Pics from Alastair

The freezing weather conditions did not dampen the enthusiasm of the athletes who gathered in Abergynolwyn last Saturday lunchtime to take on the challenge of the Tarren Hendre Fell Race, a 6 mile event which included a tough 2,000 feet of climbing.

With athletes having travelled from as far as Lancashire and the Midlands to take part in the event, it was left to athletes from within the Principality to dominate, with Eryri Harriers having five athletes placed in the final top 10, with local club, Meirionnydd R.C. having four.

It was left to athletes from Eryri Harriers to claim the respective race winners as Iwan Morton won the male event in a time of 51.55mins with team-mate, Andrea Rowlands, claiming victory in the female section in a time of 1hr 00.56mins.

The large Meirionnydd R.C. contingent were led home by the consistent Ifan Richards of Brithdir, settling for runners up spot on this occasion in a time of 53.46mins. Three Dolgellau based athletes affiliated to Meirionnydd also claimed Top 10 finishes, namely Tomos Roberts, 4th in a time of 55.52mins, Adam Preston, 5th in a time of 56.11mins & Kevin Jones, 9th in a time 57.49mins. Mark Atherton of Llan Ffestiniog was the 5th Meirionnydd finisher in a time of 59.24mins before the Bro Dysynni duo of Dylan & Tom Jones of Aberdyfi followed, Dylan winning the family battle as they finished in respective times of 1.00.08mins & 1hr 02.10mins. Llanelltyd-based athlete, Tony Hodgson was next home, the Meirionnydd R.C. stalwart stepping up his preparations for the London Marathon as he claimed victory in the Male Over-60 category in a time of 1hr 04.34mins.

The 1st of the locally affiliated female athletes followed as Juliet Edwards of Dolgellau crossed the line in a time of 1hr 13.05mins, marginally ahead of John Marsh of Tywyn, the Tarren Hendre athlete utilising local knowledge to finish in a time of 1hr 13.37mins. It was then left to 5 further athletes affiliated to Meirionnydd R.C. to complete the local contingent, Amanda Wilde finishing in 1hr 16.54mins, Alison Price of Fairbourne in 1hr 20.18mins, Nich Bradley of Dolgellau in 1hr 21.10mins, Janet Preston, also of Dolgellau, in 1hr 24.07mins and Ricky Francis in a time of 1hr 28.47mins.

With the race being supported by Forestry Commission (Wales), it was left to their representative on the day, Graeme Stringer (Recreation Ranger) to state 'It is very pleasing to see this event attract an ever growing number of local athletes, as well as a contingent who are willing to travel from much further afield to take part in an event which is now firmly established within the North Wales fell running calendar.'

As ever the race organisers also expressed their gratitude to the Railway Inn in Abergynolwyn for their ongoing support in the event as well as to the large number of volunteers who assisted in raceday running as smoothly as ever.