Saturday, 30 May 2009

MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS REMINDER

ERYRI HARRIERS 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.

HOT AND SUNNY CADER



Conditions were certainly more summer like for the Ras Y Cader (Incorporating the first race in the Welsh Athletics MR Championship) at Dolgellau on Saturday 30th May with the hot and sunny conditions an extra challenge for the runners as well as the 10.5m/3000' up and down course, still another good turnout for the race with 246 finishers with 2006 race winner Lloyd Taggart (Dark Peak) again successful in a time of 1:26:25 with 2007/08 race winner Richard Roberts 2nd in 1:29:05 and that was after working a night shift! Mynydd Du's Martin Shaw was 3rd in 1:33:54 while Eryri's Iain Ridgway ran well to finish 4th in 1:35:42. Eryri's Jackie Lee led the ladies home in 11th place overall in a time of 1:41:38. 2nd (After a heavy fall on the downhill and injuring her knee) Helen Fines 1:46:07 and 3rd Sarah Ridgway 1:49:03. Other notable Eryri placings/times: 19th (1st MV/50) Arwel Lewis 1:44:59. 23rd Noel Craine 1:45:54. 28th Dafydd Williams 1:47:10. 33rd Rory O'Donnell 1:48:22. 34th Paul Jenkinson 1:48:33. 45th Adrian Williams 1:53:21. 55th (5th S/L) Jenny Hemming 1:55:38. 61st (2nd MV/60) Don Williams 1:57:44.
Congratulations to Graeme Stringer and his team for another well organised event.

Friday, 29 May 2009

Great Arete Midweek Series - Round 5 Aber

Well that was another one with a start designed to clear the cobwebs and confuse some of the Prestatyn runners.

The Williams family got a real flyer with the eventual winner Dafydd “highways” being pushed hard by Henri (going on to win the juniors) form Tryfan and newcomer Sam Smith. SPJ took the over 50 win, DWT the 60’s whilst Jenny H, Sarah B, Bridget, Maggie and Lisa took the ladies honours.

In the Caernarfon Tyres under 12 John Spill won again and is now level with Rhys James (under 14) whilst in the under 8 Ben’s mam’s genes are starting to kick in taking him to 2nd behind the dominant Kes.

Next race from Rachub on June 9th, if you can help … … …

For action pictures see www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk

ABERSOCH 10K

The organisers of the Abersoch 3k & 10k race on Saturday 6th June are appealing for volunteers to help with the marshalling of the event, anyone willing to help please contact Kelly by e-mail: kelly@sensationsgroup.com
Race web site: www.abersoch10k.com
Thank you

W/e 'local' fell running, 30/31 May ...

Sat 30 May, Ras Cader Idris, AM 10.5miles/3000feet, M: 1.21, F: 1.33. Start 13.00. Eldon Sq, Dolgellau. £7 www.cader-race.co.uk, £10 EOD.

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

For the latest local running news, check this Eryri 'blog' site: http://eryriharriers.blogspot.com/ and WFRA http://www.wfra.org.uk/

Advance notices:
No evening race Tuesday 2 June.
Tuesday evening race 9th June. 'Moel Faban'. Start 7.15pm. Rachub, park by the swings (SH 622 682). EOD £1.50. Will it visit Moel Faban, Gyrn, Gyrn Wigau ?? (Please register at 6.30 if you can).
Sat 6th June, FRA Calendar lists 11 events ! Here are two:-
Welsh 1000m Peaks Race, Abergwyngregyn to Snowdon, 20miles/8900ft, pre-entry, some classes full. http://www.gorphwysfa.org.uk/
Stretton Hills, AS, new route, 5.75miles/2500ft, Church Stretton. Start 13.00, £5. www.merciafellrunners.org.uk
Sat 20th June, Red Kite challenge, Nant Yr Arian, (SN 718 813) on A44 east of Aberysywyth. Walk, 11am, 8+miles, £5. Run, 1pm, 11+miles (£100 for new record), £8/£10UA, M:1.12, F:1.19. Forest and moorland. rhedwr@gmail.com, www.redkite-barcudcoch.org.uk
Weds 1st July, Vaynol Park 10k, pre-entry only by 29th June or when 300 reached. Forms from http://www.gwylfelin.org/ or eilir.felin@btopenworld.com
October 3rd, Exmoor 30:30 - a challenge for teams of 5 to carry 30lbs pp over 30 miles of Exmoor. Free entry, £1,000 to be raised for one of four charities. http://www.exmoor3030.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: A dry day with continuous strong sunshine, although a slightly fresher feel than Friday.
Sunday: A fine and dry day with prolonged sunshine and feeling very warm. A moderate easterly wind.

Thursday, 28 May 2009

GWYN'S BACK FOR TITLE SUCCESS

After several months away from the racing scene, Eryri's Gwyn Owen made a surprise appearance at the Rhyl North Wales 5k Championship race on Wednesday 27th May and came away with the title despite finishing a distant 2nd to Bangor University's Morpeth student Nick Swinburn who made light of the very windy conditions along the seafront (the last 2km was run into a gale!) to win in 15:38 with Gwyn taking the North Wales Championship title by a two second margin 17:01 to Deeside's Phil Edge 17:03. other championship winners were: MV/65 Emyr Davies 37th in 20:21 and MV/75 Barrie Moore 87th in 27:43. Jordan Evans had a good run to finish 9th in 18:28 with 11th Tony Woodall 18:46. 25th (2nd MV/50) in his third race in four days Arwel Lewis 19:42 outsprinting teamate 26th Christoph Gertler 19:43 to the line. 47th (Returning from another injury setback) Steve Livett 21:36. Steve's daughter Sarah ran well to finish 32nd (2nd Junior Female missing out on the title by just four seconds) in 20:04. 49th Eurwyn Edwards 22:04 and 85th Iorwerth Roberts 27:11. There were 95 finishers.
The free advice and Lucozade sport freebies were very much appreciated after the event.
Well done to Prestatyn Running Club for organising a fine event, despite the gale!
I thought Rhyl was supposed to be sunny!!

Tuesday, 26 May 2009

Jura Fell Race

A decent turn out for this classic race, we arrived on the Friday to find the paps clear of cloud and perfect running conditions but even as we lounged about on the midge refuge/pier the coulds built. By morning the rain, low cloud and wind was well and truly in. With the cloud level standing at around 500 ft almost the whole run was done with very poor visibility. To make matters worse the course was far wetter than last year and even in clear vis the times would have been much slower.

The route traverses 7 hills including the horrifically rough yet slippy when wet paps of Jura. Most of these hills recieve few visitors so the paths are faint and numerous nav errors occured. Six times race winner Ian Holmes overtook Chris Near and myself (Iain R) at least 3 times and went on to win in a time of 3:49:50. Chris and I ran almost the whole route together whilst we (partially) shared the nav, Chris's expertise was called on a few times to keep us on track, we made few errors and moved steadily around the course, had we not made an error chasing other runners coming off the last pap we'd have gone under the magical 4 hr mark, which this year only 2 runners managed (a record low for the course), as it was we finished 4th (me) and 8th (Chris) in 4:06 and 4:09 respectively. Noel Craine nursing his injured ankle finished 35th in 4:51.

Most runners were a good 30 minutes to an hour down on previous years times, apart from Ali Thomas who amazingly only dropped 5 minutes on last years time.

The womens race was won by Angela Mudge in 4:23, with Jackie Lee 3rd (4:51), Sarah Ridgway 4th (4:53), Ali Thomas (5:15) and 2nd LV40, and Pilar Near finished in 6:02. 151 finished out of nearly 190 runners. The strong womens turn out gave them 1st female team on the day.

Cracking weekend as always.

Results: http://www.jurafellrace.org.uk/results/2009.htm

Monday, 25 May 2009

Bamford Sheep Dog Trials

Less than 48 hrs after crossing the line in Jura, Sarah and I decided to run this short sharp race in the Peak. The course started with a fast flat run out to Ladybower, a sharp climb up Winhill via Parkin Clough then a long descent back to the old railway and back to the carnival ground. Sarah was 2nd woman in around 38 minutes, I was 4th bloke in 33:43. Results to come.

Sunday, 24 May 2009

Hutton Roof Crags British 'Fell' Inter Counties champs

5 Harriers (and coach) made the trek up to the Hutton Roof Crags "fell" race (near Kendal / Kirby Lonsdale) to represent North Wales in the British inter counties championships. A massive jam on the M6 meant a nice detour via the Yorkshire Dales.

The course could be described as a tough, fast undulating cross country course with one decent climb and no decent descents - hardly a fell race!!

In a top class field of 345 runners representing regions from as far a field as Essex, Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Scotland it was a mixed day for the Eryri runners.

In the ladies Jenny Hemming ran well to finish in 21st, Annie Williams in 30th and a suffering Becky Law in 34th....the North Wales team finished in 7th.

In the men's - and just to prove that pretty awful performances are also reported on this blog - a not very happy Rob Samuel finished in 32nd, whilst a disastrous performance by myself (Math R) saw me limping home in 46th. A decent performance by the team saw them finishing in 5th.

Race results:

http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2009/hutton.htm

Friday, 22 May 2009

LAND'S END TO JOHN O'GROATS CHARITY CYCLE

Hello all,
Hope you are well. Hope you can help! - Myself and a fellow Vale Royal Athletics club member, Mark Thornley, are set to do something which is likely to prove quite a challenge for us! Our aim is to cycle from Land's End to John o'Groats in 15 days. Starting in Cornwall on 4 July 2009 and (hopefully!) finishing in North East Scotland on 18 July 2009. As a non-cyclists our target of covering 900 plus miles (exact distance is dependent on the reliability of our Sat Nav!) is not likely to prove too easy, so to try and help us keep focused on getting to the end we have decided to raise money for charity. Mark's dad has for many years suffered from Dystonia (which is similar to Parkinson's Disease). There are 40,000 Dystonia sufferers in the UK, and it affects people of all ages (2,000 sufferers are under 16!). Like a lot of medical charities the Dystonia Society relies on voluntary donations and individual fundraisers to fund all of the work that they do for people affected by the disease. The Societies aims are to provide mutual support for those who suffer, and to raise awareness of the condition through education and the promotion of research. It needs money to do all of these. So we are looking for sponsors!! Could you put something on to your website, if possible, please?Our justgiving site is - www.justgiving.com/lejog-bigmarkandgoffy We also have a blog - which will hopefully keep people informed and entertained! .http://valeroyalseniors.webs.com/apps/blog/ See you all in Wales
Thanks. Dave

WELSH JUNIOR TRIAL RACE TAN Y COED



4th WMRA INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CHALLENGE
TRIAL RACE FOR THE:
4th WMRA INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CHALLENGE
MOUNTAIN RACES FOR 16-17 YEAR OLDS
(UP AND DOWN COURSES – UP TO 4.9KM/70M)
HAUSEN/GERMANY (27th JUNE 2009)

Teams: 3 junior boys under 17. D.O.B. 1992/93
3 junior girls under 17. D.O.B. 1992/93

Athletes must be born in either 1992 or 1993. Consideration may be given to development athletes born in either 1994 or 1995 to compete in open races.

Selection: Trial – Saturday 23rd May: Tan Y Coed, Pantperthog The first two in each category in this trial race will gain automatic selection. Remaining places will be selected based on known form up to the Trial.

Start: The one off race will start at 12 noon.

Course: 1992/93 Boys will run 5 laps 4.7km/Girls 3 laps 3.1km Younger athletes will not run any further than distances as stipulated in the UKA rule book

Directions: Tan y Coed is part of Dyfi. Corris, Tywyn, Dolgellau, and Machynlleth are the

nearest towns or villages. West off the A487 between Dolgellau and Machynlleth, south of Corris and North of Pantperthog.

OS Grid Reference: SH 750054
All race competitors and their parents will receive a free cup of tea-coffee or draft pop on presentation of their race numbers at King Arthur’s Labyrinth, Corris craft centre.
Contact: Arwel Lewis: 07977 601029. Race organiser.

Thursday, 21 May 2009

W/e 'local' fell running, 23/24/25 May ...

Sun 24 May, Ras Carneddau, AM 9.2miles/4200ft, M: 1.41, F: 1.57. Start 12.00. George Inn, Carneddi, Bethesda SH625672. EOD £4.

Always bring: bumbag, map, compass, whistle, wind/waterproof top & trousers, hat & gloves. (Ras Foel Fras, Ras Moel Eilio ... !). E&OE, please make your own checks before travelling.

For the latest local running news, check this Eryri 'blog' site: http://eryriharriers.blogspot.com/ and WFRA http://www.wfra.org.uk/

Advance notices:

Tuesday evening race 26th May. Start 7.15pm, Abergwyngregyn, Felin Hen caffi. EOD £1.50. (Please register at 6.30 if you can).

Sat 30 May, Ras Cader Idris, AM 10.5miles/3000feet, M: 1.21, F: 1.33. Start 13.00. Eldon Sq, Dolgellau. £7 www.cader-race.co.uk, £10 EOD.

Sat 6th June, Welsh 1000m Peaks Race, Abergwyngregyn to Snowdon, 20miles/8900ft, pre-entry by 26th May, http://www.gorphwysfa.org.uk/

Weds 1st July, Vaynol Park 10k, pre-entry only by 29th June or when 300 reached. Forms from http://www.gwylfelin.org/ or eilir.felin@btopenworld.com

October 3rd, Exmoor 30:30 - a challenge for teams of 5 to carry 30lbs pp over 30 miles of Exmoor. Free entry, £1,000 to be raised for one of four charities. http://www.exmoor3030.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: Maybe rather cloudy at first on Saturday but should steadily brighten and then fine and dry with some sunshine. Feeling pleasantly warm with just a light and variable breeze.
Sunday: Dry with a good deal of sunshine and just a light and variable breeze.
Monday: Cloudier and could bring some patchy light rain, especially in the south and east of the area. The cloud above the summits keeping the day fog free. The wind continuing light and variable.

Sunday, 17 May 2009

TIM'S BLOWN TO VICTORY


MOEL EILIO 2009 Race Report
Despite terrible conditions, the 2009 Moel Eilio Race was well attended as usual, with 84 runners, 44 walkers and 16 juniors battling the elements on this classic Llanberis event. Wind speeds were recorded at almost 80 miles per hour along the ridge, this coupled with a hail storm it made for very interesting running conditions.
For the first time this year, the event was organised as a fund raiser for Cancer Research in memory of Caernarfon Fire Fighter Darren Costello. All funds raised will be used locally to address the needs of cancer patients in North Wales.
The senior race field was led home by 3 times Snowdon race winner Tim Davies from Welshpool, with Conwy’s Chris Near a fantastic second and Pete Haworth from Bangor University in 3rd. Llanberis Man Dafydd Williams continued with his recent run of form to take the Vet 40 honours, with Eryri’s Russell Owen 1st Vet 50 and Dafydd Whiteside Thomas 1st Vet 60 on his favourite mountain.

The ladies race was close run with Eryri’s Andrea Roberts taking the honours from Jenny Hemming in 2nd and Emma Hitchins 3rd. Vet 40 winner was Eryri’s Annie Williams.

The junior race was also well contested, the category results are:
U16 Boys
1 Henri Williams (17.11) 2 Calum Muskett (18.18) 3 Owain James (20.51)
U14 Boys
1 Morgan Evans (15.15) 2 Gerwyn Roberts (16.29) 3 Osian Williams (17.00) 4 Rhys James (17.38)
U12 Boys
1 Tristan Davison (14.06)
U10 Boys
1 Kes Thomas (14.26) 2 Oli White (18.12) 3 Ethan Costello (18.28) 4 Aaron White (19.42) 5 Aaron Cooper (20.20)
U16 Girls
1 Lisa Peters (21.51)
U14 Girls
1 Megan Lloyd (17.41) 2 Elin James (20.20)
Many thanks to all who helped special thanks to Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, Heights Hotel Llanberis, Padarn Bus Llanberis, and Joe Brown Shops.
Results are here -
/www.btinternet.com/~alantudur/rheryri/canlyniadau/2009/ReportOverallResults.rtf
Gwynfor’s great photos are also available here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/gwynforjames/RASMOELEILIO?authkey=Gv1sRgCOHwhbjZyPvVQw&feat=directlink
…and more great pictures here http://www.fellrunningpictures.co.uk/

Read more from the Events, Ras Moel Eilio 2009 category.

CHESTER HALF MARATHON

Eryri's Paul Wathan finished 6th in the Shell Chester half marathon on Sunday 17th May in a time of 77:16 with; 28th Tony Woodall 1:21:46. 101st Paul Jones 1:28:48. 145th Peter Lewis 1:31:25. 381st & 1st U20/Female Gemma Morgans 1:40:02. 782nd Bethan Dobson Jones 1:49:19 and 1308th Alwyn Williams 2:00:47. By all accounts a rather wet and windy event!

Sarn Helen 16.5 mile Welsh "long" Fell Champs


The second race of the WFRA Welsh champs took place down in Lampeter today - an area not known for it's "true" fell running - the Sarn Helen race is 16.5 miles with 3000foot so a true classic 'long' fell race. The race is ran mainly on undulating roads, private farmland, forestry tracks and set amongst some very pretty scenery.

Once again the Eryri travelling bandwagon stalwarts were represented by:

Math Roberts 1st 1.45.31
Iain Ridgeway 7th 1.56.30
Scott Butterworth 9th 2.00.03 (missing out on the magic 2hr barrier by a mere 3 seconds)
Alwyn Oliver 57th 2.37.13
Maggie Oliver 74th 2.52.11 and 1st lady vet 60.

There were 88 finishers.

All in all an interesting day and cheers to the Sarn Helen club for a superbly organised race.

Fastest published results ever are below:

http://www.onlineraceresults.co.uk/main1.htm

ROB'S WELSH ROAD DEBUT PB

Eryri's Rob Samuel made his debut on the roads for Wales in the Great Manchester 10km on Sunday 17th May where he improved his PB for the distance by two seconds following his 54th place finish in a time of 31:44, Rob will be quite happy with that following his mountain bike mishap at Betws Y Coed last weekend which left him with a few bumps and bruises!! A good experience for Rob competing against the likes of Haile Gebrselassie who won the race in 27:39.

Thursday, 14 May 2009

Moel y Gest

Well,Matts 2 week recce of the course came up trumps finding all the best lines to win from Horwich's Pete Howarth(masquarding as Bangor Uni ) and Iain. Callum in 10th was 1st jnr,John W 1st 40 in 11th, Arwel 1st 50 in 15th & DWT the 60 in 25th.
In the ladies Skippy 20th in her 1st race comfotably held off the ever improving Miranda (24th) and Becki 'blisters' (29th) while Annie scampered her way to 1st 40 in 34th.
With the best turn out of ladies in the series 4 many a year and 4 more races 2 go things r looking good. In the juniors 19 made the trek, Kes Thomas taking his 5th u/8 win from an improving Ben Davies while John Spill took his 2nd win in the main race. Next race from Aber on the 26th with a new start and if u rnt running & can help give me a tinkle,ta. Mike.

W/e 'local' fell running, 16/17 May ...

"Possibly the most classic 8-mile fell race in Wales ..."
Sat 16 May, Ras Moel Eilio, AM 8miles/3000ft, M: 58.36, F: 72.44. Start 13.00. Walking event starts 11.00. Registration from 10.00, Heights Hotel, Llanberis. www.saabsalomonoutdoorteam.com EOD minimum donation £4, proceeds to Cancer Research. Marshals needed, if you can help, please call Tim on 07500 927 037.

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

For the latest local running news, check this Eryri 'blog' site: http://eryriharriers.blogspot.com/ and WFRA http://www.wfra.org.uk/

Advance notices:
No evening race on Tuesday 19th May. Next race, Abergwyngregyn, 26 May.
Sun 24 May, Ras Carneddau, AM 9.2miles/4200ft, M: 1.41, F: 1.57. Start 12.00. George Inn, Carneddi, Bethesda SH625672. EOD £4.
Sat 30 May, Ras Cader Idris, AM 10.5miles/3000feet, M: 1.21, F: 1.33. Start 13.00. Eldon Sq, Dolgellau. £7 www.cader-race.co.uk, £10 EOD.
Sat 6th June, Welsh 1000m Peaks Race, Abergwyngregyn to Snowdon, 20miles/8900ft, pre-entry by 26th May, http://www.gorphwysfa.org.uk/
Weds 1st July, Vaynol Park 10k, pre-entry only by 29th June or when 300 reached. Forms from http://www.gwylfelin.org/ or eilir.felin@btopenworld.com

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: Very close to the centre of the low pressure area. So likely to see light winds but also the risk of some slow moving, heavy and thundery showers. Also some drier, brighter spells after early mist and fog breaks.
Sunday: Some dry and bright spells, especially in the West of the region. Otherwise continuing rather cloudy with further outbreaks of showery rain from time to time. The wind setting into a light east or northeasterly.

Sunday, 10 May 2009

Christleton 5km

Four Eryri runners took part in the fast and flat Christleton 5km road race near Chester on Friday night.

The race attracted some big names and the race record was broken by BUSA 5000metres champ Johnny Mellor in 14.07, Bangor Uni student Nick Swinburn was back in action after injury running well in 14.58 and finishing 5th.

Eryri finishers were:

Math Roberts 12th, 15.52
Paul Wathan 21st, 2nd U20 male, 16.12
Tony Woodall 54th, 17.39
Gemma Morgans 131st, 2nd U20 female, 21.00

There were 218 finishers.

Results:

http://www.tattenhallrunners.com/20.html

Garn British Champs Fell Race - Pre Entry

This race is pre-entry only before June 30th. The race is on August 1st. With Tebay already full we need a big turn out here, the blokes have a good chance of securing their best finish for a good few years, with 4th a strong possibility. A classic short race which even I shouldn't get lost on..

Fill out the standard WFRA entry form. www.wfra.org.uk
http://www.wfra.me.uk/Y%20Garn.pdf

1pm. £4, pre entry only by 30 th June,

Ross Powell
Pen y Buarth Farm,
Upper Llandwrog,
Caenarfon,
Gwynedd,
LL54 7RD

Cheers

Iain 'DNF' Ridgway

Friday, 8 May 2009

WELSH CASTLES RELAY 2009

Anyone wishing to compete in the event on Saturday/Sunday 13th/14th June 2009 please contact: Arwel Lewis now on: 07977601029. Names have to be in by Friday 15th May to register for the event.
About the Castles: The event comprises of twenty separate races from Caernarfon to Cardiff castle. i.e. Stage 1. Start at 10:30am/9.1 miles from Caernarfon to Penygroes. Stage 2. Start at 11:30am/10.75 miles from Penygroes to Criccieth castle. Stage 3. Start at 12:25pm/12.3 miles from Criccieth castle to Maentwrog and so on to Stage 20 Start at 15:10pm/10.7 miles from Caerphilly castle to Cardiff castle.

Please contact Arwel now as we are short of the required twenty runners.

W/e 'local' fell running, 9/10 May ...

Sat 9 May, Ras Foel Fras, BL 12m/3100ft, M: 1.37, F: 2.02. Start 13.00, Abergwyngregyn. Over 18. EOD £5.
Tuesday 12 May, 7.15pm, Moel y Gest evening race, Tyddyn Llwyn campsite, Borth y Gest, SH 562 383, EOD £1.50. (Please register at 6.30 if you can).
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' site: http://eryriharriers.blogspot.com/ and WFRA http://www.wfra.org.uk/

Advance notices:
"Possibly the most classic 8-mile fell race in Wales ..." Sat 16 May, Ras Moel Eilio, AM 8miles/3000ft, M: 58.36, F: 72.44. Start 13.00. Walking event starts 11.00. Registration from 10.00, Heights Hotel, Llanberis. www.saabsalomonoutdoorteam.com EOD minimum donation £4, proceeds to Cancer Research. Marshals needed, if you can help, please call Tim on 07500 927 037.
No evening race on Tuesday 19th May. Next race, Abergwyngregyn, 26 May.
Sat 6th June, Welsh 1000m Peaks Race, Abergwyngregyn to Snowdon, 20miles/8900ft, pre-entry by 26th May, http://www.gorphwysfa.org.uk/
Weds 1st July, Vaynol Park 10k, pre-entry only by 29th June or when 300 reached. Forms from http://www.gwylfelin.org/ or eilir.felin@btopenworld.com
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: Another showery day with scattered heavy showers and bright or sunny spells. Brisk or strong southwesterly winds will ease.
Sunday: Bright with broken cloud and a few showers, these locally heavy. Fresh west or northwesterly winds.
Snowdonia Mountain Forecast: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/loutdoor/mountainsafety/snowdonia/snowdonia_latest_weather.html

Wednesday, 6 May 2009

WINDY RHOSTRYFAN WIN FOR BRENDAN

Eryri's Brendan Rothery stormed to victory in the tough Rhostryfan 10k on Wednesday 6th May, making light of the strong headwind from Rhosgadfan to Y Fron winning in a time of 36:09 followed by teamate Iain Ridgway 37:55 with Jordan Evans making it an Eryri 123 in a time of 38:30. 4th Rhys Owen (U/A) 38:49. 5th Caernarfon Rugby club captain Trystan Gwilym 39:30. 6th Chris Evans (Eryri) 40:09. 7th (1st V/50) Iwan Edgar (Eryri) 40:16. 8th Arwel Lewis (Eryri) 40:28. 9th (1st V/40) Arfon Owen (Cybi) 41:59 and 10th (1st Senior Female) Sarah Ridgway (Eryri) (Despite calf and tummy trouble!) 42:44.
There were 25 finishers in the senior race with also a good turnout in the junior races.
Well done to Mair and Dewi Tomos for once again organising the event.

British Championship after Round 2

Following the 2nd Round of the British Fell Running Champs at Stuc a Chroin the ladies and mens teams both lie in strong positions, in 2nd and 5th respectively.

Tables:

http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/results/champs09/bri/british.tf.htm

http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/results/champs09/bri/british.tm.htm

With 2 rounds to go, which comprise 2 races quite close to home, things look good. However Tebay is now full. Following Tebay the last race is Garn.

In the mens individual table Richard Roberts lies 15th, Math Roberts 22nd, Iain Ridgway 35th, with Paul Jenkinson 28th (66th overall) in the vet 40's and SPJ and Adam Haynes in 11th and 16th respectively in the vet 50's, with Mike Blake 7th in the vet 60's,

In the womens individuals Jackie Lee lies 3rd, Jemmy Hemming 11th, Sarah Ridgway 17th and Rebecca Law 20th. In the womens V40 Ali Thomas is 10th, Annie Williams 17th and Emily Wood 31st.

For individual tables and other tables see:
http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/championships.htm#brit

Tuesday, 5 May 2009

RHOSTRYFAN 10K

One local race on this Wednesday 6th May is the annual Rhostryfan 10km road race. Start 7:15pm. Mountain runners should enjoy the uphill start and finish!

Local fell racing

No evening race on Tuesday 5 May.
Advance notices:
Sat 9 May, Ras Foel Fras, BL 13.5m/3100ft, M: 1.17, F: 1.56. Start 13.00, Abergwyngregyn. EOD £5.
Tuesday 12 May, 7.15pm, Moel y Gest evening race, Tyddyn Llwyn campsite, Borth y Gest, SH 562 383, EOD £1.50. (Please register at 6.30 if you can).
"Possibly the most classic 8-mile fell race in Wales ..."
Sat 16 May, Ras Moel Eilio, AM 8miles/3000ft, M: 58.36, F: 72.44. Start 13.00. Walking event starts 11.00. Registration from 10.00, Heights Hotel, Llanberis. www.saabsalomonoutdoorteam.com EOD minimum donation £4, proceeds to Cancer Research. Marshals needed, if you can help, please call Tim on 07500 927 037.
Fri 29 May, Deganwy Dash, 5miles, 7.15pm, £6, pre-entry forms on WFRA site.
Sat 6th June, Welsh 1000m Peaks Race, Abergwyngregyn to Snowdon, 20miles/8900ft, pre-entry by 26th May, http://www.gorphwysfa.org.uk/
Weds 1st July, Vaynol Park 10k, pre-entry only by 29th June or when 300 reached. Forms from http://www.gwylfelin.org/ or eilir.felin@btopenworld.com
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

Sunday, 3 May 2009

Stuc a` Chroin British Champs leg 2

Once again a good crowd of Eryri runners made the 7 hour journey up to the village of Strathyre near Stirling to compete in the second race of the British fell champs.

The race was 14 miles with 5000feet of ascent, to compare the race to anything in Wales would be impossible as the two main climbs are as steep as you get in any fell race. The Scots nickname it the 'Chingrinder' and the climb up Meall Mor as well as up Beinn Each certainly was tight on the chin! For the 'true runners' in us there was a 2mile foresty track section at the start and finish.

Provisional results for the club were:

Rich Roberts 28th 2.23
Iain R 30th 2.25
Math R 40th 2.28
Steve PJ 66th 2.37
Jackie Lee 72nd 2.38
Noel Craine 86th 2.45
Jenny Hemming 137th 2.58
Mike Blake 175th 3.10
Beckie Law 197th 3.15
Ali Thomas 230th 3.26
Alwyn Oliver 234th 3.27
Dilwyn Rowlands - competing in his first ever away day British champs - 241st 3.32

Early indications are the ladies got 3rd team and the men's perhaps 5th or 6th?

Provisional results below:

http://www.shr.uk.com/RaceResults.aspx?RaceID=RA-0033&RaceYear=2009

Next race in the champs will be Tebay on the 20th June, unfortunately I believe this race is already full, but if you entered there probably will be a mini bus going on the day.

Friday, 1 May 2009

WEEKEND ROAD RACING

Maldwyn Harriers host the Newtown 10km on Sunday 3rd May. Start 11:30am from Latham Park, Newtown Football Club. Post Code: SY16 1EN. Entries on the Day: Attached £7. U/A £9.
New course over road and footpaths along the river Severn.

Nant Peris Midweek Race - Trainers Found

Has anyone lost a paid of children’s trainers on Tuesday night? If so call Mike on 01286 831115.

CHAMPIONS



Eryri Harriers men successfully defended their Borders Road Running League championship title with another impressive display in the final race of the season at Wrexham on Wednesday 29th April, where Eryri's Rob Samuel was again supreme in winning the 4mile race in 20:01 to emphasise his dominance of the league having won all six races that he has competed in, backed up by 5th Matthew Roberts, 9th Brendan Rothery, 14th Paul Wathan, 26th Iain Ridgway, 38th (On his Eryri and Border League debut) Jordan Evans from Bethel, 47th (also on his B/L debut) Matthew Ward, 51st Tony Woodall and 67th Paul Howarth the club's ten counters who ensured that Eryri were team winners on the night, other Eryri finishers were: 90th Arwel Lewis, 109th Steve Livett, 114th Emyr Davies, 128th Ashley Wager, 132nd Peter Lewis, 153rd Ian Rothery, 170th Mervyn Williams, 189th Richard Williams and 263rd Roy Jardine.


Though Eryri's ladies were relegated back to the 2nd Division after only the one season in the first, there was still a Golden lining with Sarah Ridgway, despite suffering with severe calf cramps after her 53 mile highland Fling! doing just enough finishing 121st overall on the night to win the senior womens title by one point with 141st, (on her Border League debut) Sarah Livett and 181st Gemma Morgans.


Overall individual awards went to:


1st Senior Male - Rob Samuel


1st Senior Female - Sarah Ridgway


1st Male Vet/65 - Don Williams


2nd Female U/20 - Gemma Morgans


2nd Male Vet/65 - Emyr Davies


3rd Senior Male - Brendan Rothery


4th Male Vet/50 - Arwel Lewis


7th Senior Male - Iain Ridgway





Summary:


Another outstanding Border League season for the club despite our ladies relegation we had the male and female overall champions in Rob and Sarah (a club first), our men successfully defended their championship title which we won for the first time last year, that's all thanks to the club members who have given up their time and put in the effort to support Eryri when we needed you, Sarah Ridgway is some tough Aussie (well she is technically Welsh now!) the fact that she could actually walk let alone run at Wrexham after her ultra success only four days earlier speaks volumes for her winning mentality, the same could be said of her husband Iain who also did well in the ultra race following on from his 100km stroll along Galway's promenade in March, must be something in the water at Nant Peris! What more can you say about Rob Samuel who dominated the season scoring a perfect 6 points.


Well done everyone

Great Arete Midweek Series - Race 4 Nant Peris



Hands up to anyone whose quads weren’t screaming on Wednesday!

Having discovered the course last year while working in Nant I thought the least I could do was rope in ‘Arwel’s Angels’ for the time keeping and do my first mid week race in 2 years. ½ way up the climb, a weeks good living in Tenerife, marking the course & sitting doing the registration for an hour suddenly had their effect! Nearly beaten to the summit by the 1st junior, 50 & 60 ladies the realisation had not only the wheels fallen off but they had also gone off down the hill without me!

Victory convincingly went to Rob Greenwood, Paul Jenkins on and Dafydd Whiteside Thomas unstoppable in the 40’s and 60’s while a surprise over 50 victory went to Ross “Mr 72 min” Powell, Henry Williams taking the under 16 in 9th.

In the ladies Becky Law continued to dominate from the “Bog Trotter” and “JJ” with Maggie Oliver, Bridget Ripley and Lisa Peters taking the 60, 50 and junior.

Next race Moel Y Gest Porthmadog on May 12th followed by Aber on May 26th.

Caernarfon Tyres Junior Series

Kes Thomas tool his 4th win in the under 8, John Spill his 1st overall win with Bronwen Jenkinson taking the girls in 8th overall.