with Lisa Peters first girl at 6th in 10.31. Tecwyn wins a day’s navigation course at the Moelyci Centre; good training for the longer fell races ! Sixteen juniors ran.

Many thanks go to the Centre staff, marshals, ‘Team Dolly’ radio network, the registration and finish team and prize donators. Senior race results can be found here. Jeremy Williams.

Ras Yr Wyddfa 2009

As we read, there is a tracked excavator digging 10 feet of snow off the railway line that follows the Llanberis path to Snowdon summit. Difficult then to imagine the blistering heat often experienced on Ras Yr Wyddfa in July. It may seem far-off now, but there are less than 100 entries left for the 2009 race. Enter soon to secure your place. Entry forms here. (JHW).

BORDER LEAGUE CAPENHURST

Oops! Missed out 15th Paul Wathan 29:58.

BORDER LEAGUE CAPENHURST

Despite three of Eryri's athletes finishing in the top ten, Eryri did not have the strength in depth to deny Buckley winning on the day and moving 99 points ahead of Eryri with only the two races to go in the Borders Road Running League. Still Rob Samuel made it four wins out of four in the 5.3 mile Capenhurst race on Sunday 22nd February winning in 27:44 with 3rd Richard Roberts 28:41. 7th Brendan Rothery 29:17. 37th Tony Woodall 32:16. 53rd Arwel Lewis 33:00. 83rd Dylan Owen 34:26. 101st Ashley Wager 35:18. 106th Steve Livett 35:30. 108th Christoph Gertler 35:35. 127th Don Williams 36:46. 129th Ian Rothery 36:54. 130th Emyr Davies 36:56. 144th Merfyn Williams 37:50 and 211th Roy Jardine 42:51.
Eryri's ladies meanwhile are in serious danger of being relegated after only the one season in the 1st Division mainly due to another 100 point penalty for not having the required four counters. Eryri are currently trailing Prestatyn by 33 points following the Capenhurst race, though on the bright side, Sarah Ridgway, making steady progress after injury still leads the ladies rankings following her 80th placing overall was 3rd Senior Lady in 34:13 with 143rd Gemma Morgans 37:44 and 170th Rebecca Riddings 39:03.
There were 251 finishers.
The next race will be at Connahs Quay on Sunday 15th March. Start 11am.

Ras Moelyci results 2009

Race report and links to photographs to follow.
Provisional Ras Moelyci results 2009. <-click on link.
Thank you to Moelyci Environmental Centre, all helpers, donators of prizes and to Team Dolly for radio coverage (you may find photos on their site). (JHW).

W/e running 21/22 Feb ...

Saturday 21 Feb, Ras Moel y Ci. BS. 11.00 am. 5m/950’ from Moelyci Environmental Centre, Tregarth, Bangor (GR SH 593 678). Registration from 9.30 a.m. £4. PM. Records: M, 36.58 ; F, 43.37. Refreshments, Prizes. Junior race for over 10s (free).
If you don't plan to run and would like to help, please turn up at the centre between 9.30 and 10am and let me know. Thank you.

Advance notices:
Sat 7 March, Pipe Dream, 5m/1700ft, 12.00 Dolgarrog, Conwy Valley.
Sat 14 March, Moel Wnion, 4m/1600ft, 13.00 Rachub, Bethesda.
Sat 21 March, Yr Aran, 10m/2500ft, 13.00, Llanuwchllyn, Bala.

Tom Gibbs is planning an attempt at the Paddy Buckley between mid-May and early June.
He'll be down to do a recce around Easter, and again before the chosen date. Tom is looking for advice from locals who have experience, and support for the recces and on the 'day'. If you can help, please contact Tom on .

Forecast for daylight hours for Saturday / Rhagolwg ar gyfer oriau'r dydd Dydd Sadwrn.
Weather/ Tywydd. The dry weather will continue and although rather cloudy at times, there will be bright spells. Visibility, cloud base / Gwelededd, Gwaelod y cymylau. Generally good visibility with cloud bases around 800M with patches to 500M, especially over the western slopes of Snowdon. Wind, temperature, freezing level / Gwynt, thymheredd, lefel rhewi. At 900M, West or southwest winds with average speeds of 30mph and a temperature of plus 3 Celsius. The freezing level will be above the tops.

Outlook for Sunday / Rhagolygon ar gyfer Dydd Sul.
Mainly dry and rather cloudy with a few light showers, even snow flurries on the top of Snowdon. A much colder feel with fresh or strong northwest winds across the summits and the freezing level around 800M.

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

In memoriam - Johnathan Bennett

The club was saddened to learn of the recent death of former Eryri member Johnathan Bennett. Following a brutal attack 2 weeks ago in which he suffered serious head injuries Jon had been in a coma in Walton hospital, Liverpool but sadly passed away on Friday 13th February.
Jon, who was affectionately known as "Which Way?" for his customary enquiries to marshalls during fell races had not competed for 3-4 years but was aiming to get fit and return to running as a vet. He will best be remembered for turning up at races with his small dog in a pannier on his bicycle and competing competitively in trainers.
Two men have been charged with the attack and will be appearing in court in April.
The club has sent a card to his family and will be represented at the funeral. For details of the funeral arrangements contact Mike Blake.

Border League Race No 5 Capenhurst

BORDERS ROAD RUNNING LEAGUE 2008/09
ERYRI NEED YOUR SUPPORT
RACE NO 5 CAPENHURST
SUNDAY 22nd FEBRUARY 2009 START 11am

With only the three races to go, our men are now hot on the heels of league leaders Buckley following our home success at Caernarfon we are now only four points adrift and in with a realistic chance of retaining our title, though we need to keep the momentum going for the remaining three races starting at Capenhurst on the usual fast two lap course.
Our women are still not assured of securing their place in the 1st Division, currently placed 5th only 24 points ahead of Prestatyn.

To achieve these objectives it is up to you, Eryri Harriers to turn out for the remaining three races and support your club.

There will be a mini bus for the Capenhurst event, leaving Parc Menai at 08:30am.
For further information contact Arwel Lewis Tel: 07977 601029.

OMM 2009

The OMM is to be in Wales this year (do they think it's drier than Borrowdale ... ?). They promise good road access, vast, hard, dry, car park, buildings, shuttle buses (sounds like Bangor Tesco), any guesses? Elan Valley was mentioned a couple of years ago. 24th/25th October 2009 http://www.theomm.com (JHW).

Ras Moel y Ci, Tregarth

Saturday, FEB 21st, 2009. RAS MOEL Y CI. BS. 11.00 a.m. 5m/950' from Moelyci Environmental Centre, Tregarth, Bangor (GR SH 593 678). Registration from 9.30 a.m. £4, juniors free. All welcome. Ideal 'first' fell race. PM. Records: 36.58 R. Greenwood 2008; f, 43.37 S. Kleeman 2007. Junior race for over 10s. No dogs. Refreshments, Prizes. Details: Jeremy Williams, Moelyci Farm, Lon Felin Hen, Tregarth, Gwynedd LL57 4BB. Tel: 07934 489 330. Email: office@moelyci.org Website: www.eryriharriers.org.uk

ROB'S NORTH WALES TITLE WREXHAM H/M

Photo courtesy of www.mickhall-photos.com

ROB'S NORTH WALES TITLE

There were nearly 600 competitors running in the Wrexham Half Marathon on Sunday 15th February, with Eryri's Rob Samuel to the fore again finishing 2nd overall in a new personal best time for the distance of 68:44, Rob also had the satisfaction of winning the North Wales title as the Championships were incorporated into the event. Other notable Eryri finishers were: 13th Brendan Rothery 73:30. 19th (1st U23) Paul Wathan in a new personal best time for him of 75:48. 60th Dave Pryce 82:07. 74th Arwel Lewis 84:00. 85th Lee Evans 85:26. 87th Dylan Owen 85:42 and 1st Junior Female Gemma Morgans 99:14, her first attempt at the distance.
The race was also the first in the Eryri Harriers 2009 road running championships.

PRESENTATION SOCIAL EVENING

The club's presentation evening will take place at Y Caban Brynrefail Post Code LL24 0BN on Friday 27th February 2009 from 7pm onwards. All club members are invited to attend.
The informal evening will consist of an Italian meal with a vegetarian alternative. The club will subsidise half the cost of everyone's meal. All award winners present will be given their specially made for the occasion prizes by a special guest. Anyone wishing to attend, please give your names to our social secretary Paul Howarth e-mail: ukpaulhowarth@aol.com or failing that, any committee member who in turn will inform Paul.

Sunday 15th February

Sun 15th, Newborough Forest. Thought it was flat ? Come and try Trefor's 2-hour route ...
Meet at 10am in the (recently extended) car park at SH 411 671. Head NW from Newborough village on the A4080 towards Malltraeth. As you go between the forest blocks, ignore the car park on the right, go further on and into the car park on the left, often used by horse riders. A mix of firm forestry tracks, sandy and grassy paths and the odd wet bit.
Good cycling on MTBs and good for walking as well.

Danny Hughes 1936-2009

The Eryri Harriers send their sincere condolences to Danny Hughes family and friends following his death yesterday. Danny has been a staunch supporter of mountain running from when mountain running was not given much recognition and was very much a minority sport. Danny was instrumental in mountain running finally achieving World Championship status.

He will be sadly missed.

WELSH CASTLES RELAY 2009

Eryri will be entering a mixed male/female team of twenty runners for this years Welsh Castles Relay which takes place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June 2009.
Eryri club members who wish to take part, please give your names to Arwel Lewis Tel: 07977 601029.
Those who competed in the event last year found it to be an unforgettable and enjoyable experience with ten stages on the Saturday from Caernarfon castle to Newtown, then another ten stages on the Sunday from Newtown to Cardiff castle. BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPOINTMENT.

ERYRI ROAD AND MOUNTAIN CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP RACES 2009

ROAD RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009

• 15/02/2009 WREXHAM HALF MARATHON
• 25/04/2009 WREXHAM 10MILE
• 27/05/2009 RHYL 5KM
• 30/08/2009 CAERNARFON 10KM
• 20/09/2009 ANGLESEY MARATHON OR
• 24/10/2009 SNOWDONIA MARATHON
• 01/11/2009 ABERGELE 5 MILES
• SCORING: 1st 25. 2nd 20. 3rd 17. 4th 15. 5th 14. 6th 13 and so on until 18th 1pt then 1pt each for every other finisher.

MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009

• SHORT: 07/03/2009 PIPE DREAM. Y GARN 01/08/2009
• MEDIUM: 05/09/2009 HALF PERIS. ARENIG FAWR 04/10/2009
• LONG: 09/05/2009 FOEL FRAS. RHINOG HORSESHOE 04/07/2009
• SCORING: 1st 25. 2nd 20. 3rd18. 4th 17. 5th 16 and so on until 20th 1pt then half a point each for every other finisher.

Longmynd Valleys Sunday 8th

One of the toughest fell races on the calendar took place near Church Stretton today.........11 miles with 4500 feet of climbing, supposedly meant to be some stupidly steep sections....all in the last stages of the race.

Anyway good run by Eryri's "local" Rich Roberts to finish 3rd out of 180 odd runners in 1.54, only 2 mins behind Andy Davis of Mercia and less than 24 hours after getting 2nd in the Oswestry X/C. A good win in the ladies for Eryri's Jackie Lee in 2.06 and 14th overall, with Andrea Roberts 3rd lady in 2.16.

Results on: http://dcn-mercia.make247.co.uk/node/986

Photos in the snow on: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/alastair.tye/LongMyndValleysRace?feat=directlink#

NICK BEER DOUBLE TEAM SUCCESS FOR ERYRI

38 Eryri harriers were among the 563 competitors in the Nick Beer 10km road race on Sunday 8th February with both the ladies and men winning the team awards, the ladies were led home by 4th S/F Becky Law 40:49 closely followed by 5th S/F Susannah Evans 40:52 and 12th (1st Junior lady) Gemma Morgans 44:39. Eryri's men were led to the team prize by 4th Matthew Roberts 33:34. 6th Brendan Rothery 34:04 and 7th Paul Wathan 34:54.
Other Eryri award winners were: 17th (3rd M/V35) Craig Jones 37:52. 28th (2nd M/V40) Dafydd Williams 38:40. 32nd (2nd M/V50) Iwan Edgar 38:53. 38th (3rd M/V50) Arwel Lewis 39:04. 39th (3rd M/V40) Dylan Owen 39:05.
A special mention to Morpeth's Bangor University student Nicky Swinburn who won the race for the second year running! breaking the course record by 34 seconds in a time of 30:34 which is also a PB for Nicky.

The next road race on the calendar is the Wrexham Half Marathon which also incorporates the North Wales & Eryri club Championships next Sunday 15th February. Start 11am.

CROSS COUNTRY SILVER LINING FOR ERYRI

There was more XC silverware for Eryri in the North Wales Cross Country League following the final race of the season at Oswestry on Sunday 7th February with the Women's senior and vets, plus the senior men's teams winning silver. On the muddy and snow covered undulating course, Eryri's women were led home by Sue Evans in 11th place with: 12th Jenny Hemming, 26th Gemma Morgans, 30th Annie Williams, 34th Ellie Salisbury, 45th Sue Hughes and 46th Maggie Oliver. Eryri's men were led home by Welshpool based Richard Roberts who felt at home on the 6.3 mile course doing very well to finish 2nd with: 9th Matthew Roberts, 21st paul Wathan, 30th Paul Howarth, 38th Tony Woodall, 42nd Arwel Lewis, 49th Steve P Jones, 71st Don Williams, 92nd Steve Llan Jones and 104th Mike Blake.

NWXC League Individual awards went to:

WOMEN

1st F/U20 Gemma Morgans
3rd F/35 Jenny Hemming
3rd F/55 Sue Hughes
2nd F/60 Maggie Oliver
MEN
3rd M/U20 Paul Wathan
2nd S/M Richard Roberts
3rd M/50 Arwel Lewis
1st M/65 Don Williams

WELL DONE EVERYONE

Cross Country Oswestry

Tony "Eddie the Eagle" Woodall in full flight!








Many thanks to Maggie "Sir Alex Ferguson" Oliver!

All the photos taken today are posted on this link

Cross Country Oswestry

The last race of the North Wales Cross Country season 2008/09 takes place this Saturday 7th February at Marches school Oswestry, our senior women still have an outside chance of winning the Division one title, they are currently eight points behind league leaders Tattenhall, while our women masters look assured of second place as are the senior men's team.
The presentation of awards will follow immediately after the races and results have been completed.

We do have a Mini Bus going to the event, leaving Parc Menai at 11:15am.
Contact. Arwel Lewis for further details. Tel: 07977 601029.

Alsager 5 Mile Road Race

Eryri's Paul Wathan ran in the Alsager 5 mile road race on Sunday 1st February having helped Eryri's men to win the North Wales Cross Country team gold the previous day at Northop, Paul finished 69th in a time of 28:13, while Gemma Morgans recorded a time of 35:23.

Rob's National Cross Country Bronze

Eryri's Bangor University student Rob Samuel had a terrific run at the Welsh Cross Country Championships which were held at Builth Wells on Sunday 1st February, holding his own against some of the country's top endurance runners to win the Senior Men's Bronze medal.
Well Done Rob.

Presentation evening - 27th Feb

We will be having our 2008/09 presentation evening on Friday 27th February at Y Caban in Brynrefail. There are too many events going on throughout March!

We also have a few awards to vote for: The Railway Track for the outstanding performer/s of the year (Two names mentioned are Chris Near and Tim Higginbottom for their unbeaten ultra clean sweep last year), the shield for the person who has helped most at club events throughout the year, the Angela Brand Barker award for the most outstanding female athlete/improver.

you can send your votes to Arwel at eos418@bangor.ac.uk