IT WAS a quite a scary affair at Barry Island parkrun event number 78. The first fright was the announcement that the ‘kit man’, (aka co event director Lyn Evans) had failed to show up with all the technical equipment needed for the run to go ahead.

Shock horror on the faces of the 116 runners and the 25 strong volunteer team soon turned to relief when the call came over the radio that the kit man had been found wandering around Nells Point, having become somewhat disorientated by the mist and drizzle.

It soon became apparent that the runners had been tricked and were in for a real treat as sneakily repositioned start and finish lines meant the runners had to tackle the beloved Heartbreak Hill three times whilst running the vamped up regular course.

With runners and volunteers being kept in the dark there was a slight delay to the usual 9am start. Luckily no-one was howling mad as the runners set off on their first trek up Heartbreak Hill.

Unfortunately parkruns strict ‘no barcode-no time’ policy meant that the events first runner home was recorded as unknown. The ghostly figure was closely followed by Alfie Davies (JM15-17), second over the line in 19:09 with Martin Wade of 614 (County of Glamorgan) Sqn RAF Reserves third over the line in 19:41 completing the male top three placings.

Completing the top three female placings were Sally Wilder of San Domenico RC, (first lady home and tenth overall) crossing the line in 22:15 the 23rd time in 36 appearances.

Caitlin Williams (JW11-14) of Seriously Mad Runners (Barry), was second (24th overall) over the line in 24:03 and Annette Newton of BRJ Run and Tri, was third (28th overall) over the line in 25:03.

There was yet again another great showing of newcomers to the Island with 27 putting in their first appearances. Among the first timers to the Island were Adam Newton of Spa Striders RC (23:47), Katja Empson (29:48), Alexander Brown (22:03), Monique Hibbert (34:02), Jen Steer (34:42).

Shaun Driscoll posted a time of 27:56 in his first ever parkrun. Also taking part in their first ever parkruns were Sian Rees (48:38), Miriam Rees (48:25), Kayla Cradit (33:52), Lewis Lawler, Emily Hibbert and Bibi Jones all running in the JM10 and JW10 categories with times of 39:30, 34:01 and 40:31 respectively.

Also completing their first ever parkrun and also in the JM10 and JW10 were Owen Thomas (30:19), and Amelia Wildgoose (29:50). Other first time parkrunners were Melanie Aspell (42:29), Megan Aspell (42:28), Sarah Fox (38:59), Michael Jones (40:32), Tony Dutton (40:37), Sarah Davies (39:34), Rhian Thomas (33:47), John Aspell (23:09), Jemma Yorke (33:44), Gareth Thomas (30:20), Adam Burge (33:44) and Samantha Blake (30:30).

Seriously Mad Runners (Barry) very own Geoff Twigg was in a celebratory mood notching up the milestone of parkrun number 50. Geoff, a Saturday morning regular took to the course bandaged and ballooned, finishing in a time of 31:21.

It’s a one, two, three for the Williams girls in the current women's annual points competition standings. Caitlin Williams leads the way on 2217 points, mum Lisa in second on 2174 points and sister Bethan in third on 2149 points.

Current standing in the men's annual points competition are Robert Newman (Unattached) 2079 points well ahead in first with John Magee (Les Croupiers RC) in second on 1729 points ahead of John Dyer (Pegasus RC (Cardiff)) in third on 1537 points.

Representatives of 13 different athletics clubs took part in even number 78 with 14 runners recording personal best times for the course.

If you would like to get involved with parkrun either as a runner or a volunteer you will need to register at parkrun.org.uk/register. Registration is completely free. Barry Island parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9am. Contact the team by email at barryislandhelpers@parkrun.com for further information.