THE inaugural Brecon Carreg Barry Island 10k is coming to the area this Sunday with thousands of runners and visitors expected to descend on the seaside resort.

The new 10k race will bring a festival of running to the seafront and form a key part of a new sporting Barry Island Weekender.

Almost 4,000 runners are set to attend the event across the 10k and family races, which takes in some of the town’s landmarks, including Whitmore Bay, The Knap, and Romilly Park along a route devised by Olympic marathon runner Steve Brace.

Tŷ Hafan, the sully-based children’s hospice, are the lead charity partner to the Brecon Carreg Barry Island 10K.

There will also be a ‘race village’ on the Island featuring fun family activities including bicycle powered bubbles, whirly wheels paint spinning, live music and food and drinks from The Thirsty Elephant, Ele’s, Bwydiful, Dusty Knuckle Pizza and more.

Volunteers will support the event, taking on roles handing out medals and manning water stations.

A number of car parks will be available as well as a ‘Park and Steam’ service to Barry Island railway station.

Families and friends can track their loved ones’ progress on the Run 4 Wales app.

Vale council leader, Cllr John Thomas said: “We’re delighted to bring this event to Barry Island alongside partners Run 4 Wales.

“The council has carried out major regeneration work at the Island in recent years to establish the area as a top-quality seaside resort.

“This has gone hand in hand with a first-rate events programme known as the Barry Island Weekender Series.

The Barry Island 10k will see participants taking on a route which starts and ends on Friars Road, heading into Barry town along the way.

The route takes in some of Barry’s most scenic areas including Romilly Park and The Knap and including views of the Bristol channel and Porthkerry Country Park.

The route takes participants from the promenade and through Barry’s regenerated area before arching around the iconic Barry Docks Offices building.

After tackling the race’s only significant climb on Subway Road, runners will go along Broad Street, before passing by Barry train station and heading into Romilly Park.

Scenic views of the Bristol Channel and Porthkerry Country Park await the runners at the 6K mark.

They will then take in The Knap’s pebble beach and along The Parade before getting back to the Island to take on the final 2K.

Runners will pass the crowds before a loop of the amusement centre and a downhill finish alongside the gardens on Friars Road.

The starting horn will sound at 10am, but there is something for all ages on a festival day of running.

The mascot race kicks off at 12.15pm before the first of two popular family fun runs at 12.30pm and 1.15pm.

A toddler dash along promenade will take place in between, with entries available on the day with a suggested £3 donation to Tŷ Hafan, who are the lead charity partner to the Brecon Carreg Barry Island 10K.