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Women’s Long-Distance Running Legend Kathrine Switzer Recognised by Admiral Swansea Bay 10k Organisers for Her Running and Social Activism for Women’s Sports

Switzer’s Messages to “Have Courage” and “Be Fearless” Resonate with Runners

– Long-distance running legend and women’s sports activist Kathrine Switzer will be recognised for her pioneering efforts in running and her career-long contributions to sport through her work as an advocate for women’s sports and healthy living when the Admiral Swansea Bay 10K race is staged on September 16.

Admiral Swansea Bay 10K will honour Switzer when 5,000 runners participate in what has become the best race in Wales. With the beautiful backdrop of Swansea Bay, runners of all levels and experience will compete at the 10K distance while junior races will be staged at Junior 1K, 3K and 5K to help introduce young runners, both male and female, to the sport. Swansea Bay also stages a 10K wheelchair race.

Switzer’s famous quote, “All you need is the courage to believe in yourself and put one foot in front of the other,” will be emblazoned on every race t-shirt, provided to the runners who register for the road race.

“I was eager for members of my team to run in Swansea, to get an idea of the 10k and of the community in Wales,” said Switzer. “I’d love to run the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k myself in future. The event continually grows in stature and I hope that thousands will line the route to cheer on the participants.

“This year I’ve been inspired by the activity around the 100^th anniversary of the women’s right to vote in the UK and I do all I can to promote the importance of women’s participation, health and empowerment.”

“Kathrine Switzer and 261 Fearless have inspired millions around the world and I’m thrilled that they have agreed to allow us to use Kathrine’s quote on our event T-shirts,” said Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Innovation, Regeneration and Tourism. “It is certain to inspire the 5,000 runners expected to take part.”

The main race starts outside the St Helen’s Ground at 1pm and heads west along Mumbles Road to Oystermouth Car Park where the runners turn and head back along the promenade towards the starting point.

All places for each race other than the mascots are now taken, so people won’t be able to sign-up to take part on the day. Spectators are welcome from 10am, with junior races taking place from 10.45am-noon.

Road closures will be in place and diversion routes will be available wherever possible. For more information visit enjoyswanseabay.com/residents.

 

About Kathrine Switzer:

An Iconic athlete, author, and advocate for sports and social causes, Switzer was the first woman to officially enter and then run the Boston Marathon. Switzer has been honoured for her achievements, such as running both the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon in the same year as her 70^th birthday and for running the Boston Marathon on the 50^th anniversary of her historic run in 1967. Switzer was inducted to the USA National Women’s Hall of Fame where she was recognized for creating positive social change throughout her storied career. The ramifications of this work is both joyful and profound, changing forever the face of sports, health, and opportunities for women around the world and fearlessly empowering millions of female runners beyond the finish line. For more information please visit her online at www.kathrineswitzer.com or at her non-profit at www.261fearless.org

HUNDREDS of junior runners are getting set for this year’s award-winning Admiral Swansea Bay 10k.

The starting gun has fired for entries for the hugely-popular junior races which feature different distances to the main adult’s event.

Youngsters putting their name forward by the end of August will receive a race t-shirt on top of the medal, certificate and goodie bag they get when they cross the finishing line.

Hundreds of people have already signed up for the main race and the junior event will challenge youngsters at the 1k, 3k or 5k distance depending on their age group.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Innovation, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is one of the jewels in the city’s annual events crown and the crowds of young people who participate or just pop down to watch increases year on year.

“The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k was voted the Best 10k in Wales in the 2018 Running Awards – we’re proud of the title because it’s a poll of runners themselves so it says something about just how good the event is.

“The award proves it’s a hugely-popular event and whether you’re a junior or an adult runner, there’s still plenty of time to get some practice in before the big day on September 16.”

More than 4,500 people took part in last year’s race. As well as the main 10k race, there were also 1k, 3k and 5k junior fun runs, along with a 10k wheelchair race and a 100-metre dash for mascots.

Electronic time recording means that competitors will find out quickly and easily whether their efforts were a personal best on a running-friendly course with some of the finest views anywhere in the country.

Junior race entries are now open with 1k races for those aged 11 years and under, 3k for ages 9-14 and 5k for ages15-21. Early bird entry is £6.50 but hurry to enter as the price will increase on 1 July.

Entries for the main race opened just after last year’s event finished and the early-bird entry fee is £22 for affiliated runners and £24 for the non-affiliated. The early-bird offer for the main race ends on June 11.

Whether it’s the  junior races or the main 10k you’re interested in, the deadline for entries is August 31, or when maximum capacity is reached if sooner – maximum capacity has been reached prior to the closing date in recent years so enter early to avoid disappointment.

For more information and to enter visit swanseabay10k.com

At the UK-wide Running Awards 2017 on Thursday evening (April 20), the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k won the silver award for best 10k in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event, organised by Swansea Council and returning this year on Sunday September 24, was first introduced in 1981.

At the awards evening, the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k junior races also won the gold award for the UK’s best child-friendly event.

The JCP Swansea Half Marathon won the gold award for Best Half Marathon for more than 5,000 competitors.

Frances Jenkins, Swansea Council’s Strategic Manager for Culture, Tourism, Marketing and Events, said: “Winning these awards against prestigious competition from across the UK at a ceremony of this magnitude speaks volumes for the quality of the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k, so we’re delighted to add these to our growing list of awards and accolades.

“Alongside our sponsors and volunteers, we constantly strive to maintain the event’s popularity and profile, regularly attracting elite athletes from across the world, as well as many thousands of local runners.

“The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k has a terrific community feel, which means it’s perfect for charity fundraisers, along with runners looking to beat their personal bests or conquer their fitness challenges on one of the most spectacular courses in the UK.

“With such a scenic coastline and Gower on our doorstep, running is part of the Swansea culture that we’re looking to celebrate and embrace as we bid for UK City of Culture 2021 status. We’re also delighted that the JCP Half Marathon won the Gold award in its category.”

One thing that struck me on this weekend run was how impeccable some people can look when they are running. Now I like to look a little bit coordinated and I do possess a tidy pair of trainers, shorts and T, but the fashion stakes were raised a few notches on Swansea Prom this weekend.

The brightly coloured orange, lime green and blue specialist running  trainers, those that cost 3 figures, were being donned by most of, what I would call, the elite runners – those who do the 10K in sub 40 minutes.

[Read more…] about Orange trainers and polar necks – the fashion stakes are rising