NEAR-perfect running conditions on Saturday morning led to a new record 41 personal best times being set by the 106 Barry Island parkrunners.

The field included 14 first time runners, nine of them enjoying their first ever 5km parkrun and 16 junior runners.

Representatives of 13 different athletics clubs took part, including visitors from Caerleon, Stokes Striders and Leighton Fun Runners.

Julie Broughton, this week’s run director led the volunteer team which included core team member Dave Shields who had completed his 50th Barry Island volunteer event the previous week.

The long list of personal bests included fourth placed Paul Kehl (20:35), regular visitor Matthew Mulcahy from Caerleon RC (20:43), Richard Williams (22:53), core volunteer team member Tessa Matthews (26:56), Jane Spickett (27:29) and Alison Gilmour (30:15).

Another two personal bests went to Natalie Taylor (30:01), who finished just behind daughter Sascha (29:37).

Natalie explained what this means to her as a new runner.

She said: "I first started running when I was turning 40, overweight and very unfit.

"So I decided to do something about it.

"In February this year I ran my first parkrun in Cardiff.

"I tagged along with my friend Bev and finished in 36:32.

"I found myself then making excuses and not being bothered to drive to Cardiff just to go for a run.

"Eventually, I decided to brave the one and only Barry Island parkrun and on my first occasion finished in 34:37.

"Since joining the Barry Island parkrun gang, I have also joined the Seriously Mad Runners (Barry) running group.

"So with parkrun times improving and the positivity of so many new friends I also achieved my goal this September of completing the Cardiff 10k.

"I had talked about doing that for three years.

"Not only did I finish in a reasonable time of 1:03:59, with Denise from SMR, but I also combated the Swansea 10k a week later as well.

"With new medals and t-shirts taken home to show my family I felt enormously proud and thankful as without parkrun I wouldn’t have met many of my new running friends and would have probably not done the 10K’s either.

"I also have managed to gently persuade my lovely 12 year old daughter Sascha, who when not playing football much prefers sitting in her room watching TV or playing on her phone, to joining me parkrunning.

"This was not an easy process but I knew that once she’d done a few parkruns, just like me she would be hooked.

"Over the past few weeks I have bribed her and challenged her, so much so that this week she also joined the SMR group for a gentle midweek run or two and then assured me that at Saturday’s parkrun I would lose my family running crown."

"And so on Saturday we got up and made our way to Barry Island parkrun to chase each other round the Island and prove who’s the best.

"Well, Sascha did indeed show me who was boss, coming in at 29:37 but I chased her to that finish line and clocked a new PB of 30:01 (my second in two weeks).

"At this point it’s fair to say we both absolutely love parkrun.

"It has given us something in common to talk about and to do together, I’d hope for years to come.

"So my final word to parkrun and its volunteers and runners is thanks for all your support and dedication, cheering and encouragement.

"It has been amazing - long may it continue. For all you new runners or those thinking about coming along - just do it. Come and see what it’s all about. I promise you won’t be disappointed and if you don’t want to run, how about volunteering as a marshal and cheering on the runners? You will have just as much fun doing that too."

Dave Mathews (Penarth and Dinas Runners) led the field home this week in a personal best time of 20:05, his first top spot in 11 Barry Island parkruns.

Robert Newman was second over the line in 20:23, with John Magee (Les Croupiers RC) third in 20:32.

Gina Hardman from Bridgend AC, was first female finisher (8th overall) in 21:54.

This was her third top spot in 20 appearances at Barry Island.

Caitlin Williams of Seriously Mad Runners (Barry), was the second female with a personal best of 23:02 and Joanna Hanks (Penarth and Dinas Runners) was the third female over the line in 24:57.

There were many brand new Cardiff half marathon t-shirts being proudly worn by this week’s runners - many of whom had graduated via parkrun and other shorter races to tackling their first 13.1-miler.

There were also plenty of regular Barry island parkrunners and volunteers marshalling around the course to cheer on new friends made through parkrun. Unconfirmed reports suggested that some of them did such a good job they’d lost their voices by Monday morning.

This coming Saturday, October 15, will be a paced parkrun.

Experienced volunteer runners will be pacing their runs to hit set target times ranging from 18 to 40 minutes.

Runners looking to achieve a specific time, such as a new PB, then run the course with their chosen pacer.

Previous paced runs have been very popular.

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: www.parkrun.org.uk/barryisland. It’s entirely run by volunteers.

Anyone wishing to help out should email barryislandhelpers@parkrun.com.