WITH the spring marathon season fast approaching Penarth runners ramped up their training with two races over the weekend.

Runners tackled the scenic Rhyadar Round the Lakes 20 miler in blustery conditions on Saturday, followed by the equally windy and sodden Llanelli Half Marathon on Sunday.

Llanelli was made even more competitive with club championship points at stake for all those taking part and bidding for glory in their respective age categories.

Last year’s clun champion, Gary Brown, was the first Penarth runner to cross the finish line in the Rhyadar 20. Overcoming illness earlier in the week, as well as a stitch around mile four, he notched up an impressive personal best time by more than seven minutes. He finished 27th overall with a time of 2.21.16. He’s now well on course to beating his three-hour London Marathon target in a few weeks.

Knill Baird-Murray was the next Penarth runner to cross the finish line in 94th with a PB of 2.39.27.

Lindsey Hunt finished in 3.21.45, followed by Yvonne Williams in 3.24.01 and Abyd Quinn Aziz in 3.54.17. Paul Whitmarsh, who ran the race with Abyd, achieved a PB of 3.54.18.

Justine Cass powered through to 4.12.25.

Unlike Rhyadar, where the sun shone, runners had to overcome torrential rain and gale force winds in the Llanelli Waterside Half Marathon.

Despite the tough conditions many of them achieved impressive times.

Richard Jackson-Hookins, Danielle Rayner, Louise Hunt, Jenny Tincombe, Nick Jones and Ben Butler-Madden all took home a shiny new medal and a PB.

Richard Jackson-Hookins was the first from Penarth to finish in 1.21.55.

Ben Butlerr-Madden was not far behind in 1.22.25.

Clem Clement was next in 1.34.29.

Debbie Evans, who was second in her age category and tenth lady overall, overcame a foot injury to finish in 1.36.32.

Rob Wilcox was next in 1.37.15, followed by Andrea Hurman in 1.38.07 and Nick Jones in 1.38.52.

Louise Hunt was next in 1.40.46, Malcolm Bradley in 1.42.29, Josh Davies 1.44.04, Steve Goodfellow 1.47.43, Danielle Rayner 1.50.06, Beverley Warburton 1.52.02, Helen Griffiths 1.58.35, Janice Clement 2.01.19, Andrea Goodfellow 2.03.41 and Jenny Tincombe 2.16.19.

The next club championship fixture will be the Ponty Reverse 10 on March 29.

Penarth and Dinas Runners will also be taking part in the San Domenico 20 mile road race this weekend.

The club meet every Monday evening at Penarth Leisure Centre at 7pm. Anyone is welcome to try the club out for a few sessions.