LAST weekend was a big one in the South Wales running community with the first Newport Wales Marathon and 10k taking place on Sunday.

This meant that there were plenty of helpers making sure that the weekly Barry Island parkrun could take place safely.

122 people walked, jogged or ran the 5km 2 lap course on a breezy and chilly morning, including 16 first timers, all watched over by a team of 31 volunteers.

Amongst the visitors to Barry Island this week were runners from as far away as Surrey and Brighton.

Ben Butler-Madden of Penarth & Dinas Runners was the first runner back this week in a time of 18:30 with Lisa Cleary, also of Penarth & Dinas Runners the first lady to complete the course in 20:28.

Amongst this weeks’ runners were many showing of their newly acquired London Marathon shirts and medals…and why not, they worked hard to get them.

A notable achievement for John Magee of Mynyddwyr De Cymru, completing his 250th parkrun.

Some of the regular runners were saving their legs for the Marathon on Sunday but not one of them.

David Brown of Seriously Mad Runners not only ran but he got a little extra exercise in one of his legs when he went down on bended knee to propose to his partner Sarah Thomas just before the runners set off.

To the delight of the waiting runners she said yes. David completed his memorable weekend with a personal best marathon time of 3 hours 25 mins.

Looking ahead to this coming Saturday, it will be the third Anniversary of Barry Island parkrun.

With warmer temperatures and a Bank Holiday weekend on its way there’s sure to be plenty of extra runners taking to the paths around the promenade and Nell’s Point.

parkrun is free to take part in and is all inclusive to everyone over 4 years of age, although under 11s must be accompanied by an adult the whole time.

You can run, jog or walk your way around the course but make sure you register with parkrun first and print your personal barcode to take with you.

If you’re between the ages of 4 and 14 them maybe Barry junior parkrun is for you.

This takes place every Sunday at 9am in Romilly Park and is a 2km free timed run that enables 4 to 14 year olds to run on their own.

Parents are allowed to run with their children but the focus is on fun and not fast times.

The event however is timed and this week it was the girls that had the first runner back in a time of 8:30 for Rebecca George, a new Personal Best time with the first of the boys, Rhys McNabb in 9:03.

Barry Island and Barry Junior parkruns are organised and run by volunteers and are completely free to take part in.

They are always on the lookout for helpers, if you can spare the time on either a Saturday or Sunday then please get in touch at barryislandhelpers@parkrun.com or barry-juniorshelpers@parkrun.com