THIRTY of the 128 participants in last weekend's Barry Island parkrun recorded new personal best times, including nine who were running, jogging or walking the course for the first time.

With representatives from 13 different clubs taking part, Jeffrey Cox was first to cross the line in 19:04, while in the men's category he was followed by Robert Newman in 20:15. Taking third place in a time of 20:18 was youngster Reuben Hopkin, running in the JM11-14 category and finishing just four seconds outside of his personal best.

There was some impressive running from the ladies with Chloe Crossman (Guilford and Godalming AC) the first across the line in 20:11 to finish in second place overall, while Gillian Hopkins took second in her first ever Barry Island parkrun in 22:37. Lisa Cleary of Penarth and Dinas Runners finished close behind in 22:44.

Narrowly missing out on a top ten finish was another youngster, Rhys Powell. Rhys completed his sixth parkrun in 22:27 to slash 30 seconds from his previous personal best time, finishing in 14th spot overall. Determined not to be outdone by her son, Charlotte Powell, taking part in her ninth parkrun, took a massive two and a half minutes off her previous personal best time to finish in 33:12.

The weekend once again saw the welcome return of Barry Island favourites Clem and Janice Clement. Still currently residing in Glasgow, the Penarth & Dinas Runners duo returned to the Island for some parkrun ‘tourism’, finishing in 24:43 and 27:16 respectively.

This coming weekend, the team are planning a ‘pacer week’. Organised by run director Claire Thorne and core team member Julie Broughton, ‘pacer week’ is where the event announces a number of set pacer times. Pacer volunteers then identify themselves to the other participants by wearing tabards and try as best they can, to run to an agreed time, as evenly paced as possible.

The scheme will be dependent on sufficient volunteers coming forward to help out with the trial. This week, a range of roles will require filling including marshals, time keeping, tail walker and (barcode) scanning. Those interested in volunteering are asked to get in touch directly.

To get involved in parkrun you need to first register online at parkrun.org.uk/register. Parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k run that takes place every Saturday at 9am, starting at the Eastern Shelter of Barry Island promenade.

This week's event was made possible by 24 volunteers:

Robert Evans, Lyn Evans, Ian Thorne, Tessa Matthews, Ian Jenkins, Ian Warburton, Evan Warburton, Jeremy Holmes, Paul Kehl, Harriet Kehl, Nigel Adams, Claire Connolly, Jason Elworthy, Rhys Davies, Imogen Davies, Joanne Bagwell, Gaynor Loveless, Linda Chapple, Elizabeth Davis, Karen Adams, Ceri Grindal, Christopher Barnsley, Richard Rendell, Lindsay Capus.

For further information on how to get involved contact the team via email at barryislandoffice@parkrun.com or via www.facebook.com/barryislandparkrun

Saturdays full results and a complete event history can be found on the Barry Island parkrun Results Page.

A cold but dry Sunday morning also saw 57 eager juniors ready to run the course for event number 15.

Six first timers took part and an impressive 12 new personal bests were accomplished. Two members were added to the half marathon milestone wristband club, which junior runners receive after 11 runs. Martha Richards and William Garnet received their wristbands from run director Claire Thorne.

Further information on Barry Junior parkrun can be found at parkrun.org.uk/barry-juniors/