ALTHOUGH the rain stayed away, it was still a grey start to the 62nd running of Barry Island parkrun.

That didn't stop 100 eager runners coming out to enjoy the scenery beneath the shadow of the now completed Barry Eye in the pleasure park.

It takes a small army of enthusiastic volunteers to make sure the event runs smoothly and safely and this week there were 24 on hand to cheer all the runners around the course. Without these volunteers the event could not happen.

Out of the 100 runners that completed the 5km two lap course, 27 were Barry Island newcomers. There were also representatives of 16 different running clubs from around the UK, proving that Barry Island is still a popular destination for tourists as well as parkrun tourists.

In order for runners to have their times recorded, they must present a personal barcode, provided free when you register with parkrun, at the completion of the course. If this is not done then the athletes cannot be recorded.

This happened to the first runner to cross the line this week and remains unknown. Second place in a time of 18:32 was Barry Island regular Richard Wilder with third place a further 15 seconds behind was Adam Edwards from Pontypridd Rodents AC crossing the line in 18:47 and earning him a new personal best time.

For the ladies, Elaine Ferguson of Pontypridd Rodents AC was first to finish in a time of 21:17, second place went to Tao Deards, completing the course in 22:13 with the third lady to finish doing so in a time of 25:22.

Saturday also marked the milestone 50th parkrun for sisters Bethan and Caitlin Williams hot on the heels of mum Lisa who had completed her 50th a few weeks ago.

As well as the top three finishers there were 26 runners setting new personal bests, including a 30:46 by Rob Westacott of Acre Street Runners, Huddersfield.

Other visitors travelled to Barry Island for the parkrun from Pontypridd, Exmouth, Brighton and even as far away as Fort Worth in Texas.

This week a request was made to turn the parkrun red in support of the Wales Football Team and their hero’s welcome back to Cardiff on Friday.

Barry Island runners did not disappoint. With over half the runners and volunteers wearing red shirts…even a dragon made an appearance to cheer on the runners.

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.