RUNNING conditions were “perfect” today as 700 people turned out to run the Lliswerry eight mile road race.

Mayor of Newport, cllr Matthew Evans opened the race, which first started in 1985 and winds through the villages of Goldcliff and Nash on the edge of Newport.

The Micky Morris Racing Team, based in Cwmbran, came first in the men’s category while the Lliswerry Runners team won first place in the women’s.

Chris Davies, the chairman of Lliswerry Runners who organises the annual race, said it was “absolutely brilliant”.

Despite being involved with the club for 27 years, yesterday’s race was the first time Mr Davies was able to actually run the Lliswerry 8.

He said: “I’ve never run it before, normally I’m a time keeper or helping to organise the race.

“It was a really good running day. The weather was relatively still, it was cool and the rain hadn’t started then. And I couldn’t believe that there was so much support out there.”

The Lliswerry 8, called the “flattest on the planet”, is run by both newbie runners keen for their first road race, as well as more experienced runners.

Last year’s race saw a record number of entrants at 700, and places for the 2015 race sold out in record time with all tickets gone by November.

It was also the first year runner Chris Matthews took up his role as race director. Mr Davies said: “He did an absolutely fantastic job.”