Latest XC Running news
27th Oct update
report by Maggie
The following Eryri Harriers have been chosen to represent Wales at British and Irish Masters International Cross Country Championship to be held in Singleton Park, Swansea on November 15th (same day as the Pen race unfortunately!) : M65 Emyr Davies, Don Williams, W55 reserve Sue Hughes, W60 Maggie Oliver.
The Gregsons Solicitors North Wales Cross Country Championship will be held at Northop on Saturday, Jan 31st 2009.
Finally don`t forget cakes and volunteer helpers are needed for the cross country at Treborth on Saturday, Nov 22nd.
LILLESHALL (Telford) 11th October 2008
report by Maggie
Once again a sound performance by all the Eryri Harriers teams, keeping them in contention in all categories. A very encouraging number ran for the Harriers in this our most distant cross-country fixture. The mens team were ably led home by Matthew Roberts (10th), closely followed by Paul Watham (18th) and Iain Ridgway (24th). Other placings were Tony Woodall (43rd), Dylan Owen (55th), Emyr Davies (64th), Richard Bourne (87th), Don Williams (93rd), Phil Jones (99th), Richard Williams (107th), Rod Rogers (112th), Eurwyn Edwards (123rd) and Ian Blakemore (132nd).
The womens team were led home by Sarah Ridgway (4th) making a welcome return to cross-country, followed by the ever consistent Jenny Hemming (11th), Gemma Morgans 32 and Ellie Salisbury40. Other placings were Wendy Trimbel (52nd), Allison Donnelly (53rd), Sue Hughes (59th ), Maggie Oliver (64th) and Jenny Blakemore (73rd). The team placing on the day for men was an encouraging third, with the aggregate giving them an overall third position. Results not yet collated for the mens masters team. The women were fourth position on the day and lie in overall second position while the veteran women were fifth on the day and are in overall third position.
Many thanks to all who made the long trek to Lilleshall. The next fixture is at Bangor (Treborth) on November 22nd. A chance for Eryri to field our strongest teams in all categories!! Cakes and helpers will be needed. Contact Maggie Oliver to volunteer.
Another date for your diaries : the Welsh Inter Regional Cross Country Championship will be held at Wrexham on Saturday, December 13th, 2008.
Colwyn Bay - 27th Sept
report by Maggie - added 6th Oct
Following on from the individual results, the team results are as follows :
Mens 4th, Mens Veterans 7th (with special note that Emyr Davies and Don Williams were 1st and 2nd respectively in the M65 age group)
Womens 1st, Womens veterans 4th (Annie Willimas 3rd W45, Sue Hughes 1st W55, Maggie Oliver 2nd W60)
A good start to the season but it essential that we follow this up by having teams at Telford on October 11th (the minimum for a team is six for the men and four for the women).
A minibus will be going leaving Parc Menai at 10.45. For more iformation and to book a place and pick up time on the bus, contact Maggie Oliver 01286 871494.
report by Arwel
The North Wales cross country league got off to a sunny start at Colwyn Bay on Saturday 27th September, the curtain raiser for the season has a habit of producing sunny weather, and this years race around Eirias park did not disappoint.
In the womens 2 lap race, Mochdre's Eryri Harrier Andrea Roberts finished 4th with Rhian Pierce having a good run to finish 12th followed by, 14th Jenny Hemming, 21st Annie Williams, 32nd Gemma Morgans, 45th Maggie Oliver, 46th Sue Hughes and 62nd Jenny Blakemore. The race was won by the host clubs Isabel Redfern with Shrewsbury's Anna Bartlett 2nd. The men's race was comfortably won by Telford's Chris Davies, who lapped most of the field on the 4 lap course, Eryri's men were led home by Richard Roberts in 4th place followed by, 10th Matthew Roberts, 28th Paul Wathan, 49th Richard Williams, 52nd Arwel Lewis, 77th Emyr Davies, 81st Eilir Evans, 88th Jim Bennell, 92nd Richard Borne, 100th Don Williams, 105th Stephen LL Jones, 129th Mervyn Williams, 149th Eurwyn Edwards and 153rd Stephen Edwards. Though the full team results are not yet in, a satisfactory start to the season by Eryri.
Eryri Harriers Mens and Ladies Cross Country Champions 2007/08
Paul Wathan took the title for the men and Jenny Hemming for the women. Both Paul and Jenny have had an outstanding year and represented Eryri at all 5 fixtures. Their high level of performances was evident throughout the year as was their loyalty to Eryri and their fellow runners. Well done Jenny and Paul.
Eryri overall score sheet for XC
UK Counties Athletic Union Cross Country Championships.
Wollaton Park, Nottingham, Saturday, 15th March 2008
The following Eryri Athletes have been chosen to run for the North Wales Counties in this event:
Paul Wathan - U20
Richard Roberts - SM
Jenny Hemming - SL
Sarah Kleeman SL
Please contact Mr David Williams on 01978 820612 if you are able to run.
Transport is being provided.
North Wales XC League - Final Results 2007/08
Marches School, Oswestry February 9th 2008
What a contrast to last year when, for the first time in over 30years, the fixture was cancelled because of snow. This year, the weather was perfect, the sun shone, the course was excellent and to top it all Eryri came away with a host of medals. Congratulations and a huge big thank you to everyone for giving up their Saturdays and making the season such a memorable one.
Final Results:
Teams:
Senior Lades - 3rd team (1st Division) - Bronze
Senior Men - 3rd team (1st Disviosn) - Bronze
Master Ladies - 1st team – Gold
Individual Medals
Paul Wathan - 1st U/20
Don Williams - 1st V60
Jennie Hemming - 3rd V35 and 4th Senior Lady overall
Ellie Salisbury - 3rd V45
Steve (Llan) Jones - 3rd V50
North Wales Cross Country Championship - 26th January 2008
This was held at Northop Horticultural College in springlike conditions on Saturday. There was certainly a spring in the steps of the eight Eryri ladies who attended, with everyone coming away with at least one medal or trophy!
The ladies were led home by Jenny Heming who was third overall and second Over 35. She was closely followed by Rhian Pierce, Ellie Salisbury (Ist over 45) and Annie Williams (2nd over 45) to give Eryri the overall team prize and also the first veterans team prize.
Not to be outdone, the Eryri B team of Rhian Jones, Maggie Oliver (1st over 60), Alison Donnelly and Sue Hughes (3rd over 50) were the third womens and third Veteran womens team! Well done girls, an excellent result in the 30th year of the club and one that can be built on for Oswestry.
Fewer Eryri men attended and they were ably led home, as at Wrexham, by Paul Watham who was also second under 20 - well done Paul! He was followed Paul Howarth, Paul Jenkinson, the evergreen Don Williams (1st over 65) and Steve Llan Jones (2nd over 50). Unfortunately the men did not have enough to count in the the team placings. However well done everyone who turned out for the club at this enjoyable event.
Wrexham Cross-Country - 12th January 2008
Report by Maggie Oliver
A good turn out of 10 men and women for the flat, fast cross country course at Wrexham on Saturday January 12th. After the wet stormy weather of the preceding week, the conditions were good, sunny with a slight breeze and only a little mud (imagine what the Bangor course would have been like!).
Mixed fortunes for the teams, with the women coming fourth on the day but nevertheless consolidating their second place overall and first place for Veterans. The mens team, depleted by injuries, did not fare so well, coming seventh on the day but still in contention in the overall medal positions.
Jenny Heming was third in over 35 category and is in sight of an overall medal position, as are Ellie and Annie. We need a really strong turn out in Oswestry on February 9th to ensure that Eryri is on the podium in the overall men and womens team positions.
So thanks to all who came to Wrexham and please do come to support your club at the final event and prize giving in Oswestry (contact Arwel for minibus transport).
(Image: Paul Wathan in a sprint finnish)
Individual Results for Wrexham:
Individual places
| Name | Position | Category | Name | Position | Category |
| Paul Wathan | 30 | U20 | Sarah Kleeman | 4 | |
| Richard Williams | 41 | Jenny Heming | 7 | V35 | |
| Iwan Morton | 49 | Rhian Pierce | 16 | ||
| Eilir Evans | 55 | V50 | Ellie Salisbury | 24 | V45 |
| Steve (Llan) Jones | 87 | V50 | Annie Williams | 29 | V45 |
| Don Williams | 89 | V60 | Wendy Trimbel | 30 | |
| Richard Borne | 104 | Maggie Oliver | 41 | V55 | |
| Jim Bennell | 111 | V55 | Rhian Jones | 42 | V35 |
| Dilwyn Rowlands | 128 | V35 | Alison Donnelly | 47 | V40 |
| Merfyn Williams | 135 | V45 | Sheila Bennell | 73 | V55 |
Bangor Cross-Country - 24th November
A huge big ‘thank-you’ to everyone, helpers and runners who made the annual North Wales XC fixture at Treborth (Bangor) such a fantastic success. Even the rain and the mud couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm. The number of Eryri vests on the field that day is a testament to the success of the club – this I might add was only rivaled by the variety and number of cakes and confectionery provided by members!. Whatever, it all came together on the day and ensured that Eryri Harriers has again made its mark, both in the class of its runners and the warmth of its welcome. Da iawn pawb.
Individual places
Men
I Morton 3rd (31.00), Mathew Roberts 11th (32.02), Paul Wathan 25th (U20 33.34), Arwel Lewis 30th (M45 33.48), Richard Williams 32nd (33.55), Tony Woodall, 52nd (35.23), Jeremy Williams 68th (M50 36.33), Eilyr Evans 71st (M50 36.39), Don Williams 77th (M60 36.57), Steve L Jones 78th (M50 37.06), Jim Bennell 85th (M55 37.43), Steve Livett 88th (M45 37.54), D Rowlands 106th (39.08), Dafydd W Thomas 109th (M60 39.15), Mervyn Williams 113th (M4539.32), Martin Williams 138th (M60 43.15), Ian Blakemore 140th (M50 43.47), Iorwerth Roberts 154th (M60 48.37), Iolo Roberts 157th (M40 49.31)
Ladies
Jenny Hemming 4th (W35 17.50), Rhian Pierce 5th (17.59), Ellie Salisbury 14th (W45, 19.07), Annie Williams 17th (W45 19.21), Hannah Toberman 18th (19.24), Allie Thomas 24th (W40 19.57), Alison Donnelly 35th (W40 20.57), Rhian Jones 40th (W35 21.26), Sarah Hawker 45th (21.47), Sue Hughes 47th (W50 21.51), Maggie Oliver 54th (W55 22.51), Sheila Bennell 64th (W55 26.15)
Majestic Travel XC League – Aggregate after 3 races:
Men – Division 1 Men - Masters
1. Shrewsbury 397 1. Shrewsbury 86
2. Eryri Harriers 606 2. Buckley 108
3. Abergele Harriers 608 3. Abergele 110
4. Colwyn Bay 708 4. Wrexham 119
5. Telford 773 5. Telford 123
6. Buckley 857 6. Prestatyn 242
7. Wrexham 977 7. Tattenhall 263
8. Prestatyn 1052 8. Eryri Harriers 247
Ladies – Division 1 Ladies - Masters
1. Wrexham 70 1. Eryri Harriers 66
2. Eryri Harriers 90 2. Wrexham 108
3. Tattenhall 97 3. Buckley 162
4. Oswestry 169 4. Abergele 230
5. Colwyn Bay 172 5. Prestatyn 275
6. Buckley 173 6. Bro Dysynni 284
7. Telford 483 7. Denbigh 291
Final Results following Eirias Park Fixture
Saturday, September 29th 2007
Teams
Division One – Senior Men Male Masters Teams
1. Shrewsbury AAC 121pts 1. Wrexham AAC 15ps
2. Eryri Harriers 156 pts 2. Shrewsbury AAC 23pts
3. Colwyn Bay AAC 212 pts 3. Abergele Harriers 31pts
4. Wrexham AAC 226 pts 4. Buckley RC 33pts
5. Abergele Harriers 227 pts 5. Eryri Harriers 61pts
6. Prestatyn RC 274 pts 6. Prestatyn RC 71pts
7. Buckley RC 289 pts 7. Telford AC 78pts
8. Telford AAC 426 pts 8. Vale Royal AAC 79pts
9. Tatenhall Runners 99pts
10. Denbigh Harries 108pts
11. Oswestry AAC 121pts
12. Menai T&F 131pts
13. Bridgnorth AAC 225 pts
Teams
Division One – Senior Ladies Lady Masters Teams
1. Eryri Harriers 21 pts 1. Eryri Harriers 21pts
2. Wrexham AC 25pts 2. Colwyn Bay AAC 26pts
3. Owsestry AAC 42pts 3. Oswestry AAC 28pts
4. Tattenhall Runners 49pts 4. Wrexham AAC 30pts
5. Colwyn Bay AAC 57pts 5. Abergele Harriers 58pts
6. Buckley RC 73 pts 6. Denbigh Harriers 64pts
7. Telford AAC 209pts 7. Bro Dysynni AAC 75pts
8. Prestatyn RC 81pts
9. Buckley RC 86pts
2nd league fixture – Telford, Lillieshall
Saturday, October 20th 2007
Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to run in Lillieshall. The weather was good and the course mediocre. It is one of the more difficult fixtures to persuade runners to turn out for, it’s a long way for most of us and means a whole day away from home. We haven’t managed to hold onto first place in Division One but we didn’t fare too badly at all considering several of our runners were representing Eryri in Morbeno in Italy that week-end. Iwan Morton (SM) had a brilliant run finishing in 7th position overall followed by Paul Wathan (U20) 28th, Richard Williams (SM) 57th, Tony Weddol (SM) 61st , Phil Jones (V55) 71st, Emyr Davies (V60) 73rd, Don Williams (V60) 86th, Steve Llan Jonees, (V55) 109th, Dilwyn Rowlands (SM) 117th, Mervyn Willams (V45) 136th.
Final results are yet to come out from the Ladies Races. Jenny Heming had a fantastic run, cheered on by her 3 children. Well done Jenny, 1st counter for Eryri followed closely by Jayne Lloyd, Annie Williams, Ellie Salisbury, Rhian Jones and Alison Donnelly.
Aggregate after 2 Races
Teams
Division One – Senior Men Male Masters Teams
1. Shrewsbury 258pts 1. Shrewsbury 54pts
2. Eryri 453 2. Wrexham 71
3. Abergele 459 3. Buckley 73
4. Colwyn Bay 472 4. Abergele 73
5. Telford 523 5. Telford 89
6. Wrexham 531 6. Prestatyn 159
7. Buckley 586 7. Eryri 183
8. Prestatyn 698 8. Vale Royal 194
9. Tattenhall 203
10. Denbigh 246
11. Colwyn Bay 253
12. Menai T&F 270
13. Bridgnorth 487
Teams
Division One – Senior Ladies Lady Masters Teams
1. Wrexham 46pts 1. Eryri 47pts
2. Eryri 67 2. Colwyn Bay 64
3. Tattenhall 79 3. Wrexham 85
4. Colwyn Bay 93 4. Buckley 113
5. Oswestry 110 5. Denbigh 153
6. Buckley 126 6. Abergele 159
7. Telford 311 7. Prestatyn 186
8. Bro Dysynni 190
3rd League Fixture – Bangor – Treborth
Saturday, 24th November 2007
Anybody willing to help with putting the course out, timekeeping, marshalling etc please get in touch with Sue Hughes 01492 6238365.
CAKES! CAKES! CAKES! - JUST A SUBTLE REMINDER TO ALL MEMBERS TO BRING ALONG SOME CAKES TO HELP WITH THE REFRESHMENTS AND SELL ON THE DAY
RICHARD'S CROSS COUNTRY FIRST
Having won numerous races on the fells and occasionally on the roads Richard Roberts won his first senior Cross Country race at Eirias Park Colwyn Bay on Saturday 29th September 2007 in the first fixture in the North Wales Cross Country League where the Eryri Harriers got off to a good start, on the four lap course Richard was backed up by 7th Iwan Morton, 22nd Paul Wathan, 30th Andy Darnell, 38th Arwel Lewis and 58th Emyr Davies the 6 counters to total 156 points, other Eryri finishers in the mens race were 71st Don Williams, 89th Jeremy Williams, 108th Merfyn Williams, 121st Martin Williams, 124th Ian Blakemore and 136th Iorwerth Roberts.
Not to be outdone Eryri's women were very impressive with Sarah Kleeman 2nd just missing out on first place in a sprint finish, due to the male juniors being in the same race as the women race positions are with the juniors included, with Andrea Roberts (12th), Jenny Heming (15th), Ellie Salisbury (23rd), Anne Williams (31st), Wendy Trimble (44th) and team captain Sue Hughes (49th). Full results are not yet in, but there is a good chance that our ladies were first team on the day.
Next fixture will be at Lilleshall near Telford on Saturday 20th October 2007, there will be a mini bus going to the event.