RUNNERS are being invited to get their entries in for an 80’s themed 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k.

Following the most recent announcement from Welsh Government regarding outdoor events, Swansea Council is delighted to be able to continue to plan for this year’s Admiral Swansea Bay 10k on Sunday 19 September.

Like all other running events in Wales, last year’s event was postponed as a result of the Covid pandemic. This year’s event is a really special one as it will mark the 40th race for this highly popular race, offering a flat and superbly scenic course.

Since its inception in 1981, the event has consistently won numerous awards and Swansea Council is making plans to celebrate this special anniversary.

This year’s event will be all about celebrating the 40th race and the unforgettable decade that was the 1980’s – think leg warmers, sweatbands, big hair and big colours!

If you’re looking to get back into road running, or you and some friends are going to run wearing some retro fancy dress, join in the fun and enter online today. And don’t forget to fire up the 80’s power ballads as the soundtrack to your training!

Whether it’s your 1st Swansea Bay 10k or your 40th, we can’t wait to see you on the start line.

Enter online

Note: Those who booked places for the 2020 event were automatically guaranteed places for this year’s celebratory event.

Enter with confidence

The Council’s Events Team continue to closely monitor the pandemic situation. The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k will take place in compliance with the relevant regulations and guidance from Welsh Government, Public Health Wales and UK Athletics applicable at the time. Plans are being developed and reviewed as new information and guidance is released and this might well involve changes and additional measures to ensure the event is safe for everyone involved including the wider local community.

All relevant stakeholders, officials, volunteers and event suppliers (i.e. everyone involved), are committed to delivering a safe and Covid secure event in line with the relevant regulations at the time. We hope that you’ll join us in making it a safe & successful event.

Swansea Council initiated the run in 1981 and has continued to organise it ever since – ensuring that it is firmly embedded in Swansea’s annual event programme. It will also be the 15th occasion that Admiral has sponsored the event, which as well as the 10k, offers 1k and 3k junior fun runs, along with a 10k wheelchair race and a mascot race.

Robert Francis-Davies, the Council’s cabinet member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is a fantastic event for elite athletes, charity fundraisers and those looking to tackle their personal bests or conquer fitness goals.

“Set against the terrific backdrop of Swansea Bay on a flat course, the event is a landmark in the running calendar and attracts participants from all over the UK. It’s an exceptionally popular feature within Swansea’s annual events calendar.

“Given that so many races have been cancelled over the past year and a half, and it is our 40th event, we’re anticipating that demand for places will be high. We’d therefore encourage anyone interested to enter as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment – once the race places have gone, they’ve gone!”

Rhian Langham, Admiral’s Head of People Services, said: “We’re delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k race and fun runs for the 15th year. Supporting events in our local community is very much part of our culture at Admiral, so it’s great to be involved in an event like this, especially after a challenging year.

“I’d like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone at Admiral, to wish all the runners the very best of luck.”

Due to the ongoing situation, we’re disappointed to have to announce that the 2020 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k, which was also set to celebrate the 40^th race, has been postponed until 19 September 2021.

The Council’s Events Team has been closely monitoring the pandemic situation and guidance issued by the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales.

It has become clear that although restrictions are gradually being relaxed, there is no indication that mass gatherings of this nature will be able to return in time to be able to safely stage the event this September.

Going ahead this year would have risked the spread of the virus and placed unnecessary additional strain on emergency services, volunteers and those providing medical support. The safety of our participants, staff, volunteers, partners, spectators and emergency services is paramount.

What do I do now? 

For next year’s event there is free automatic transfer to the 2021 40th anniversary event. Runners with 2020 places don’t have to do anything as their details will transfer across and they will be kept updated on the 2021 celebratory event as plans develop.

Those who can’t make the new date can transfer their entry to another runner free of charge via the Real Buzz members hub up to Sunday 20 September this year. A number of options are available to you – check out our FAQs below for all your entry questions and for more information.

Further entries for next year’s event are expected to open over the coming weeks.

Entry FAQs

Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We know that runners and supporters will be disappointed – we are too, but we know they’ll also fully understand that it’s the right decision in light of the current situation.

“The most important course of action now is to do all we can to ensure participants and the public are as safe as possible and reduce the pressure on our emergency services.

The council is behind the 10k which – next year- will be sponsored by Admiral for the 15^th consecutive occasion. As well as the 10k, there are 1k and 3k junior fun runs, along with a 10k wheelchair race.

Ceri Assiratti, Head of People Services at Admiral said: “The health and wellbeing of our staff is important to us, therefore we support the council’s decision. We are proud to have sponsored the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k since 2006, our staff enjoy taking part year on year and look forward to taking part in 2021.”

As a responsible tourism destination, Swansea is keen to support the safety of both residents living in the city and tourists visiting the area.

Please refer to the official links below to find out the most up to date guidance and information available relating to COVID-19. We will update this page regularly with the latest advice and information from UK Government.

If you have concerns over your own health, or any questions about the Coronavirus or it’s symptoms, take a look at the Public Health Wales website for the latest advice and guidance.

The latest information from Swansea Council can be found here.

Regular updates from the UK Government can be found here.

Runners were going for gold at this year’s Admiral Swansea Bay 10k. The event fully embraced the anniversary celebrations and gold was the predominant colour scheme for this year’s race with special commemorative race shirts and medals.

Mark Kennedy and Gayle Hughes from Bishopston were the lucky winners of our Swansea50 Golden Tickets draw.

As well as winning free entry to the race, Mark and Gayle also sported our special 1969 and 2019 numbered race bibs to commemorate the dates of the city’s 50th anniversary.

They joined thousands of runners for what is one of the top events of its kind in the UK, attracting fans and competitors from across the UK. The event was voted Best 10k in Wales in the 2019 Running Awards.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “It was great to see our city host so many running enthusiasts at the weekend; another special way for Swansea to celebrate its first 50 years of city status.

“The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k has been recognised as one of the most runner-friendly courses with some of the most spectacular views anywhere in the UK – it’s is a celebration of our sporting culture.

“As well as the adult 10K race, the event hosts a junior 1K and 3K race and it is fantastic to see some young fun runners taking part in physical activity as well as identifying more competitive young runners of the future.”

Taking home the gold medals this year were Kieran Clements of north London’s Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers in the main 10k race.

Natasha Cockram, of the Micky Morris Racing Team was the first Welsh female 10k winner since the early 1980s.

Wheelchair race winner for the fourth year in a row was Richie Powell, of Disability Sport Wales.