WITH more than two thirds of the 300 race places already filled, this year’s Legacy Leisure Porthkerry five mile multi-terrain race (10am Sunday May 8 in Porthkerry Country Park, Barry) looks set to break attendance records and sell-out for the first time in its 10 year history.

Organised by Penarth and Dinas Runners (www.penarthanddinasrunners.org.uk) and sponsored again by Legacy Leisure, the race is a chip-timed five mile multi-terrain race set largely within the 220 acres of Porthkerry Country Park, with stunning views of the Bristol Channel and Glamorgan heritage Coast.

The multi-terrain course is challenging enough for experienced club runners but equally suited to newer runners looking to try a short multi-terrain event for the first time.

Since its first running in 2006, and known variously as the ‘Porthkerry Plod’ and ‘Porthkerry Five’ over the years, the race has established itself as a popular fixture in the south Wales running calendar and hosted the prestigious Welsh national Short Course Trail Championship in 2015.

The race is staged over a one-lap, largely traffic-free, undulating figure of eight course, starting and finishing in the meadow near the cafe in the park and includes open grassland, woodland trails, and tarmac cycle paths. There are two challenging wooded hill climbs, quick flat sections and a few fast descents.

Commenting on last year’s race, medallist Sharon Leech said: “I've run the race a few times now, it's such a fantastic one to do, whatever the weather or how your own race goes, you know the marshals will be fab, the atmosphere uplifting and the course superb.”

All participants will receive a souvenir race t-shirt, a free three-day trial Expressions Fitness membership pass, courtesy of Legacy Leisure, and a discount voucher for the Trespass shop in Cardiff.

Marcos in the Park cafe will be doing special race day deals for all runners and supporters. Prizes will be given to the first three male and female finishers and the first male and female finisher in various age categories. The first male and female Legacy Leisure Expressions Fitness members home can win a year’s free membership.

A portion of the race proceeds, along with the Cosmeston Relays race (July 13, Cosmeston Country Park) each year goes to two charities nominated by members of Penarth and Dinas Runners.

This year’s charities are The International Glaucoma Association (IGA) and Go Felix.

Penarth and Dinas Runners’ race director Lyn Evans said: “With the continuing growth in local running, entries have been coming in at a record rate and we’re looking forward to putting on another great race for a big field on May 8.

"It’ll be a busy weekend of running in the Vale, with the Legacy Leisure Porthkerry five mt following on from Barry Island parkrun’s first anniversary run on Saturday morning and Ty Hafan’s colourful Rainbow Run on the beach on Saturday afternoon.”

For more information and to enter the race, visit the race website www.penarthanddinasrunners.org.uk/Porthkerry5MT.html.

General entry costs £12, with a £2 discount for Welsh Athletics registered athletes. Expressions Fitness members pay only £9.