THE Dolgellau five-mile race is an annual race organised by Clwb Rhedeg Meirionnydd and is described as ‘hilly’ and that is true from the outset with a steep climb facing the runners right at the beginning. However the plus side is the fantastic views on the top and the fast descent to the finish, writes Clare Lancaster.

Eight Aberystwyth Athletic Club runners made the short journey northwards and had a great day out. Shelley Childs led the Aber contingent home in a personal best time for the course of 31.08 finishing 3rd overall and 1st in his category.

Not far behind him in 32.42 and securing 2nd in his category was Ian Evans with Shane Roberts finishing in 33.10 and Anita Saycell coming 2nd in her category in a time of 39.39.

Deian Creunant finished in 40.56 with Kevin Holland hot on his heels in 41.00 and securing 2nd in his category.

Theresa Sharland crossed the finish line in 47.33 with John Evans finishing in 1.03.48, winning his category and setting a new record in the 80 and over category.

Shelley Childs was happy with a podium place and personal best time: “The Dolgellau 5 has been on the running calendar for many years, and I’ve managed to run it on five occasions, the first one being 2007 from memory.

“It’s a hilly race, starting on a steep incline of around a kilometre before a short descent to climb two which isn’t as bad as the first.

“Following that, it’s either down or flat all the way back to Dol for the finish.

“I had a good race, starting steadily and picking things up after the climbs.

“I’m not the best downhill runner, but today I leaned into it and surprised myself.

“The atmosphere is great at Dolgellau Rugby Club throughout the day, so hats off to Clwb Rhedeg Meirionnydd for another outstanding local race.”

Also running last weekend was Llyr Ab Einion who took part in the Victoria Park half marathon in East London and the route follows smooth park paths and takes runners through open lawns and tree-lined avenues.

The race also provides runners with an opportunity to try and get a personal best and that is exactly what Llyr did finishing in 1:22:35 and setting a PB by 16 seconds as well as coming 6th overall in a field of 460.

Mid week racing is also becoming popular with the blue army and last Wednesday saw the second race of the AbeRastwyth 5k series and with a new record of 158 runners taking part there was a good representation from the blue army.

Coming in first for Aber AC was Janos Vranek who set a new course record in 14:53 and over a minute ahead of the rest of the field.

Next to finish and in 6th place overall was Owain Rowlands in 16:57; Llyr Ab Einion came in in 17:42; Shane Roberts in 19:22; Paul Williams finishing first in the M55 category in 19:56; Iain Barber second M55 in 20:34; Rabi Thapa in 20:35; Daniel Back in 21:18; Lynwen Huxtable was the first Aber AC lady back and second in the F55 category in 22:15; Lyndsey Wheeler finished in 22:18; Deian Creunant in 23:08; Richard Munn in 23:13; Mel Hopkins in 23:33; Morgan Commins in 23:41; Kevin Holland third in the M65 category in 23:50; Kirsten Hughes finishing first in F45 category in 23:59; Moi Schiavone finishing first in the under 16 boys in 24:24; Sian Owen coming third F45 in 24:43; Paul Tonkin in 26:12; Theresa Sharland in 27:03 and Catrin Hopkins in 34:18.

Paul Jones head south to Llanelli to take part in the Run the Trails 10 mile race starting in Bury Port and heading out and back along the Millenium Coastal Path.

Paul came in sixth overall out of 150 runners and won his age category of Vintage Vet Male or Male over 40 in 1:02:58.

Heading back up the coast to Poppit Sands saw the Aber AC regulars Owain Schiavone and Dave Humphreys take part in the second race of the summer series.

Held mid week the first 5k race of the series saw Owain take first place, this time he finished second in 18:32 and Dave Humphreys was 40 seconds faster than his previous race finishing in 27:33.

There’s one race left in the series on Tuesday, 18 August.