FOR THE SECOND successive year, it was a record sell-out field of over 220 teams and more than 700 runners who set out on a sunny July 12 evening at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, to take on the challenge of the 2017 Cosmeston Relay Race.

First held in 1990, the race is put on every July by Penarth and Dinas Runners.

Men’s, women’s and mixed teams of three or four runners compete over a three mile off-road mixed-terrain course, entirely within the park. The race has grown steadily over its twenty-seven year history and is very popular with running clubs and all-comers teams from right across south Wales. Despite adding an additional 25 team places this year, the race sold out in under for hours, reflecting both the popularity of the race and the continued growth in running in the area.

Amongst the teams taking part were sizeable groups from Run4All Neath, Pontypridd Roadents, CDF Runners, Brackla Harriers, Lliswerry Runners and SMR (Barry) whilst newcomers included Women Running Penarth, Pencoed Panthers, Pontyclun Road Runners and Girls Together.

Still a relatively new feature of the race, introduced in 2015, is the use of relay batons, fitted with electronic timing chips, which have to be transferred between runners at the end of their respective legs. For many of the runners, this was the first time they’d used a relay baton since their schooldays. It led to an interesting variety of change-over techniques - most of which seemed to feature a smile or two as well as some anxious faces in the start pen.

Hosts Penarth and Dinas Runners entered three strong teams - cheered on by over 50 other club members in various volunteer roles around the course. The club’s four man team of Gary Brown, Andy Jones, Richard Jackson-Hookins and Ben Butler Madden came second in a very competitive Masters Men 35-44 category in a time of 1:06:47. The women’s team (Rachel Eales, Cath Barker and Zoe Dobbs) claimed a very respectable fifth place in a tough senior women’s group, finishing in 0:57:51. Despite dropping their baton, the mixed team of Marc Durkin, Ruth Cann and Mike Morgan recovered well to finish second in their category, with a time of 0:57:46 - narrowly missing out on a trophy.

Speaking ahead of the prize presentations, chairwoman of Penarth and Dinas Runners, Yvonne Williams, commented "Thank you to all the runners, volunteers and park rangers who’ve all contributed to a record-breaking race in a wonderful location and in a great atmosphere.

"Congratulations to our prize winners and to all the teams who got their batons safely around the course tonight.

"We look forward to welcoming you all back in 2018."

In the eleven prize categories, the winning teams and times were:

Senior Men (Under 35 - 4 Runners) - Cardiff AAC - 1:01:07

Masters Men (35-44 - 4 Runners) - Les Croupiers Masters A - 1:05:10

Masters Men (45-54) - San Domenico RC Team E - 0:56:31

Masters Men (55+) - Brackla Harriers 7 - 0:58:11

Senior Women (Under 35) - Cardiff AAC A - 0:51:16

Masters Women (35-44) - Les Croupiers Ladies - 0:58:38

Masters Women (45-54) - Brackla Harriers Ladies Team 7 - 1:03:41

Masters Women (55+) - Brackla Harriers Ladies Team 8 - 1:17:28

All-Comers (Men) - CDF Runners Team 1 (0:52:29)

All-Comers (Mixed) - Team Tango (0:57:12)

All-Comers (Ladies) - CDF Runners 5 - 1:04:36

With demand for race places again expected to be very high in 2018, the organisers have said they will be carefully evaluating this year’s race to assess whether more teams can safely be added in future.