SCORES of Admiral Group staff are putting their best feet forward for this year’s Admiral Swansea Bay 10k.

With the Sunday September 16 event now fast-approaching, over 250 staff from Admiral Group are busy making their final preparations before taking part.

They’ll be among thousands racing in the main event, with 1k, 3k and 5k races for juniors also taking place on the day.

Other fun includes a 100-metre mascot dash outside St Helen’s that starts about 10 minutes after the main race.

Ceri Assiratti, head of People Services at Admiral Group, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k race and fun runs for the 12th year in a row. Supporting events in our local community is very much part of the culture of Admiral, so it’s great to be involved in an event like this that grows in popularity year on year.

“The number of our employees who have entered the 2018 race really highlights its importance to our staff and the local area. I’d like to take this opportunity, on behalf of everyone at Admiral, to wish all the runners the very best of luck.”

This year will be the eighth year Steven Williams-Jones from Admiral’s Claims department has taken part, first running in 2007 and almost every year since.

Steven suffers from a long-term health condition and running helps keeps him fit and focussed.

He said, “It’s a great course to run – not too busy, flat and the scenery is beautiful. There’s a fantastic atmosphere, it doesn’t feel too competitive and everyone seems to be having a great time. The support from spectators and residents along the way is amazing too and that really helps with motivation.”

Steven is running this year with colleague Jo Griffiths also from the Claims department.

It’s the fifth time Jo’s taken part and for her, it’s about having a personal challenge. She said, “I really enjoy the atmosphere, and everyone is so supportive of each other, no matter your ability.

“It’s a great family event and it helps the route is nice too – no big hills!” Jo’s children have also competed over the years and her youngest is taking part in the 1k race this year.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Innovation, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Admiral Group have been the sponsor of the annual Swansea Bay 10k for many years, helping the event continually grow in stature and profile.

“I’d encourage as many people as possible to line the route to give all participants the support they so thoroughly deserve, whether they’re top class athletes or fun runners raising money for charity.”

Spectators are welcome from 10am – Junior Races will take place between 10.45am-12noon and the main 10k race will start at 1pm.

 

THOUSANDS of race packs will start being sent out to Admiral Swansea Bay 10k runners from next week.

The race packs include a race day guide, personalised race number with electronic time-recording chip on the back and details on how to collect the 2018 tech t-shirt.

Entries for the annual race, which takes place on Sunday September 16, close on Friday August 31.

Swansea Council is behind the event, which is being sponsored by Admiral for the twelfth consecutive year. As well as the 10k, there are also 1k, 3k and 5k junior fun runs, along with a 10k wheelchair race.

About 5000 people are expected to take part again this year.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Innovation, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “With a backdrop of so much beautiful scenery, it’s no surprise running is part of the rich culture of our city.

“Earlier this year the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k was named the best 10k race in Wales in the 2018 Running Awards and it’s also been nominated in the 2019 Running Awards as well.”

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “An exceptionally popular feature of Swansea’s annual events calendar, the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is a terrific race for elite athletes, charity fundraisers and people looking to tackle their personal bests or conquer personal fitness goals.

“Set against the iconic sweep of Swansea Bay on a flat course, this award-winning event also includes junior races for children, which give a great introduction to road-running.

“With entries closing at the end of August, I’d urge anyone interested to enter this year’s event as soon as possible to avoid disappointment because the race always reaches capacity, often before the closing date.

“People who take part are overwhelmingly positive about the experience because of the quality of the race’s organisation and management, and the support they receive from hundreds of people lining the route.”

A mascot race is also taking place on the day of this year’s 10k, so entries are invited from groups, organisations and companies looking to win the £100 on offer for the winning mascot.

Entry details:

• 10k: £23 affiliated / £25 non-affiliated. All entrants will receive a tech t-shirt. All finishers will receive a medal and goody bag.
• Junior Races: £7. All entrants will receive a tech t-shirt. All finishers will receive a medal, certificate and goody bag.
• All details and links to enter races online can be found at swanseabay10k.com
• To vote for the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k in the 2019 Running Awards go to therunningawards.com

The annual race, which was held this year on Sunday September 24, came first in the Welsh heats for the prestigious UK Running Awards.

Online voting has now re-opened and allows those who have already voted a second opportunity to vote again, with the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k among the final 12 races in the running for the UK-wide title.

Swansea Council is behind the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k, which is part of the year-long Enjoy Swansea programme of events and activities.

Head to the 10k voting area of www.therunningawards.co.uk to vote for the Admiral Swansea Bay, which is up against races including the Whitchurch 10k, the Berkshire 10k and the Doncaster 10k on the final shortlist.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, said: “The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k has been a major success story since being first introduced in 1981, attracting many thousands of people to take part every year.

“Catering for elite athletes, amateur runners, charity fundraisers and many others, the event, set against the glorious backdrop of Swansea Bay, is one of many that re-enforce Swansea’s status as a leading city of sport.

“The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k has been on the shortlist for this major UK-wide accolade twice before, but it’s never won. You can help change that by voting for the event as soon as possible, to help give the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k the recognition it so thoroughly deserves.”

At the 2016 and 2017 UK Running Awards, the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k came second in the best 10k category.

Voting for next year’s awards closes on March 15, with the awards ceremony being held on April 19.

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