ON A sunny but blustery Saturday morning, the first Barry Island parkrun of July was enjoyed by another three figure field, as 102 runners took on the prom, garden and Nells Point for their free weekly timed 5k run.

There were 19 Barry Island newcomers, nine junior runners, three over-65s and representatives of 12 running clubs. Despite a challenging headwind on the uphill sections of the course, there were 21 course personal best times set.

Amongst another great 17-strong volunteer team was run director Kirstine Hughes, who was applauded by the passing runners as she racked up 50 volunteer contributions at Barry Island, in just 61 events. Three of the six run directors have now achieved this milestone.

The team also welcomed Natalie Taylor for her first volunteer outing. She thoroughly enjoyed her Finish Token Support role and will be volunteering again, as well as running, in the future.

Denise Aplin provided this week’s new runners’ briefing - an extra pre-run safety briefing for course newcomers to tell them about the course and help keep them and other course users safe.

A look through the results this week showed an age range from under-11 to over-70. Youngest runner Imogen Davies clearly enjoyed her third parkrun, as did the oldest participant John Deakin (Barry and Vale Harriers), in his 38th.

First over the finish line this week was Matthew Ryan in a time of 19:22, his second time in 24 runs. He was over a minute ahead of second-placed John Magee (Les Croupiers RC) in 20:38. Robert Newman was third over the line in a new course personal best of 20:58.

The first three women finishers all came in within 15 seconds of each other and, unusually, in consecutive overall finish positions - 17, 18 and 19. First home in a new PB time of 23:18 was Caitlin Williams of Seriously Mad Runners (Barry) - her second time in 46 appearances.

Sarah Louise Fry was second over the line in PB of 23:26, and Louise Hunt (Penarth and Dinas Runners) was third over the line in 23:33 in her first run at Barry Island.

Visitor Mike Davies (VM65-69 age category) from Les Croupiers RC, recorded this week’s best age grade score with 70.51 per cent for his time of 24:01. Mike’s doing a tour around the South Wales parkruns at the moment. He’d enjoyed a swim in the new lido after visiting Pontypridd parkrun the previous week - but for some reason didn’t take up the option of a sea swim this week. He was very complimentary about the course and the volunteers though.

Featuring amongst the 21 course PB times this week were Matthew Cockrell (21:36), junior Thomas Cox (28:09), Fiona Campbell (29:31) and Jo-Anne Gwynne (34:09) - both visitors from Pontypridd Roadents AC - and Susie Lynne Jones (41:40).

After eight events, the men's annual points competition is headed by Robert Newman on 752 points, followed by Mike James on 712 points and Mark Ellis (Barry and Vale Harriers) on 697 points in third spot. In the women’s competition, it’s the Williams clan from Seriously Mad Runners (Barry) dominating the first table. Caitlin leads the way on 875 points, Lisa’s second with 841 points and Bethan’s close behind in third with 837 points.

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.