A GLORIOUS sunny Saturday morning greeted the participants in the latest Barry Island parkrun.

With a busy weekend schedule of running events across the Bank Holiday weekend, including the Severn Bridge Half Marathon on Sunday and the Cardiff Pentath across both days, Barry Island parkrun still managed to attract 136 keen runners to the course on Saturday which saw a return to the regular two lap course.

Former run director Kirstine Hughes delivered the first timers' briefing to an assembly of 28 runners before current director Dave Shields signalled the race start at 9am. With rising temperatures and not a breath of wind, an impressive 35 recorded new personal bests.

Sadly, seven runners didn't pre-register at parkrun.org.uk, or had failed to bring their barcodes with them. Unfortunately this was the case for the first over the line, making this the 11th time 'unknown athlete' has been first to finish.

Second across the line was Barry Island stalwart Robert Newman, recording both a fastest run (19:45) and a highest finish PB. In third, one second behind Rob, was Matthew Ryan.

For the ladies, Laura Gush (Bearbrook Running Club) took the spoils with a time of 22:15 on her first visit to Barry. Second was Rebecca Helmore (24:14) and the third lady home was Kirsty Wilson in 24:22.

Amongst the 'parkrun tourists' to Barry were Adam and Carol Bull who completed their 'Cowell Club' runs with us. The Cowell Club is for parkrunners who have run at 100 different UK parkruns.

No course records were broken this weekend, so Olly Williams and Emma Wookey still hold the fastest male and female finish times and Angharad Mair retains the age grade record.

Dave Shields said after the race: "With the Llantwit 10k taking place today and the Severn Bridge 13.1 tomorrow, it was pleasing to see nearly 140 runners taking part this morning. With the clash, volunteer numbers could've been a potential problem. Thankfully a healthy mix of experienced and newer volunteers stepped forward ensuring the parkrun could take place and they all deserve a massive thank you.

"A few of this morning's helpers mentioned that they try to volunteer at least once in every ten runs. This is a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with as it would make the weekly task of getting volunteers simple."

Safety was maintained on the course by John Dyer, Edwina Stoker, David Brown, Jon Hussey, Scott Rose, Harriett & Paul Kehl, Sarah Jones and Russell Thorne. Under the Eastern shelter were Kirstine Hughes, Ben Butler-Madden, Nigel James, Alex Tombs, Alison Gilmour, Jo Bagwell, Liz Mallen, Justin Doran, and finally, with 'tail walker' responsibilities, was Helen McCarthy.

A special thank you goes to Justin Doran, who not only managed to do a full stint on 'non scans', but managed to catch the train enabling him to compete in the Llantwit 10k event.