A RECORD number of runners braved high winds and slippery conditions to take part in the Parkwood Porthkerry 5 multi-terrain race on the weekend.

A total of 210 hardy runners battled through five miles of trails, roads and fields to finish the Penarth and Dinas Runners hosted race at Porthkerry Park on Sunday, May 11.

The build up to the race had been blighted by high winds that had felled several trees across South Wales.

The day before, when members of the running club completed a last minute recce of the route, a massive branch had fallen in the park and had to be cleared away.

Thankfully on race day the gale force winds had died down a little and the threatened heavy rain held off.

The figure of eight course was not without it's challenges though, with several runners choosing to walk up the steep forest inclines that proved very slippery and muddy after the previous days rain.

Despite the challenging conditions all the runners enjoyed the race and their goody bag that included a wicking technical t-shirt, apple and chocolate bar.

The race was the inaugural fixture in the South Wales Running League, with clubs entering teams of six men and four women to score points in the new competition.

The popular race had also been chosen as part of the South Wales Regional Athletics Council Trail Championship to add another string to its bow and an extra competitive edge.

As well as marshalling the event Penarth and Dinas Runners also entered men's and women's teams into the race to score points in the South Wales Running League.

Their teams consisted of Gary Brown, Chris Nellins, Malcolm Bradley, Andrew Palmer, Simon Marks, Glenn Powell, Louise Hunt, Danielle Rayner, Jane Blethyn and Helen Griffiths.

Cardiff AAC's Ciaran Lewis was the first runner to cross the finish line and break the tape in a time of 29.40.

Les Croupiers RC's Oliver Williams claimed 2nd in 30.17.

Aberdare Valley AAC's Jason Bragg was 3rd in 31.06.

The first woman to cross the finish line was Les Croupiers RC's Claire Beatty in 35.15.

Bitton Road Runners member Fiona Blackmore took 2nd in 36.07.

Pontypridd Roadents RC's Clara Evans was the 3rd woman to finish in 37.25.

The top three men and women also took home medals, to go with their trophies and bottles of wine prizes, in the South Wales Regional Athletics Council Trail Championship.

The 1st veteran men's runner was Les Croupiers RC's Matthew Hurford in 31.34.

The 1st veteran women's runner was Aberdare Valley AAC's Lisa Jones in 37.44.

The 1st senior veteran 45 men's runner was Les Croupiers RC's Phil Cook in 33.47.

The 1st senior veteran women's runner was Les Croupiers RC's Susan Watson in 39.23.

The first man and woman from Parkwood Leisure to finish was Catherine Hayes in 43.23 and Russell Thorne in 47.41.

Penarth and Dinas Runners meet every Monday evening at Cosmeston Country Park at 7pm. Their next organised race is the Cosmeston Relays on July 16.