EVENT number 146 of the Barry Island parkrun last weekend saw an event 'takeover' from the Vale Surf Life Saving Club VSLSC).

Takeovers are where a group or club fill in for most or all of the roles and marshal posts that enable the 5km parkrun event to take place. Members of VSLSC are regularly seen at parkrun to boost their fitness and endurance, and wanted to pay something back with the event takeover.

Preparations for this week's event had been weeks in the making, and with parts of the Vale were still feeling the after effects of 'the Beast from the East' long after the snow had cleared from most places, Barry Island was no exception.

As late as Thursday, the car park section of the Headland path was still covered in 250mm of snow for a good 50m, meaning the event was in danger of being cancelled for a second consecutive week.

A superb response by the Vale of Glamorgan Council's resort management team however saw all of the snow and ice cleared from the path, enabling the event to go ahead.

Saturday saw 127 people completing the course, including four first timers to Barry Island, one of whom was Neil Bayntun-Roberts of Lytham St Annes RRC. Roberts is undertaking a rather unusual challenge in that he is running all of the UK parkruns in alphabetical order. With more than 500 locations in the UK alone, Barry Island parkrun would like to wish him well in this epic endeavour.

Taking first place was Jeff Cox in a time of 19:01, ahead of Tom Lowrie in 19:07 and Nathan Christoforato in 19:42. The first lady home was Cath Barker (21:58) recording her third 'first lady' at Barry in 2018.

Fellow Penarth and Dinas runner Rachel Eales was second for the ladies, with Seriously Mad Runners' Caitlin Williams taking third spot.

No fewer than 26 runners recorded new PB's, testament to the encouragement exuded by the VSLSC marshals.

Someone else getting huge cheers around the course was Dr Mike James, who was cheered on by members of his family around the course on the day he celebrated his 80th birthday.

Run director Dave Shields said: "We have many 'thank you's to offer this week.

"Firstly, to the guys from the Vale council who cleared the path, and to the ladies in the events team that got the ball rolling on this, without whom another cancellation was on the cards. You were all stars.

"Secondly, to Tom Lowrie who also took it upon himself to assist with the snow clearing.

"Thirdly, a huge thank you to the members of the VSLSC for their takeover of the event – it was a pleasure to have you guys here, with all feedback from both myself and the runners being nothing but exemplary.

"Finally, we owe a debt of gratitude to the non-VSLSC volunteers that helped with some of the finish area roles and training.

"This week especially showed the effects of how everyone came together to ensure the run happened.

"It had been a bit of a hectic week, with numerous course visits to assess the snow situation, but the commitment shown by the Vale council and VSLSC made my task a breeze on the day.

"We were especially pleased that Dr Mike wanted to celebrate his 80th birthday by running with us this morning and you need look no further to see where true inspiration comes from."

Next Saturday's run is pyjama themed. For more information, visit the Barry Island parkrun page on Facebook.

This week's event was made possible by the following volunteers:

Lyn Evans • Alexandra Tombs • Helen Archer • Simon Parker • Claire Connolly • Hugh Connolly • Daisy Connolly • Julie Smith • Joanne Bagwell • Riah Spickett • Reuben Hopkin • Colin Peterson • Steven Baker • Sarah Bryant • Alison Woolcock • Ellie Peterson • Brooke Peterson • Emily Parker • Gemma Ewington • Declan Ewington • Suzanne Baker • Abigail Baker • Rob Gardiner • Ben Ewington • Dafydd Nicholls • Tesni Gardiner • Megan Gardiner • Louie Gwatkin • Janet Parker • Stephanie Williams • Sion Ewington • David Hopkin • Honor Hopkin • Lynne Gwatkin