The Barry Island parkrun began on May 2, 2015, and in the last 11 years, 14,825 participants have completed 72,781 parkruns, covering a total distance of 363,905 km.
These figures are made even more impressive by the fact that 9,947 personal bests have been completed on the course.
This weekend’s event was not just a big weekend for the parkrun itself, but also for the participants. There were 16 first-timers taking part, and 43 runners achieved personal bests during the 500th event.
Parkrun events have grown since their inception in 2004, when 13 runners got together in London to complete the first event. It has now grown into a worldwide community that has millions of participants registered, with 6,651 people registered to parkrun with Barry Island parkrun listed as their home event.
Parkrun is all about finishing together rather than finishing first, with everybody that crosses the line cheered on and celebrated on a Saturday morning.
It has become a weekly tradition for so many across Barry, offering up a support network and community where all are welcome.
Barry Island parkrun has welcomed many familiar faces, with this anniversary event seeing BBC Weather duo Derek Brockway and Sue Charles acting as the official starters.
In a post on social media, Barry Island parkrun said: “The biggest shout out has to go to the volunteers who made it possible and helped the day go so well. From blowing up balloons to sorting the tokens, you are all amazing.
“Thanks also to BBC Weather duo Derek Brockway and Sue Charles for supporting us and being our official starters and thank you also every one of you that’s volunteered, run, walked jogged or just turned up to cheer.
“We’ve made it to 500 events because of you; you are all superstars!
“Last but very much not least, thank you to Dame Kelly Holmes Official for gifting us all our new equipment we used for the first time yesterday.
“Please come and join us next week as we make our way towards event number 1000.”
Barry Island parkrun takes place every Saturday morning at 9am, with the event beginning under the Eastern Shelter.
