LAST weekend's Barry Island parkrun saw a switch to the alternate course, welcoming 125 participants on a sunny Saturday morning.

The switch to the three lap course was necessitated by the circus weekender set-up, with numerous visitors from around the UK joining to tackle the 5km course.

Of those competing, 34 were first time visitors to Barry Island, with Soren Adams the pick of the bunch.

A sub 17 minute runner over the 5km distance, Soren made the short journey from his regular haunt at Cardiff parkrun to register a debut win in a time of just under 19 minutes.

Taking 2nd and 3rd places respectively were Gareth Hurman and Rhys MacPherson.

For the ladies, Louise McKee was first across the line in a time of 23:57, closely followed by Caitlin Williams and Nia Sweet, while Caitlin's mum, Lisa, celebrated her 100th parkrun.

Further milestones of 50 runs apiece were celebrated by Barry Island regulars Richard Jackson and Michelle Green.

Run director Dave Shields said: "It was great seeing Lisa, Richard and Michelle clocking up their milestone runs at Barry Island this week.

"It was also pleasing that everyone adhered to the 'only cross the finish line once' request. Recent events have had people cross the line more than once which means significant extra work for the results processor and delays the results being published.

"As far as results go, one under-11 had to be excluded from the final results as they were unaccompanied during the event. For child safety and protection, it is a requirement that under-11's must be accompanied by a designated adult throughout the entire run. Alternatively, runners aged 4-14 can take part, accompanied or not, at any of the junior parkrun events."

The first junior parkrun, which is free, takes place this Sunday, August 13, at 9am in Romilly Park and is open to juniors aged 4-14. Adults may run with their children if they so wish, but must leave the course before the finish. The start and finish of the 2k is just inside the park's southern entrance (closest to the tunnel that leads to The Knap) and is completely contained within Romilly Park.

To get the best from any parkrun event, participants are advised to register with parkrun and turn up with a printed copy of your individual barcode. For further information on Barry junior parkrun, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/barry-juniors.

Barry parkrun would like to thank the following volunteers who helped make the event possible:

Mike JAMES • Andrew M SEDGMOND • Sally MARSH • Ian JENKINS • Dave SHIELDS • Alexandra TOMBS • Claire Louise THORNE • Ben BUTLER-MADDEN • Joanna WHITE • Martyn PARSONS • Kirstine HUGHES • Denise APLIN • Sally BLOOMFIELD • Sarah-Jane MILLS • Suzanne BLAKE • Rachel GIBBS • Lauren BLAKE • Sarah THOMAS • Sarah WESTERN • Sophie JAMES • Christopher BARNSLEY