IT WAS a busy affair on the promenade at Barry Island this Saturday morning so with runners’ safety paramount it was a switch to the much loved alternative course.

Still with the same fantastic views across the channel, the runners got to experience the joys of ‘Heartbreak Hill’ no less than three times, much to everyone’s delight. There certainly seems to be an added buzz when the alternative course is being used and each runner takes on the challenge with great enthusiasm.

The 29 first timers among this week’s field of exactly 100 were not disappointed and even paid compliment to what is a very challenging route in a superb location.

This weekends run saw the events 5,000th finisher since parkrun began at Barry Island back in May of last year. Although he didn’t know it at the time, it was 14th placed Stuart Keeping who was finisher 5,000.

The new total of 5,088 finishers means there’s been over 25,000km of parkrunning in that time - far enough to have run nearly two thirds of the way around the earth in just 57 events. The Barry Island parkrun leadership team is very grateful for the excellent support it’s received from the Vale of Glamorgan Council, in allowing the run to take place every week on a safe, attractive and well maintained course.

First across the line this week was Alex Lea (unattached) making his second visit to the Island, in a time of 18:55. Representing Parc Bryn Bach RC, and second across the line was Stephen Williams (20:10) with Drew Webber of Brackla Harriers crossing third in 20:51.

Hot on their heels in fourth overall and first female to cross the line was junior runner Jessica Wadey of Cardiff AAC, finishing in 20:58. Joanne Donnelly from Newcastle (Staffs) Triathlon Club, was second woman (seventh overall) over the line in 21:36 while visitor Sharon Newell (VW45-49) of Pont-y-pwl and District Runners, was third in 22:35.

The three lap course also brings out the best in the volunteers and there was once again extra special encouragement with lots of singing and music to spur on the runners. A few volunteer milestones were reached this week with core team members Richard Street and Kirstine Hughes both reaching the half century mark.

Joining the team for her first ever time volunteer role was Michele Spence who thoroughly enjoyed her role out on Nells Point, despite the singing provided throughout by Julie Broughton. Runners were also greeted by self-contained DJ Dave Shields smashing out the tunes on the way out to the Point.

Dave, Lyn Evans and Ben Butler-Madden from the core team, along with a number of regular Barry Island runners and volunteers took part in this weekend’s Welsh Castles Relays Race from Caernarvon to Cardiff.

With 65 teams running 20 stages over 200-plus miles in two days, like parkrun it relies heavily on volunteers. So, as well as racing, the runners will marshal along the way, provide transport and dish out water, sponges and encouragement to their fellow runners.

It was no surprise, then, to bump into Barry Island regular Andrew Sedgmond marshalling on a bridge in Caernarvon harbour at 9am on Saturday, on top of Mynydd Epynt on Sunday morning and at Taffs Well later on Sunday. There were quite a few parkrun t-shirts in evidence along the route, too.

The absence of some of the usual suspects meant there was plenty of room for visitors to the Island, with runners from Pontypool, Ebbw Vale, Bridgend, Newport, Manchester and Southend opting for some weekend parkrun tourism. Among the locals taking part in the Saturday morning were runners from Barry and Vale Harriers and Women’s Running Penarth.

If you would like take part in parkrun either as a runner or volunteer please visit parkrun.org.uk/register to get yourself registered. parkrun is completely free and run by volunteers. Simply register with parkrun, print off your unique barcode, turn up and run. If you would like any further information or would like to volunteer please contact us at barryislandoffice@parkrun.com