DOZENS of runners from Gwent took part in Sunday's Cardiff Half Marathon to raise funds for charity.

Former Welsh Guard, Gareth Barrington, from Rogerstone, completed his 13th half marathon with a 50lb rucksack strapped to his back.

Mr Barrington, 40, raised £700 for the children's hospice of Wales, Ty Hafan, and hopes people will continue donating this week.

"It went well, my time was 2 hours 38 minutes," said Mr Barrington, who is also a member of Lliswerry Running Club and boxing coach at Newport Sporting Club.

"It was a tough one today. It's the last time I'll be doing it with the weights on the back I think, I've done it three years on the bounce with the weights.

The weather was not a problem, he said, but the volume of runners made it more difficult.

Father and daughter team Brian Amos, 51, and Lauren Amos, 24, completed the 13.1 miles in 2 hours 32 minutes despite having no previous marathon experience and only starting their training in May.

The pair ran for the Ieuan the Lion Memorial Fund, which supports families with a terminally-ill child by giving them a free holiday to Klin Park in Tenby.

Tracey Amos, Brian’s wife and mum to Lauren, said their achievement was "fantastic".

"Lauren had a bad stitch towards the end and was in absolute agony but they managed to get through it," said Mrs Amos, 52, who herself has raised thousands of charity.

"We've had cake to celebrate. We reached the target and raised £1,047, so we're over the moon.

One person who had an extra challenging run was motorcyclist Neil Davies, 55, from Caldicot, who has gone through a long battle to recover from a road accident which left him hospitalised and with his leg broken in four places last June.

Despite being in a wheelchair for three months last year and on crutches until last October, the ex-serviceman, who previously completed two full marathons, is on target to raise £500 for the Help Imogen Walk appeal.

He was inspired to raise funds for the two-year-old, who uses a zimmerframe and needs an operation to help her walk, after meeting her and her mum in the bank.

"It went pretty well, 2 hours 24 minutes and one second," said Mr Davies of the race. "The atmosphere was absolutely brilliant."

Visit www.justgiving.com/Gareth-Barrington, www.justgiving.com/BrianandLaurenAmos or www.justgiving.com/Neil-Davies12 to contribute to any of their totals.