IT MIGHT be the highest mountain in Wales, but that didn’t stop a hardy bunch of Penarth runners tackling the Snowdonia Marathon last weekend.

In typical autumnal weather the determined runners completed one of the hardest marathons in the UK.

For one Penarth runner, Yvonne Williams, it was the crowning glory as she finished her sixth marathon in six months in her 60th year.

Despite the gruelling hills Lisa Cleary also ran her best marathon time this year, which was no mean feat considering she had already tackled the fairly flat London and Liverpool marathons.

For other members of the club it was the chance to enjoy one of the most popular races on the running calendar, and give themselves the chance to be called ‘mountain marathon runners’.

Lisa Cleary was the first Penarth runner to cross the finish line in 3.42.31.

Rob Wilson was the first man from Penarth to finish in 4.13.53.

Malcolm Bradley was next up in 4.24.17.

Heather Williams was 4.41.12.

Yvonne Williams, who bravely tackled the race despite being injured the week before, finished in 4.46.17.

Steve Hill and Michelle Hoey finished in 4.48.45 and 4.48.46 respectively.

Abyd Quinn Aziz and Paul Whitmarsh, who enjoyed running the race together, finished in 5.19.51 and 5.19.53.

After the race the runners, as well as the team of supporters including Debbie Williams, Lindsey Hunt, Andrea Hurman, Andrew Palmer and Judy Maragna, celebrated in style in the town.

The following day several of the runners had their five minutes of fame as they caught glimpses on themselves on the S4C highlights programme of the marathon on Sunday evening.

On Monday, October 27, Penarth and Dinas Runners also presented a cheque for £600 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) charity.

The money was raised from the running club’s two races, the Cosmeston Relays and Porthkerry 5, held earlier this year.

It comes after the club also donated £600 to its other designated charity for the year, the Marie Curie hospice in Penarth, during a skittles night.

Penarth runner Debbie Evans has also secured match funding from her employer, Lloyds Bank, bringing an additional donation of £250 to each charity too.

The bank chose to match the funding in recognition of the club's efforts and the charities' fantastic work in their respective fields.

Everyone at the club would like to thank Lloyds Bank for their kind donation, and Debbie Evans for successfully applying for it.