THERE was a major relay race that sells out in a matter of weeks hosted at Cosmeston Lakes County Park recently.

The ‘annual celebration of local club running that is the truly unique’, known as the Cosmeston Relays, takes place in the park in July.

This year was as popular as ever, with the event selling out in a matter of weeks.

The event, hosted on the parkrun course at Cosmeston, sees teams of three do a relay race of the 5km course.

As ever, the action was fast and furious, with the top overall team and winners of the Senior Men Category Ginger Ninjas (Les Croupiers RC) delivering a superb time of 45:45, over a minute ahead of the first Bridgend AC team.

Well done to Ciaran Lewis (14:30), Tom Flitcroft (15:23) and Ben Kennedy (15:51).

Ciaran also ran the fastest time of the night.

The Cosmeston Lakes relay recently took placeThe Cosmeston Lakes relay recently took place (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

The race takes place every July  (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

It sells out fast  (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

Three person teams compete (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

On the women's side, the overall win was taken by CDF Runners 10 in a total time of 55:02, two minutes clear of another Bridgend team.

Congratulations went to Gemma Luckett (18:26), Ceri Merwood (18:01) and Rosie Fenton (18:35).

They do the 5km parkrun course at Cosmeston (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

This year was hugely popular (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

Cosmeston County Park hosts parkrun every Saturday (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

Teams enjoying themselves (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

Perhaps not surprisingly, some of the masters' teams were also highly-ranked overall.

Male category age34 to 44 winners were 1981 Roadents A.C who took the third step of the overall podium with an excellent total time of 48:09.

Ben Butler-Madden (16:08), Darren Bishop (16:05) and Symon Murphy (15:56) was their lineup.

In the female age categories, first up were Caerphilly runners, the aptly named Swifties taking the win (on a time of 60:08) in female age 35 to 44 category.

Emma Edwards (19:09), Sian Therese Rees (21:14) and Rachael Baralos (19:44) were the team.

Beautiful scenery (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

The weather held out (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

There were some fast times (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

Backing this up in female category age 45-54 on a time of 62:04 came the aptly named "Like a Fine Wine", comprising of Alison Hobbs (20:27), Sara Williams (21:11) and Joanne Hudson (20:24).

The team who set up the event said they had tremendous support from Brackla Harriers, who picked up three wins on the night, with the Female 55+ Ladies (Brackla E) posting a winning time of 65:03 - Charlotte Johns (21:21), Jane Ogilvie (22:24) and Elaine Wharmby (21:18) putting in superb times.

Alaw crossing the lineAlaw crossing the line (Image: Supplied)

Top Women's team CDF 10Top Women's team CDF 10 (Image: Supplied)

A great day for all (Image: Abyd Quinn Aziz)

A massive thanks was given to the following individuals and groups to help make the event happen.

St John Ambulance for being our medical support team, and promptly assisting at least one finisher in trouble.

Cosmeston Park Rangers for supporting the event and making sure the paths were in a well-maintained state.

Kay Chapman for stepping in at short notice as the Race Adjudicator...very much appreciated.

Ian McDonald for overseeing the timing system from your campervan in the French Alps!

And last but not least, race director Lyn Evans and the entire P&D volunteer team.

Cosmeston Lakes parkrun takes place every Saturday, weather permitting, at Cosmeston lakes County Park at 9am.

See their Facebook for more details how to join and volunteer.