Glenn is quickest off mark for Trust (From Penarth Times)

Glenn is quickest off mark for Trust

HUNDREDS of runners descended on Cardiff Bay on Bank Holiday Monday to take part in the Corus Great Welsh run in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The five mile Great Welsh Run started at 11am and the 2k Fun Run at 10.30am.

The winner of the fun run was 15-year-old Glenn Harper from Penarth, who finished in a time of 6mins 40secs.

First over the line in the main event was Matt Lole from Coventry who finished the five-mile run in 24mins 29secs.

Carolyn Holt, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales said: "It"s been a fantastic day. Over 2000 runners have taken part and we hope to have raised over £40,000.

"All the money raised by the Corus Great Welsh Run helps to fund our gene therapy research, which could stop CF from claiming so many young lives. A big thank you to Corus for sponsoring us this year, and to everyone who took part."

Athlete Jamie Baulch was MC for the day and said: "This is the second year I have been involved in the Great Welsh Run and it"s great to see the event is a such a success.

"I support the Cystic Fibrosis Trust because a close friend of mine has Cystic Fibrosis and I know how difficult it can be to live with the illness."

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the UK's most common life-threatening inherited disease affecting 7,500 babies, children and young adults.

There are currently 345 young people with CF in Wales, almost 250 within 35 miles of Cardiff. CF is caused by a defective gene that clogs the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, with thick sticky mucus resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food. Each week in the UK five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis and three young people die.

The event was supported by the Sports Council for Wales, Cardiff County Council, Associated British Ports, the Millennium Centre, Norwest Holst and the Athletics Association for Wales.