The first U16 mountain bike race and duathlon at Coed y Brenin was a massive success, with more to come this month and next year.
Coed y Brenin hosted it's first round of Welsh Cycling's U16 mountain bike race and duathlon series and got the biggest turnout of the whole year. There's another round on November the 21st too, so keep training when you've got your homework done! More details of the next event as soon as we get them, but here's the full press release anyway:
"Forestry Commission Wales is pleased to provide Coed y Brenin as an additional venue for the Welsh Cycling ‘Go Ride’ Series of mountain bike races for under 16’s.
The first race in the ongoing series to be held at Coed y Brenin was a great success, with the biggest turnout of all the races so far in N.Wales. Parents and kids came from as far as the Lleyn peninsula and even Manchester to enjoy the great racing and challenging terrain at Coed y Brenin.
There were several races on a multilap course, which provided different distances for the different age groups. Certificates were awarded and spot prizes were given out.
Welsh Cycling's event organiser, Mike Tong, praised the staff of Forestry Commission Wales and Coed y Brenin for their help in setting up the race and for their efficiency in dealing with the event application. He is looking forward to the next race on the 21st and more races are planned for 2010.
The next race at Coed y Brenin will be on Saturday the 21st November and we’re hoping to start coaching sessions for budding young mountain bikers every Saturday from December onwards. Please check the FCW website which will be updated with further details when available.
"Another recent event saw the fourth running of the Coed y Brenin Off Road Duathlon, a tough endurance event requiring competitors to run 5k on a mixture of forest road and single track mountain bike trail followed by a two lap 20k cycle ride, taking in some sections of the Tarw trail, and rounding off with another leg of the run. If that doesn't sound extreme enough the race also includes nearly 2000ft of ascent. 140 competitors entered the race, for which the forest bridleway was officially closed, and was won by Jon Bowie of Trismart in 1.36.05, with local competitor Ifan Richards in his first ever full duathlon second in 1.40.08 and Jason Williams third in 1.44.15, four minutes faster than his 2008 time. The ladies race was won by Alwen Williams in 2.09.56, with Vicki Wade second in 2.13.50 and Clare Page third in 2.14.25. The team event, one runner and one rider, was won by Paul and Jack Robinson in 1.38.27. Full results are available at VLA Events.co.uk.
The next senior race in Coed y Brenin is the Mawddach Goldrush 50k in March 2010, further details of which can be found at mawddachgoldrush.org.uk."