News Report 24th March 2008
Gale force winds and icy conditions greeted the competitors who
braved the elements in order to take part in the 5th annual running of the
'Organic Aran Lamb' sponsored Ras Yr Aran Fell Race which was held last
Saturday afternoon in Llanuwchllyn. Indeed, such was the severity of the conditions, the race organisers were left with no option but
to shorten the original 10 mile course to a shorter, 7 mile event due to
the adverse conditions on higher grounds.
Undeterred by the conditions, the race attracted a record entry of
115 competitors to an event which steadily increases in popularity from
year-to-year. Winning the race in 2008, at his first attempt over the course
was Welsh International fell runner, Tim Davies
(Mercia Fell Runners), who completed the 7 mile event in a time of 58.16mins,
one of only three competitors to come home in under the hour mark. The first of
the local competitors to finish was seasoned campaigner, Steve Gilliland (Bro
Dysynni A.C.), in a time of 1hr 03.46mins which was good enough to claim a 6th
place finish overall for the Tywyn-based athlete.
The first lady finisher followed, as Helen Fines (Calder
Valley Fell Runners) made the journey down to North Wales from her
Dave Whittey of Llanelltyd was the first Meirionydd Running Club
athlete home, in a time of 1hr 19.40mins with club-colleague, Tony Hodgson of
Porthmadog, continuing his comeback after a lengthy injury lay-off,
following home in 1hr 23.20mins. Richard Griffiths (Bro Dysynni
A.C.) of Tywyn turned in an impressive performance as he came home in 1hr
26.35mins, on this occasion gaining the upper-hand over Nich Bradley of
Dolgellau, as the Meirionnydd Running Club athlete came home in 1hr 31.22mins.
Four other Meirionnydd Running Club athletes completed the local turn-out as
John Smith of Dolgellau finished in 1hr 32.23mins, Kevin Evans of Brithdir in
1hr 34.28mins,
The race was also the culmination of the 2008 Meirionnydd Winter
Race Series, with earlier fell races having been held at Rhobell Fawr and
Tarren Hendre. A cumulative total achieved over the three race series saw Steve
Gilliland having the added bonus of winning the 'Male Section' of the series
with the 'Female Section' winner being Sarah Ridgway (Eryri Harriers). Their
efforts over the 3 race series were recognised by the event sponsors, 'Organic
Aran Lamb' who presented them both with a succulent half of lamb.
Affiliated to the main race in Llanuwchllyn was the shorter 2-mile
Ras Y Garth, aimed at the next generation of fell runners. The race attracted
an enthusiastic response with two 14 year-olds claiming victory in their
respective categories as Owain James (Eryri Harriers) led home the boys section
in 15.42mins with Lisa Peters (Menai T. & F.) leading home the girls in a
time of 16.32mins.
As ever, the race organisers offered their sincere thanks to those
who continue to assist in making the event an ongoing success, most notably the
main race sponsors, Organic Aran Lamb and the Eagles Inn, Llanuwchllyn, as well
as to the land owners over whose land the race is run and also to the many
individuals and organisations (too numerous to mention) who give of their time
so willingly to help out on the day.
A.Unwin