This year saw the largest ever Barry Island 10K descend onto the iconic seaside time for a full Welsh festival of running.
More than 4,700 participants registered to take part across both the 10K and junior races, taking in the town’s most iconic spots including Whitmore Bay, the Knap, Romilly Park and Watch House Bay.
It was an event extravaganza as the race partnered with Welsh music, culture and arts festival Gŵyl Fach y Fro, for the first time this year. It meant performances were scheduled for both the Saturday and Sunday as runners and spectators took in all the sights and delights of the seafront.
A new course record was set in the women’s race by Charlotte Taylor from Bristol & West AC with a time of 33:08. The title was previously held by Natasha Wilson who ran 34:21 last year.
Taylor, who is planning to run some more road 10Ks over the summer and will be targeting the marathon distance later in the year, said: “Today’s been really good, I really enjoyed the run. I’ve been doing some longer races recently, so it was nice to have something a bit faster and blow out over 10K. There were lots of people out cheering, the atmosphere was good. I knew there were some hills, but I felt strong on those, and I really liked the coastal part of the course too.”
Swansea Harriers, Jon Butler, was the winner in the men’s race, claiming the title with a time of 30:23 and in the wheelchair event, local man Ron Price took the crown in 53:37.
Butler said: “It was good I’m really pleased. I ran a good solid time, the quickest I’ve done here in three attempts, and I ran most of it on my own, so I’m happy with it. The race was brilliant; there were crowds everywhere and that makes a really big difference. It was really well supported and that gives you that little bit extra.”
Price, who is from the area and knows the hills of Barry well, added: “The hills are tough – they’re always tough in a racing chair because we’ve got no gearing, but other than that, it was a good event, well organised and the weather stayed on our side. The crowds were good and there was lots of support from the runners along the way too, as I tend to slow down going up the hills and then overtake them on the way down. It was a good event.”
After the 10K race it was then onto the Junior races which included an adorable 50m toddler dash on the promenade, as well as a Future Challengers mile for competitive young athletes and a Family Fun Run to allow all ages and abilities to get involved.
For the second time, Cancer Research Wales took the spot as the event’s lead charity with a team of 125 runners taking on the course to raise money for the charity. The charity also collected discarded clothing left at the start-line to give a new lease of life to in its shops and offered massages to weary runners for a donation at their stand in the event village.
Adam Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Research Wales said: “Congratulations to all our fantastic runners who took part in the Barry Island 10K for Cancer Research Wales – what you’ve done today is incredible. All your training, sweat and blisters have paid off and we are very proud of you and incredibly grateful for your support.
“As the independent Welsh cancer research charity, Cancer Research Wales invests all our research funding here in Wales to bring hope for people affected by cancer. We can only do this because of our incredible supporters – people like you, whose efforts help us to unite Wales against cancer through world-class cancer research. Thank you – you are amazing.”
The event was organised by Run 4 Wales and marked the second race in the 2026 R4W 10K Series, with both the Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K and Kidney Wales CDF 10K next up in the calendar. When combined, all medals in each of these races – including the ABP Newport 10K earlier in the year – create an interlocking set for runners to celebrate their achievement.
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at Run 4 Wales, said: “It was fantastic to be back in my hometown and see the streets awash with runners and spectators for another Barry Island 10K. The crowd support is always spectacular here and it’s been fantastic being able to put on even more for people to enjoy through our new partnership with Gŵyl Fach y Fro.
“The event continues to grow and become more popular each year and our thanks goes out to all of our amazing Extra Milers who gave up their time to help make it a success, as well as to Cancer Research Wales as lead charity partner and our other sponsors Vale of Glamorgan Council, High5, Brecon Carreg, Waterton Motor Group and Coopah, whom without none of this would be possible.”
For people who have been inspired by the event they can now enter the 2027 Barry Island 10K which takes place on Sunday 16 May next year. An early bird offer, giving a £6 saving against general entry, is available for the first 500 people to register.
