Ifan Richards the eventual winner......pic by Alastair                         John Smith....pic by Jane with Pete's camera

Ganllwyd was the venue last Saturday lunchtime for the annual Tyn-Y-Groes Hill Race, an event which can trace its original roots back to 1925 and beyond, with records of past winners kept in the nearby Tyn-Y-Groes Hotel for the sake of posterity. The 2009 edition attracted an enthusiastic field with the local Meirionnydd Running Club being particularly well represented. Indeed, it was they who provided the race winner of the 2..1 mile event, which included 700 feet of climbing, as Ifan Richards of Brithdir completed the course in an excellent time of 17.16mins. Familiar faces followed, as Dafydd Roberts of Dolgellau was 2nd home in 18.16mins with Mark Atherton of Llan Ffestiniog being the 2nd Meirionnydd Running Club competitor home in a time of 18.44mins, a time good enough to claim an overall 3rd placed finish.

The ladies event was dominated by Sian Roberts of Dolgellau as a time of 21.07mins ensured victory in the female section of the race as well as 6th placed position overall. Next female home was Sioned Jones of Brithdir, the Meirionnydd Running Club member home in 29.36mins, whilst the evergreen Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau, one of only two Bro Dysynni A.C. athletes in action on the day, claimed 3rd spot in a time of 45.55mins.

A total of £176 was raised from entry monies and donations for the Charity Ukraine Humanitarian Aid all of which will be directly spent on medicines for child cancer patients in the Ukraine.

Following the ensuing hospitality at the Tyn-y-Groes Hotel many of the contestants and supporters moved on to a barbecue hosted by Sue and Pete Nicholls whose garden is opeming under the National Gardens Scheme on 26th July. Details