WITH summer fast approaching it was another glorious Saturday morning on the promenade for event number 56 of the Barry Island parkrun.

The running bug is certainly catching with a staggering 42 first timers included in the 133 strong field, an impressive sight heading off towards Marco’s on their first of the two laps.

Barry Island parkrun regularly welcomes visitors from far and wide. This week there were visitor groups from a little closer to home with members of Cwm Ogwr Running Club and Brackla Harriers enjoying a spot of parkrun tourism.

This week also saw a total of 19 running clubs represented, with the usual sizeable presence from Barry’s SMR and runners from as far afield as Serpentine RC (Kieran Geaney), Headington RRC (Richard Skilbeck) and Newcastle (Staffs) Triathlon Club (Ben and Joanne Donnelly).

One of the first time visitors, Richard Sewell (Les Croupiers RC) was running his 200th parkrun. It was a rare bit of tourism for Richard, who’s chalked up 198 Cardiff parkruns in his 200. He’s been to Grovelands parkrun in Enfield too.

There was a good showing from the growing group of young runners, with 12 runners under the age of 18 coming along to keep the grown-ups in check. The number of family groups, sometimes spanning three generations, running together seems to increase each week too.

As usual, great vocal support was provided by all 18 volunteers, who regularly step forward to make sure each event runs smoothly and safely.

Hitting the 50 mark for volunteering was Barry Island co-event director and co-founder of local running group SMR, Ian Thorne. Ian’s dedication to the running in the Barry area has seen participation numbers rise dramatically, with lots of new runners joining running clubs and groups and becoming regulars to the Island on a Saturday morning.

Many of the new runners are getting the bug and entering running events across the Vale and the South Wales area. The most recent event saw parkrun run directors Claire and Kirstine, both new to running, take part in the Women's Running 5k and 10k in Bute Park, Cardiff, a fantastic achievement for both.

In another week of excellent running conditions, 22 runners achieved new course personal best times, ranging from Aled Hughes’s 20:40, through Stuart Keepings’ 22:03, Chris Nellins’ 22:12, Jane Blethyn’s 26:07 up to Ceri Owen’s 34:21.

With a large group of visitors and some of the regulars away for the holiday weekend, the top three spots this week all went to new faces. Rhys Knight of Caerleon RC, was first over the line in 19:08, Richard Skilbeck from Headington RRC, was second in 19:17 and Sean Lewis of Brackla Harriers, was third in 19:29.

In the women’s top three places were Katie Beecher of Les Croupiers RC, who was first (sixth overall) over the line in 20:12, Cath Barker, from Penarth and Dinas Runners, second in a new PB of 23:06 and newcomer Elaine Wharmby of Pegasus RC, third in 24:20. Almost 40 per cent of the runners this week, 51 out of 133, were female, and they recorded 50 per cent of the 22 PB times.

Since May 2 last year, Barry Island parkrunners have completed 4,986 runs covering a total distance of 24,930km. So, next weekend should see a couple of significant milestones for the event, with the 5,000th run completed, meaning runners will have then clocked up more than 25,000km in just over a year.

Barry Island parkrun is a free, weekly 5k timed run and is open to anyone of any ability - runners, joggers or walkers alike. It starts at 9am every Saturday morning under the Eastern Shelter of Barry Island promenade, near the beach huts.

Find out more on the run website at parkrun.org.uk/barryisland. It’s entirely run by volunteers. Anyone wishing to help out can get in touch by sending an email to barryislandhelpers@parkrun.com.