Course records smashed in local fell race.

A warm sunny Spring day in Llanuwchllyn created perfect conditions for the 107 runners who took part in this years Aran Organic Lamb fell race and course records fell like cherry blossom.

In the main race Tim Davies of Mercia and Richard Roberts of Eryri battled all the way to the summit of the 3000ft Aran Fawddwy and were still only 8 seconds apart when they got back to the finish line at the end of the 10 mile race. The victory went to Davies in 1.23.26 a full 8 minutes inside the course record while Roberts time of 1.23.34 was 15mins faster than his previous best for the course. Roland Stafford of Mercia came home third in 1.31.41 Age group wins, and new records were set by both Alan Ward of Dark Peak (0/40) in 1.34.02 and Adam Haynes of Eryri (0/50) in 1.38.42 Mike Blake of Eryri was first man 0/60 in 2.00.19

The results in the ladies race were even more spectacular with the first four runners finishing inside the previous record. Kate Bailey, of host club Meirionnydd RC, and Anna Bartlett of Shrewsbury were neck and neck toward the top of the mountain but Bailey managed to pull out a lead on the descent and crossed the line first in 1.41.14 seven minutes inside the course record and a magnificent 9th place overall. Bartlett came home in 1.44.10 and Andrea Roberts of Eryri was third in 1.46.07

Age group wins went to Sandra Rowlands of Clwydian RR (0/40) breaking her age record with a time of 2.05.00 while Maggie Oliver of Eryri shattered the 0/60 course record by a phenomenal 28mins finishing in 2.20.25

There was also a good turn out of local athletes, mainly from the Meirionnydd Running Club. Kevin Jones, despite his dislike for down hill running, romped home in 1.49.24 with new club mate Ifan Richards not far behind in 1.54.58 Next home was Hedd Evans, who chose to run in trainers instead of his traditional hiking boots, and he duly took the first local prize in 2.07.44 Next in was John D Smith in 2.12.38 while a struggling Iori Jones completed the course in 2.29.24

The Garth Fawr junior race was won by Owain Llyr James in 14.13 and first girl was Elin Edwards in 23.53 Ras yr Aran was the final counter in the Meirionnydd winter race series, an accumulation of times from the Aran, Tarren Hendre and Rhobell Fawr races. Richard Roberts second place today was more than enough to secure him the Race Series, finishing with a cumulative time of 3.04.49 a new series record, nearly half an hour ahead of his nearest competitor. The ladies race however was a far far closer affair but Kate Baileys win on the day wasn’t by a big enough margin over Anna Bartlett, and the series win went to the latter by a mere 12 seconds. Bartletts finishing time of 3.42.27 was also a series record.

The organisers would like to express their thanks to all of the Aran landowners and the Eagles Inn and Aran Organic lamb who made the race possible.