BARRY Island parkrun number 49 featured a club takeover by Penarth and Dinas Runners, who took on most of Saturday morning’s 18 volunteer roles and also provided the 67 runners with plenty of vocal support and a fine selection of cakes - in the club’s blue and yellow colours - at the finish.

The run started with the usual welcome for 14 newcomers and tourists and a special round of applause for Derek Marshall, who was volunteering for the 25th time and graduating into the aubergine milestone t-shirt club.

After a few weeks’ absence, normal service was resumed with Richard Wilder (San Domenico), heading home the field for the 12th time in 18:17. Second was Gabrielius Stuokos, in a new personal best of 19:00, followed by first time visitor Julian Boon from the Forest of Dean AC in third (19:21).

In her first visit to Barry Island, Clare Bruce (Les Croupiers RC) was first of the women finishers in 21:12, followed by Andrea Hurman (Penarth and Dinas Runners) in 24:07, and another first time visitor from Forest of Dean AC, Gemma Hewitt, in third place with a 25:10 finish.

Some of the core volunteer team took the opportunity to run this week, with Phill Watts bagging a top 10 finish and a new PB of 21:36. It was a 31:16 PB too for Ian Jenkins, on his way back to form after a run of injuries and illness - which hasn’t stopped him volunteering 41 times out of the 49 Barry Island parkruns so far.

The McNabb trio, James, Rhys and dad Ian, filled three of the other seven PB slots, all finishing within five seconds of each other between 28:21 and 28:26.

After his recent efforts in the World Half Marathon Championship Race, Jason Elworthy ran brilliantly with tail runners Sarah Lees (Penarth and Dinas Runners) and daughter Esme, to knock another minute plus off his previous PB and clock 53:01.

Jason said afterwards, “I would like to give a huge thank you to all the parkrun volunteers and tail runners who have helped me go from 1:02:01 to 53:01. That is nine minutes improvement in nine parkruns. Looking forward to being a marshal for the next three weeks.”

As well as providing volunteers and cake this week, Penarth and Dinas Runners also entered all the runners and volunteers into a prize draw for four free entries into their upcoming Legacy Leisure-sponsored Porthkerry 5 mile Multi-Terrain race - May 8 in Porthkerry Park - more information at penarthanddinasrunners.org.uk/Porthkerry5MT.html. The winners from the runners were Paul Morton, Denise Jones and Alison Gilmour. Nigel James won the volunteer’s prize. With just under four weeks to go, the race is already over 60 per cent full and looking likely to fill up before the May 4 entry deadline.

In the annual parkrun points competitions, Mike James (3,888) still holds a good lead over Richard Wilder (3,263) and John Frazer (3,134) in the men’s competition. The Williams family dominate the women’s points table - Lisa still in top spot, on her birthday, with 3,274 points, Caitlin second on 3,220 and Bethan close behind on 3,173 points.

With three more parkruns to go, it’s looking like a clean sweep for the Williams family and Seriously Mad Runners, Barry. Dad Richard is in eighth spot in the men’s table too, and has been racking up his volunteer points recently during an injury break.

With the spring marathon season now underway, regular volunteers and runners are tackling marathons in Brighton, Boston, London and Liverpool over the next few weeks. For some, it’s their first attempt at "the big one" - so, when the going gets really tough, just remember, it’s only just over eight parkruns.

Barry Island parkrun is a free, weekly 5k timed run and is open to anyone of any ability - runners, joggers or walkers alike. It starts at 9am every Saturday morning under the Eastern Shelter of Barry Island promenade, near the beach huts.

Find out more on the run website at parkrun.org.uk/barryisland. It’s entirely run by volunteers. Anyone wishing to help out can get in touch by sending an email to barryislandhelpers@parkrun.com.