Ifan Richards of Brithdir dominated proceedings at last Saturday's Tyn-y-Groes Hill Race held in Ganllwyd, near Dolgellau, as he claimed a comfortable victory in a time of 15.57mins, knocking a remarkable 44 seconds off the previously held course record.

The new record was set in gloriously sunny conditions which greeted the field who had gathered to take on the 2.1 mile course which included a steep climb of around 700 feet. Having won the event in 2009, a repeat performance was very much on the cards from the in-form Meirionnydd Running Club athlete, what nobody could have predicted was the ease of victory as well as the amount taken off the previous course record.

Indeed, athletes from Meirionnydd Running Club dominated the event, claiming the first four overall finishers as well as victory in the female section of the race.

Janet Preston of Dolgellau on her way to victory within the female category at the Tyn-y-Groes Hill Run held last Saturday.

The top four were completed by the Dolgellau based duo of Tom Roberts and Adam Preston in times of 17.41mins & 17.56mins with Tony Hodgson of Llanelltyd claiming an exellent fourth placed finish in a time of 20.09mins. It was to prove a successful day for the Preston household as Janet Preston claimed victory in the female section of the race in a time of 27.31mins.

There were also some excellent performances within the junior categories as Gerwyn Roberts of Ganllwyd won the junior male section in a time of 22.16mins with Cara Evans of Brithdir claiming success in the junior female category in a time of 35.01mins.

Other performances of note at the event came from the Meirionnydd duo of Graeme Stringer & Ricky Francis as the Llanelltyd based athlete led home the Talyllyn based athlete in respective times of 20.33mins & 21.17mins. Also counting for Meirionnydd on the day were Brithdir-based Kevin Evans, home in a time of 23.04mins & John Smith of Dolgellau, completing the course in a time of 24.02mins.

Bro Dysynni A.C. were also represented on the day by a quartet of competitors amongst whom were Richard Griffiths of Tywyn & Alan Jones of Bryncrug, home in times of 24.21mins & 25.01mins. Other locally affiliated athletes in action on the day were the Meirionnydd duo of Danny Evans of Brithdir and Barrie Jackson of Bala home in respective times of 30.30mins & 31.04mins with a beaming Andy Unwin of Harlech following, the Bro Dysynni stalwart home in 37.43mins, with club-mate Sheila Symonds of Dolgellau producing another fine performance as she crossed the line in a time of 49.57mins

As has become the tradition with the Tyn-y-Groes event, all entry fee monies collected on the day (a total of £91) will be passed on to the Ukraine Humanitarian Aid charity.