RUNNERS from across Gwent joined thousands to take part in the Cardiff Half-Marathon today.

Around 22,000 runners took part in the annual race, including Newbridge mother-of-two Jemma Reardon, 32, who was running in aid of a Newport charity and counselling centre.

Mrs Reardon, 32, says the Beresford Centre helped her family immeasurably when she lost her unborn daughter to a rare birth defect in 2013.

Her unborn baby – named Halleah –had developed anencephaly, a condition where during embryonic development part of the brain, skull and scalp do not form and a disorder that affects one in 10,000 births.

She has so far raised £450 for the centre and finished her first half-marathon with a time of two hours and 15 minutes. She said it was an enjoyable but emotional day.

"I thought about the centre running the 13 miles which inspired me and how they helped me through such a difficult time - that's what kept me going," she added. "As I crossed the finish line it was worth it.

"It's something good that has come from something terrible."

She also said: "They do such a fantastic job - they don't get paid to do it. It's to help them to help others."

Argus digital editor Martin Wade ran this year's half-marathon with a backpack weighing 35lbs and completed the run in one hour and 52 minutes. The RAF Reservist and member of 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron ran in aid of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund (RAFBF) who provides welfare breaks for families and veterans.

Other Argus staff members to take part included planning supervisor Alan Leach, 49, along with colleagues Dennis Cole and Kay Dixon.

Mr Leach was running on behalf of Newport baby Ava-Grace Williams, who was born, as the Argus previously reported, with Down's Syndrome and a congenital heart disease is waiting to have life-changing surgery.

He has raised £420 after just a week of fundraising. The trio ran it in two hours and 3 minutes.

Mr Leach said: "As it was Dennis' first half-marathon Kay and I went at a slower pace as we were looking after him. I really enjoyed it - we were high fiving people as we were going past, bands were playing, everyone was laughing and joking - it was a brilliant atmosphere."

To donate to the Ava-Grace fundraising effort visit:  justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ava-grace

Mrs Reardon's page can be found at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jemma-reardon

Martin Wade's page can be found here: www.justgiving.com/614-squadron