GRANGEMOOR parkrun number 33 featured a club take over by Penarth and Dinas Runners, who took on most of the morning’s volunteer roles on June 18, decked out the course in the club’s blue and yellow colours and provided the 92 runners with plenty of vocal support.

After checking he was in the right place, Lyn Evans, one of the event directors at Barry Island parkrun, gave the runners a short briefing and got things underway to cheers from the Penarth and Dinas Runners’ volunteer team.

The field included a number of visitors from as far afield as Glasgow and Australia, with 16 runners making their Grangemoor debuts.

The club take over also allowed some of the regular Grangemoor volunteer team to enjoy a run, including run directors Erika Fitzgibbon - Women Running Penarth - and Courtney Taylor - San Domenico RC.

The strong field was led home by Adrien Pilat of CDF Runners in 18:04, followed by Michael Riley - Les Croupiers RC - in 18:28. Aaron Jones achieved a new course personal best time of 19:00 in third place.

The first woman finisher was Grangemoor regular Becky Griffiths in 21:53 (tenth overall). Paula Allen - Pegasus RC - was second in 24:06, closely followed by Marie Price in 24:08.

There were 22 course personal best times set on Saturday, including Stephen Paskell - Pontyclun Road Runners - with 22:06, junior runners Evan Warburton’s 26:15 and Oliver McNabb’s 27:10 and Kay Nellins - Women Running Penarth - with a 29:12 finish.

After 33 events, the annual points table for the men sees Ferdi Ianucci on top with 2,833 points, Martin Doyle in second on 2,438 points, and Dafydd Tristan Davies - Outdoor Fitness Running Club - third on 2,396 points. Martyn and Dafydd both have the maximum 300 volunteer points.

Catherine Barker - Penarth and Dinas Runners - has a good lead at the top of the women’s annual points table on 2,269 points, including the maximum 300 volunteer points. She was on finish token duty today with her son David.

Not to be left out, daughter Caitlin was assistant tail runner too. In second place in the table is Becky Griffiths on 1,864 points, with Victoria Watson in third place on 1,494 points.

Take over events are regular features of many parkruns, to help build links with local running groups and volunteer organisations.

Penarth and Dinas Runners is a friendly and enthusiastic adult running club for runners of all abilities. Anyone interested in joining can try out two free sessions with the club. Groups typically run on three weekday evenings every week, with varied sessions aimed at improving speed and endurance, as well as a conversational paced mid-week run.

The club is based at Penarth Leisure Centre in Cogan in the autumn, winter and spring and at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park for the summer months.

For more information, visit the club’s website penarthanddinasrunners.org.uk or email membership@penarthanddinasrunners.org.uk.

New members are always given a warm welcome.