Around 1,700 runners from across the UK descended on Caerphilly on Sunday to take part in the first Caerphilly 10k race.
Despite the wind, and a little rain, crowds lined the streets to cheer the runners on around the one lap course.
The honour of winning Caerphilly’s first race went to 28-year-old Cardiff resident Rob Bugden from the RAF.
The runner, who before the race said he would be happy just to be competitive, crossed the line with a time of 32 minutes and 12 seconds.
Seconds after crossing the finish he said: “It’s a really, really incredibly tough course. There is no easy running. When it’s not hilly, it’s windy and when it’s not windy it’s hilly.”
The race was started by athlete Jamie Baulch and Caerphilly County Borough’s Deputy Mayor David Carter.
Olympic silver medallist Baulch, who attended the race with his son, said it was great to be involved.
He said: “Race director Graham Finlayson asked me a few weeks ago and it’s a great honour to be here.”
He added: “This race is something that a lot of people can get out and do and hopefully the numbers will go up.”
Caerphilly Council leader Harry Andrews said the race added to Caerphilly’s calendar of major events.
He told Caerphilly Observer: “We’ve got the highly successful Big Cheese, the BBC Proms in the Park and the Tour of Britain. Things are on the up and up.”
Among the competitors racing on Sunday was Russell White, 39, of Newbridge.
Mr White is currently in training to take part in the Paralympics in Brazil as a duathlete.
He said: “This is the first time I’ve run a race and that was tough.”
Training Mr White is elite coach Stuart Wadlow, who is employed by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
Mr Wadlow, 36, of Senghenydd, also took part in the race almost five years since he suffered a heart attack and had a stent fitted.
He too described the course as hilly and said he was relieved to have a downhill finish as the race entered Crescent Road.
Caerphilly resident and fitness trainer Richard Rees, 32, said the race had been a huge success.
He said: “It was an amazing set-up and really well-organised.”
The first woman to cross the line was Elysia Ridley running for the Swansea Harriers.
Also among the runners were a host of people running in fancy dress, including the Peter’s Pies mascot and Buzz Lightyear.
