DESPITE a busy local race weekend and some unseasonally cold and breezy conditions, 160 runners, joggers and walkers tackled the alternative three-lap 5k Barry Island parkrun course this week for Barry Island parkrun 108.

Participant numbers continue to increase steadily, and are up by more than 70 per cent on the same time last year, averaging 165 runners per week since Easter.

In total, 2,550 separate runners have so far participated in the 108 Barry Island parkruns, 22 for the first time this week, clocking up a distance of 56,050km.

As participant numbers increase, then so does the need for volunteers. A full team of 24 supported this week’s run, in various roles including timekeeping, barcodes scanning, course marshalling, photographer and tail runner.

A number were taking the high-vis challenge for the first time - and they all enjoyed their roles.

The previous week, Dr Frank Atherton, the Chief Medical Office for Wales and a member of Penarth and Dinas Runners, was amongst the first time volunteers, and commented afterwards: "In August last year I moved to Wales after spending four years working in Canada.

"As a keen runner arriving in a new city I started to look around for running clubs and someone suggested that I join a local parkrun. I have to admit that I had never heard of parkrun, but I duly headed out to Cardiff parkrun one Saturday morning.

"I was both delighted and amazed to find more than 500 people of all levels of fitness and ability who were participating in an extremely well organised and welcoming community event.

"The following week I logged on, registered, printed off my barcode and have subsequently participated in three other parkruns around the UK. Saturday was my first time volunteering to support one of my 'locals', Barry Island parkrun.

"We all know that being active protects both physical and mental health. As Chief Medical Officer my aim is to ensure that we build an environment and culture that helps everyone to be as healthy and active as possible. The parkrun phenomenon is a great example of a grassroots social movement that supports healthy lifestyle choices and helps improve health and wellbeing for everyone."

On the running front, Lee Mills from Islwyn RC, was first over the line this week in 19.07, his fifth time in seven visits, but his first on the alternative course. First time visitor Dan Williams was second over the line in 19.31, with Jeff Cox of Les Croupiers RC close behind in third with a time of 19.34. Dan was running only his second parkrun, whereas Lee and Jeff have run more than 550 between them.

A frequent theme of the weekly female placings is that they regularly feature junior runners amongst the top three positions.

This week it was Manon Pearce (JW11-14) who led the field home in her first ever parkrun in a time of 23.23, with another junior, Barry Island ‘veteran’ Harriet Kehl (JW11-14) in third spot in 26.09 in her 52nd parkrun. Nicola Symmonds (VW35-39), one of the visiting Pencoed Panthers, finished in 25.54 to claim the second female finisher place.

Nicola was amongst a group of 26 runners throughout the field who recorded a course PB this week. Others included Steve Lias (24.33), Tracey Coakley (24.41), tourist Sue Regan from Tyne Bridge Harriers (30.30), Jo Wain (37.16) and Mali and Jeff Jones, enjoying their second parkrun and finishing together in 42.12.

Representatives of 17 different clubs took part this week, including tourists from Greenbow RC (Exeter), Tyne Bridge Harriers and Clevedon AC.

Closer to home, there were groups from Pencoed Panthers and the newly formed Major Milers, based in Llantwit Major, who showed up in the results for the first time.

Much like the Seriously Mad Runners from Barry, they’ve come together under the leadership of under a small group of Barry Island parkrunners and are another example of the significant growth in running across South Wales in the last few years.

Barry Island parkrun is a free, weekly 5k timed run and is open to anyone of any ability from age four upwards - runners, joggers or walkers alike. It starts at 9am every Saturday morning at Barry Island promenade, normally under the Eastern shelter.

Find out more on the run website at parkrun.org.uk/barryisland. It’s entirely organised by volunteers.

Anyone wishing to help out can get in touch by sending an email to barryislandhelpers@parkrun.com.