AFTER a week’s break for the Isle of Fire in the promenade gardens, Barry Island parkrun was back this week and raring to go.

This week the 19 volunteers were joined by 156 runners ready to take on the challenge of Barry Island’s 5km course.

It was not a week for record-breaking times, with Chris Medcalf of San Domenico RC crossing the line first in a time of 19:22. Rachel Eales of Penarth & Dinas Runners was first in the ladies' category in a time of 22:20, finishing in 18th place overall.

Among those competing were visitors from Newport and Clevedon, taking a break from their regular venues to visit Barry Island and adding to the group of 35 first timers on the course.

Parkrun tourism is popular with regular runners, who frequently travel to other parkruns across the country, Europe and the world.

And with more and more parkruns starting up across the globe, there are now more destinations than ever where runners can take part in a spot of parkrun tourism.

For those staying in Wales, there are currently 25 parkruns to choose from across the country, as well as 10 junior events that take place on a Sunday.

These are soon to be joined on August 13 by the brand new Barry junior parkrun that will take place in Romilly Park every Sunday at 9am.

This Saturday's event also saw two regular runners that were running for the last time as singles.

Justin Doran ran in a monkey costume carrying an ice cream and proudly wearing a ‘Groom To Be’ sash. He was joined by friends wearing a dragon and a sheep costume.

Also taking part prior to her wedding was Louise Lang, wearing a veil and a ‘Bride To Be’ sash.

Both are members of Barry’s 'Seriously Mad Runners' and there were plenty of their clubmates present to cheer them around the course.

And if you’re thinking that it’s unlucky to see the bride before the wedding… they were not marrying each other.

Like all other parkruns, Barry Island parkrun is free and accessible to all. Runners should register at parkrun.org.uk/register, print their personal barcode and take it with them on a Saturday morning.

Barry Island parkrun is organised and run entirely by volunteers. If you would like to get involved in helping out then please get in touch at barryislandhelpers@parkrun.com

For more information on Barry Island parkrun, visit parkrun.org.uk/barryisland. Details on the new Barry junior event can be found at parkrun.org.uk/barry-juniors.