December 2021.
12th Telford 10k.
Richard Hankinson finished in a time of 47:01.
5th Aberystwyth 10k.
Helen Wyn Jones finished in a time of 54:13.
Tony Hodgson 95th Male. 50.18 2nd M70.
November 2021.
20th Penmanmawr fell race.
Matt Fenwick finished the 10 mile fell race in a time of 1:25:39.
14th Dyfi 8.
Helen Jones finished in 1:17:26 claiming 1st F50.
14th Abergele 5k including North Wales Championship.
Euros Evans finished in 16:52 claiming 2nd U20 and Silver U20 in the North Wales Championship.
Clive Edgington finished in 21:15 claiming Silver M65 in the North Wales Championship.
Jeff Davies finished in 23:30 claiming 2nd M70 and Silver M70 in the North Wales Championship.
Sioned Mair Jones in 27:14 won the 3rd F40 and Silver F40 in the North Wales Championship.
6th Ras Rhobell Fawr.
Saturday saw the return of the Meirionnydd winter series following the pandemic break. 73 showed up to do battle with the hill and the elements. One pandemic change was an alteration to the start to avoid the confines of the usual lane. In view of the forecast heavy rain and 60mph gusts the race was shortened to the top of the final steep climb some 3-400m short of the trig point to provide meagre shelter for the marshals. Joel Gomez (Wrexham AAC) led onto the open fell with Sion Edwards (Eryri Harriers), Ifs Richards (Meirionnydd RC) and Laurence Ramsey (Eryri) in hot pursuit. Gomez lost ground on the fell with Edwards the first to shake the summit marshal’s hand. However local man Richards was ready for the descent, leading by the time they were back to the bwlch stile and was not to be denied on the lower slopes, finishing in 49:39. 28 seconds. Edwards took second and though Gomez was next in he failed a kit check (no map) and 3rd place was awarded to the race record holder Lloyd Taggart (Manx FRC) finishing in 51:36.
Eryri athletes dominated the women’s race. Lizzie Richards established a good pace arriving first at the bwlch, ahead of Elliw Haf and Hayley Evans (u/a) with Jackie Lee in 4th. On the way to the top Haf and Evans gained 4 places each. Richards regained the bwlch with the same lead but Lee showed her experience on the descent to arrive just ahead of Haf with Evans a couple of places behind. Back down the track no-one was catching Richards who finished in 56:25 and 12th place overall with team mates Lee behind in 60:54 and Haf 61:44 with Evans 4th in 63:42.
The Winner was Ifan Richards of Meirionnydd Running club finishing in a time of 49:39.
And the first Woman was Lizzie Richardson from Eryri Harriers in a time of 56:25.
Junior men’s prize and 7th overall went to Jasper Ray (u/a) in a creditable 55:37. The M40 prize went to Peter Jones (Oswestry Olympians) in 54:30 -6th overall. Peter Agnew (Buckley Runners) was 1st M50 in 60:14, and Russell Owen (Eryri) was M60 winner in 59:25 and 15th overall. Dei Jones (Eryri) claimed the M70 prize, gaining steadily as soon as he hit the fell to finish in 76:40 and 53rd place overall.
Hayley Evans was awarded 1st F40, the F50 prize went to Juliet Edwards (Meirionnydd) finishing in 72:59, Ellie Salisbury (Eryri) took the F60 prize in 76:19 and Maggie Oliver took the F70 prize in 102:42.
To complete a very good day for Eryri they took both men’s and women’s team prizes, from Meirionnydd, Maldwyn Harriers and Bro Dysynni for the men and from Meirionnydd for the women.
Runners were very appreciative of the range of delicious hot soups and cakes and hot drinks available afterwards and much applause greeted the arrival of the marshals out of the rain and the members of South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team who once again were out there on the hill for us. Overall the race ran like clockwork, and thanks are due to all our club members and friends who contributed to its success.
Local performances
It was wonderful that the host clubs M40 star Ifs Richards won the race overall. The club fielded a very big team with several athletes dipping their toes (and much of the rest of themselves!) into fell running for the first time. Rhys Davies climbed the field steadily to be our second man home under the hour in 15th place overall and 5th M40 being beaten to 4th place by Darren Helston’s (Bro Dysynni) 56:21. At 67:51 club chair Dylan Evans was 5th M50. Anna Buckingham was our first woman home and 6th in the women’s competition in 68:09, Eleanor Davies was 4th F40 in 69:16, Juliet Edwards took probably her last F50 prize, Glyn Rowlands’ 78:10 got him 6th M60 and come-back-kid Tony Hodgson was second man M70 in 79:58 ahead of Senior Goat Pete Nicholls , very much on his home turf, 3rd in 86:00 ahead of Bro Dysynni’s Richard Grifiths who was 67th overall in 98:53.
A message from our Chair Dylan Evans:
M70
"A big thank you to all that made Ras Rhobell Fawr such a success yesterday.
To all the Marshals who gave up their time to stand out in some pretty atrocious weather , to South Snowdonia Search & Rescue Team for putting on safety cover for the runners , to all in the kitchen for the hot soup, tea and cakes. Much needed!
And of course race our race organiser Nich Bradley, for all his hard work in making the day go like clockwork.
Meirionnydd Running Club runners included:
October 2021.
31st - Clwydian Hills..
Rhodri ap Dyfrig finished in 24th position with a time of 1:40:45.
23rd - NWXC league race 2, Bangor.
Seven runners ran in the senior race in Division 1. Scoring a total of 89 with 2nd place for Rhodri Owen; 6th Tom Roberts; 15th Ifan Richards; 16th Gwion Roberts; 24th Geraint Pugh; 26th Euros Evans and 133 Richard Hankinson. As a result we have jumped up to Third place in the league. Scores after two races:
In the Senior Women race Anna Buckingham finished in 11th place followed by 63rd Nia Evans; Helen Wyn Jones 85th. was our only runner and finished in 35th position. Score needs checking because they havent included anna's score.
17th - Flintshire 10k, Mold inc North Wales championship race.
Four Meirionnydd Runners ran in the Flintshire 10k. First home to win the race was Rhodri Owen in 33:02 also claiming gold in the 10k North Wales Championship (NWC). He was followed home by Geraint Pugh in 36:19 claiming Senior Bronze in NWC; Richard Hankinson in 47:39 M60 Silver in Nwc and Nich Bradley 50:11 M65 Bronze in NWC.
10th - Kilham multi terrain 10k.
Richard Hankinson ranin the KIlham Muilti terrain 10k finishing 2nd M60 in 49:07.
Richard said: "Kilham multi terrain 10k also not far from the town, run on a mix of small roads, hills, farm tracks and paths including the “tunnel” that was the subject of some of David Hockney’s paintings. Happy with 49:07 38/203 and 2nd in my age category for this one but gutted (yes really) not to get the bag of potatoes for 1st. Everything was made ok on the way back though - we were following a tractor towing a trailer full of them and just as we were about to turn off one fell off the trailer. So i got my prize anyway."
3rd - Chester Marathon.
Tom Roberts ran the Chester Marathon finishing 3rd in 2:33:45.
Tom said: "15weeks ago my running mojo was well and truly gone, 16months of no racing and some weeks barely running. I needed a target to get me out of the rut so decided to give Chester Marathon a go. Few weeks of base training then a 10 week block. To start off with there was no set target just to see how things went. But I’m usually good at getting my fitness back and I believed I was in sub 2:30:00 shape by race day. It was going great up to mile 22 on schedule to run the plan A target, but then some cramp started kicking in and it was a slog to the finish line in a time of 2:33:45 3rd place. Not at all disappointed with the run or time, marathon racing takes a long time to get that perfect run and I can’t wait for the next one. London 2022."
2nd - Abersoch 10k.
Three ran in the Abersoch 10k. First home was Richard Hankinson 2nd M60 in 50:12 followed by Nia Evans in 53:17 and Helen Wyn Jones in 55:35.
2nd - NWXC league race 1, Wrecsam.
We had 5 runners running n the senior race in Division 1. Scoring a total of 349 with 3rd place for Rhodri Owen; 15 Ifan Richards; 24 Geraint Pugh; 26 Euros Evans and 139 Kyle Watts and a penalty of 142 for not having a 6th runner giving the club 6th place in Division after 1 race. This is only 10 points between us and Denbigh in the second relegation spot.
In the Senior Women race Juliet Edwards was our only runner and finished in 35th position.
In the M65 race Frankie Vaughan finished in 6th place.
September 2021.
26th - Farndon 10K.
Gwion Roberts ran in the Farndon 10k he finished 10th in a time of 34:38.
19th - Caernarfon Half Marathon.
Rhodri Owen Won the race in a time of 1:14:23.
12th - Snowdonia Epic Trai 10k, Betws y Coed.
Aranli Thomas competed in the First Tough Runners UK held Snowdonia Epic Trail 10k and finished in a time of 1.00.33.
8th - Ruthin 5k
Three Meirionnydd runners ran the race. First home was Gwion Roberts claiming 3rd in 16:35. He was followed home by Aranli Thomas 26th in 23.22 and Gerald Cooper 40th in 28.22 .
4th - Trail 10k.
First home was Rhodri Owen claiming 2nd Male Overall in a time of 38:17; he was followed by Ifan Richards 1st M40 in 41:36; Euros Evans 43:37; Rhodri Ap Dyfrig 3rd M40 44:42; Anna Buckingham 2nd Female Overall 49:33; Richard Hankinson 3rd M60 55:31; Nia Evans 1:02:06; Helen Jones 1:04:34; Margaret Roberts 1:08:07; Kyle Watts 1:13:45 and Nia Wyn Evans 1:20:07.
4th - Village Bakery Wrexham Half Marathon.
Gwion and Tom Roberts ran in the Half marathon. Tom finished in 20th place in a time of 01:12:26 claiming GOLD in SM North Wales Championship. And Gwion was close behind in 45th place with a time of 01:16:50 to claim the BRONZE.
August 2021.
27th - Mid Cheshire 5k
Two Meirionnydd runners were in action at this fast 5k, a favourite for PB chasers across the North West and in 2017 and again in 2018 hosted the England Athletics 5k championships. The current course records are 13.45 and 15.38. Tom Roberts finished in 42nd place with a time of 15:20 and Rhodri Owen in 15:31
22nd - Birchwood 10k.
Gwion and Tom Roberts ran the Birchwood 10k. Tom was 2nd in 33:48 and Gwion came in 3rd in 35:37.
8th - Preseli Beast Bach, 11 miles.
Rhodri ap Dyfrig finished 5th in a time of 01:30:43. Rhodri said "It was not a mass start race, but a timed race with everyone starting within a half hour slot. It was my first time on the course, which was challenging, a proper steep climb and suitably rapid steep descent from Foel Cwmcerwyn".
1st - 2021 Fairy Freckled Cow Trail Race, Alwen Reservoir.
Tom Roberts Won the race and claimed the GOLD medal in the North Wales Trail Championship.
July 2021
25th - Helena Tipping 10k Wrexham.
Richard Hankinson raced guiding his blind friend Louise. She finished in 56:34, which was close to her pb.
24th - Arenig Fawr Fell race.
Four club runners ran the race, First home of the four was Rhodri ap Dyfrig in 1:54:54, followed by Rhys Davies 2:08:01; Dylan Evans 2:19:21; Adam Preston 2:19:23.
18th - Chester Aldi 10k.
Aranli Thomas ran the race finishing in 54.27.
18th - Nick Beer 10K Llandudno.
Four Meirionnydd runners ran the 10k with the first home Tom Roberts in 35:51 followed by Gwion Roberts 36:45; Geraint Pugh 38:51 and Gerald Cooper 1:00:39.
17th - Welsh 1000.
At the 50th running of the Welsh 1000s Ben Wells took part in the Long Fell Race. Ben reached Ogwen in 02:47 and at 04:47 was at Pen y Pass and finished in 06:25:34.
10th - Piece of Cake half-marathon.
Olly Downing ran the race in 2:36:39.
June 2021
5th - Dyfi ultra 50 miles.
Richard Hankinson completed the race in 17 and a half hours.
27 April re-start Tuesday Night runs.
Lockdown rule relaxed and the Club's first Tuesday night run of 2021 was George III.
January 2021 Tarren Hendre.
Due to the ongoing Pandemic and Covid 19 Restrictions the Tarren Hendre race has been cancelled.