IT’S BEEN an interesting and varied start to 2016 at Barry Island parkrun. There have already been four runs held so far this year, starting with a new attendance record of 236 at the inaugural New Year’s Day event.

At the next two regular Saturday runs, there were plenty of new runners enjoying their first parkrunning experience. Icy weather on January 16, however, resulted in the organising team cancelling the run for safety reasons.

So it was business as usual last Saturday, with near perfect running conditions and a great Barry Island sunrise to welcome the early arriving volunteers for the day.

First time parkrunners continued to find their way to the prom too, with over 20 per cent of the 67 runners enjoying their first parkrun. It was great to see a number of new family groups running and volunteering together.

Over 1,100 different runners have now taken part in a Barry Island parkrun since it started in May 2015. In the sunshine and gentle breeze, 16 runners set new personal best times. The run was put on by a team of 22 volunteers - new and old.

Making their last appearance at Barry Island parkrun for a while were regular runners and volunteers Clem and Janice Clement. Both have been enthusiastic supporters of parkrun from the outset. They leave for the Glasgow parkrun scene with best wishes from everyone in the local running community.

Looking ahead to next Saturday, there’s a double-bill of extra activities planned with a club take-over event coupled with a pacer run. Cardiff Nike+ Run Club will be taking over most of the volunteer roles this week, giving runners an opportunity to find out more about their club and its activities.

A pacer run gives parkrunners the chance to chase a goal time (maybe a personal best) by providing target runners who aim to finish at specific times. This coming Saturday, pacers will be running at two minute intervals from 19 to 39 minutes. Why not come along and give it a try.

Barry Island parkrun is a free, weekly 5km timed run and is open to anyone of any ability - runners, joggers or walkers alike. There’s no time limit to complete the course. It starts at 9am every Saturday morning under the Eastern Shelter of Barry Island promenade, near the beach huts. Find out more on their website at parkrun.org.uk/barryisland.

If you're new to parkrun or are thinking about joining in on a Saturday morning, make sure you've registered first. You can do so by visiting parkrun.org.uk/registration. You'll be sent a personal barcode which you can print and bring along. There’s a new runners’ briefing at 8.50am to talk you through the whole parkrun experience.

parkrun is entirely free to join and take part in and is run by volunteers. If you'd like to volunteer at any time, please get in touch by sending an email to barryislandhelpers@parkrun.com or visit their Facebook page for more information.