THE UNSEASONABLE wet and windy weather was what greeted the runners for the 68th Barry Island parkrun.

With high winds sending the waves crashing over the sea wall and onto the promenade it looked like the event was at risk but with the safety of the runners and the volunteers top of the agenda it was decided to switch to the alternative course and leave the promenade for the photographers.

It was the turn of local Barry running group Seriously Mad Runners to take over the event this week. Dressed in their familiar purple and green colours, a 30-strong team of volunteers watched and cheered as the 69 runners braved the gale force winds and tackle the three lap, 5km course.

First over the line in a very respectable 18:18 was regular parkrun volunteer Ben Butler-Madden of Penarth and Dinas Runners, finishing first for the second time in eight appearances.

Second to finish was Glyn Fletcher of Les Croupiers RC in a time of 18:31 and completing the top three was Gareth Hurman getting around the three laps in 19:00.

This week there were 12 runners that made their way to Barry Island parkrun for the first time and one of those was teenager Bethan Frost who, in a time of 26:25 was the first lady finisher. Second place went to Lyndsay Jane Hunt of Penarth and Dinas Runners, tackling the windy course in a time of 27:06, followed by Penarth and Dinas club mate Yvonne Williams in 27:34.

Barry Island parkrun encourages running club takeovers as a way of promoting local clubs and as a general incentive to get people out running.

This week it was Barry’s Seriously Mad Runners that filled all the volunteer roles.

Set up in October 2014 by Ian Thorne and Julie Broughton who were just starting their training for marathons in early 2015. The group was set up with the help of Claire Thorne to try and get a group of people together who all had the same goals with their training.

The group has grown in just under two years from a handful of runners to more than 180 members today.

Since starting the group, Ian and Julie have gained Welsh Athletics qualifications and are licensed leaders in running fitness. This has helped push the group forward with planned and structured sessions that make full use of the stunning Vale coast and countryside.

With sessions ranging from a coastal run to a beach session and even the occasional fitness session there is something to push even the most seasoned of runners.

The group’s main sessions are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings but there is usually a small group that get together and run on Wednesday too and Sunday’s are reserved for races and long runs.

These days you can turn up at almost all local running events and see a group of Seriously Mad Runners.

If you would like for information or are interested in joining, take a look at the Facebook page facebook.com/groups/seriouslymadrunners

Alternatively you can get in touch by email at seriouslymadrunners@outlook.com

If you would like to promote your club or group by taking over all the volunteer roles at Barry Island parkrun then please get in touch at baryislandoffice@parkrun.com

Barry Island parkrun is organised and run entirely by volunteers and takes around 20 helpers each week to make sure this free timed event goes ahead every week. If you would like to help out or get involved then please go along on a Saturday morning or get in touch at barryislandhelpers@parkrun.com