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The Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10k course record has been broken once again – with Swansea’s Dewi Griffiths winning the race for the third consecutive year.

Griffiths, who set the previous course record in 2022, completed this year’s event in 29 minutes and 13 seconds on Sunday May 12.

Benjamin Reynolds came second with a time 30 minutes and 57 seconds, with third-place Jonathan Butler achieving a time of 31m 34s.

Speaking after his win on a hot sunny morning, Griffiths told Caerphilly Observer he was “delighted” with his efforts.

“I knew I was in better shape than when I set the course record,” said Griffiths, who praised the atmosphere at the event.

“There’s a local community feel to it and everyone’s quite supportive. Everyone seems to go home with a smile on their face, so it’s the atmosphere that I enjoy here.”

Lauren Cooper, from Pontllanfraith, made it back-to-back wins in the women’s race, with a time of 36m 20s.

Cooper finished ahead of second-place Olivia Tsim (37m 19s) and third-place Laura Jones (41m 0s).

Cooper told Caerphilly Observer: “It’s really nice to defend my title from last year, there was a really strong field going into it.

“It was a hot day and it’s a hard course, but it’s my local one and I know how to run it now. I know to be sensible in the first half, because that hill at 5k, I’ve paid for many a time.

“But I felt really strong all the way through today. I had another gear if I needed it, but it was a decent enough run out there on a hot day.

“It was a lot hotter out there than last year and some of the times reflect that.”

Prior to the 10k, the 2k race was held. Tom Gilbert won with a time of 6m 27s, with Dylan Powell finishing second (6m 51s) and Rory Collins in third (6m 56s).

In total, nearly 1,450 people ran the 10k race, with 745 running the 2k.

Meanwhile, Caerphilly Runners were crowned club winners at the event, while Twyn Primary School in Caerphilly were the school winners – winning a sport voucher worth £100.

“Deeply appreciated”

The race winners were presented with their medals by Caerphilly County Borough’s new mayor, Cllr Julian Simmonds.

Cllr Simmonds praised the “great turnout and great support” – and paid tribute to everyone involved in organising the council-run event.

“Thanks to all involved. I’m extremely grateful as these events take a lot of time and effort, but I want them to know its deeply appreciated.”

Caerphilly County Borough Council leader, Cllr Sean Morgan, said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic day, the crowds are out and the sun is shining, everybody’s out there to enjoy themselves – there was even a guy running bare-foot with an ironing board on his back, so quite an event.”

Cllr Morgan, who ran the race in 52m 46s, continued: “This really showcases Caerphilly. The run takes you past the castle on both sides, and it shows people what we’ve got here in Caerphilly. It’s a beautiful place, it’s a beautiful borough. This event really showcases it.”

“A great success”

Jared Lougher, the council’s sport and leisure development manager, hailed this year’s event a “great success”.

He said: “We started this event in 2013 and have tried to grow it every year.

“We’ve had more runners for the 10k than we’ve had the last three years, which is fantastic, and we sold out the 2k.”

Mr Lougher praised the “massive team effort” that went into organising the races and added: “Seeing the medals, and seeing the smiles on faces, it’s why I do my job – and hopefully we can continue going forward.”

However, he urged more people to “vote with your feet” to ensure the event can continue to go ahead each year.

Mr Lougher said: “We do need more for the 10k. If this event is going to be sustainable, and we don’t have to subsidise it, we’re going to need more people to sign up, so there is a plea in there unfortunately.

“We need to get over the 2,000 mark to make this event sustainable. If you don’t want to lose it please vote with your feet and sign up – because that’s what we’re going to need going forward, certainly over the next two years.”

“Going to make a real difference”

Caerphilly-based homelessness and domestic abuse charity Llamau was the headline charity for this year’s 10k – with £500 raised to support its work.

Mike Houghton, Llamau’s head of fundraising, said: “The £500 is going to make a real difference to people who are facing homelessness.

“That could pay for over ten hours of counselling for people who need support, and as anyone who’s had counselling knows, that can change your life.

“It could also fund a week’s worth of 24-hour fully supported lodgings in one of our homes here in Caerphilly, making sure someone’s got a safe space they can call their own for a full week with full adult support being there at all times.

“It does mean the world to us to be partnered with Bryn Meadows and the Caerphilly 10k.”

More photos from the event will follow on Caerphilly.observer

Send us your photos from the 2k and 10k races by emailing news@caerphilly.observer, or by messaging us on our Facebook page.