Important information about the 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k
*this page will be regularly updated before race day*
We’re almost at the start line, runners!
The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k team are looking forward to welcoming you back to the course on 19th September, especially as it’s our 40th year. Whilst we hope you’re as excited as we are to be back running on our stunning course, Covid19 means that the 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k race day will look slightly different to previous years.
A comprehensive Covid 19 plan and assessment has been developed, meaning that you’ll still be able to enjoy our usual amazing race day experience but with some additional changes and measures to ensure the event is safe for everyone involved, including the wider local community.
Plans include;
- Lower number of entrants, in order to give everyone more space when out on the course
- Reducing the number of areas on the route where runners will be bunched together
- A staggered start process via St Helens and larger start area, allowing more space and time between runners. This will help to spread runners out across the course from start to finish line
- Allow social distancing at all times
- Reduce the number of touch points on the day
- Encourage supporters to spread out along the whole 10k route, giving more space to everyone
- Increased cleaning of onsite facilities
- Encouraging all runners and spectators to take an LFT test before they arrive on race day
There are a few key changes for this year’s race – please read the following sections carefully ahead of race day;
General race changes
- There are 2 information marquees this year; on the Recreation Ground near St. Helen’s, and an information point in the post-finish area.
- There is NO water point at the 5km mark this year. Please carry water with you on the run.
- Please note: there will be no shuttle buses to the start lines this year – factor this into your travel plans.
- Unfortunately there will be no baggage storage for this year.
Starting the 10k Race
One of the most important changes to be aware of for this year’s race involves the starting process. The 10k race start time is 11am.
- The 2021 10k race will start via St Helen’s Rugby and Cricket Ground, with a staggered start process and larger start area to allow more time and space between runners. This will effectively spread runners out from the start area right through to the finish.
- Please make your way to St Helens where you will be able to access the ground from the West (what3words location – mute.slows.trials) and the East (what3words location – caller.rocky.output).
- Runners will be called forward and organised into waves based on predicted finish times (submitted during the online entry process), meaning you will be heading out onto the course with runners of a similar ability and targeted finishing time.
- Participants should assemble for the race at St. Helen’s no less than 10 minutes prior to the race start.
During the race
Once you have started the 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k, you’ll be running the same stunning course we all know. Keep an eye out for our cheer points, walkabout characters, and more on the route. There is one key difference to this years course;
- There is NO water point at the 5km mark this year. Please factor this in to your race plans
Finishing the race
- Upon finishing the race, you will receive water and your 2021 finishers Admiral Swansea Bay 10k medal. This year you will be getting a virtual goody bag – please keep a close eye on your emails post-race.
Junior Races
Our Junior races also have some changes for this year;
- All Junior races (both 1k and 3k) will start at Sketty Lane Car Park, at the usual times (1km 7yrs and under 9.15am, 1km 8yrs – 11yrs 9.30am, 3km 10am).
- Please note: there will be no shuttle buses to the start lines this year – factor this into your travel plans.
- The finish line for all junior races remains the same as previous years (the 10k race finish line, near the Cenotaph on the prom).
The 3k race course is also slightly different this year;
- The race starts at Sketty Lane Car Park
- Runners will run up the Prom to Brynmill Lane, at which point they will join the (closed) road and run towards the City Centre before turning around and running back down to Sketty Lane Car Park
- At the Car Park they will rejoin the Prom, and follow it up to the finish line (the same finish line for all races, near the Cenotaph).
Look after yourself, and those around you
We are encouraging runners and spectators to take an LFT test before they arrive on the day. LFTs and vaccinations are not mandatory for this event.
How to get a Lateral Flow Test
- You can order lateral flow tests here
- Find your local collection point here
- Find a local pharmacy collection point here
It is essential you do not come to the race if:
- You have tested positive for COVID-19
- You are self-isolating.
- You are showing any of the classic covid symptoms:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest, or
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Spectators
As part of the plans, the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is asking for the local community, families and friends to please act responsibly if spectating and supporting this year.
To help maintain social distancing for all on race day, supporters are being asked to avoid the start and finish line (usually the most popular areas), and instead spread out along the length of the course. This will not only help to ensure everyone has space to socially distance, but also provide continued support for the runners all along the route.
For our 40th race, we will also have 4 Cheer Points along the route! These points will home music, cheerleading and more to help our runners home! You can find the Cheer Points at
- Bottom of Brynmill Lane
- Bottom of Sketty Lane
- Blackpill Lido
- Norton
Our Cheer Points are sponsored by Sancta Maria
Travel, parking and road closures
Head over to our Travel and Parking section for full information on where to park, how to get here and what road closures will be in place on the day
Course Map
View our interactive course map online, or you can click here for a downloadable version.
This page will regularly be updated and will have everything you need to know ahead of race day, ensuring a fun, relaxed and safe experience.
We understand you may have questions and concerns about this years race, so we’ve pulled together some dedicated FAQs for the 2021 race below. And don’t forget to check out our Race Guide for all your usual race information including general FAQs, travel information and more. Still got a question that’s not covered? Drop the team a line via swanseabay10k@swansea.gov.uk.
Yes, the 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is going ahead as planned on Sunday 19th September 2021 adhering with the latest Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and Welsh Athletics guidelines.
The 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k route will be the same stunning course as usual. However, the start process will be different this year, with a larger start area to allow more time and space between runners. This will effectively spread runners out from the start area right through to the finish.
View our interactive course map online, or you can click here for a downloadable version.
One of the most important changes to be aware of for this year’s race involves the starting process. The 10k race start time will be 11am.
- The 2021 10k race will start via St Helen’s Rugby and Cricket Ground, with a staggered start process and larger start area to allow more time and space between runners. This will effectively spread runners out from the start area right through to the finish.
- Please make your way to St Helens where you will be able to access the ground from the West (what3words location – mute.slows.trials) and the East (what3words location – caller.rocky.output).
- Runners will be called forward and organised into waves based on predicted finish times (submitted during the online entry process), meaning you will be heading out onto the course with runners of a similar ability and targeted finishing time.
- Participants should assemble for the race at St. Helen’s no less than 10 minutes prior to the race start.
Our Junior 1k and 3k races will also be taking place as planned on Sunday 19th September.
All Junior races (both 1k and 3k) will start at Sketty Lane Car Park, at the usual times;
- 1km (7yrs and under) 9.15am
- 1km (8yrs – 11yrs) 9.30am
- 3km 10am
Please note: there will be no shuttle buses to the start lines this year – factor this into your travel plans.
The 3k race course is also slightly different this year
- The race starts at Sketty Lane Car Park
- runners will run up the Prom to Brynmill Lane, at which point they will join the (closed) road and run towards the City Centre before turning around and running back down to Sketty Lane Car Park
- At the Car Park they will rejoin the Prom, and follow it up to the finish line (the same finish line for all races, near the cenotaph)
We are encouraging runners and spectators to take an LFT test before they arrive on the day. LFTs and vaccinations are not madatory for this event.
How to get a Lateral Flow Test
- You can order lateral flow tests here
- Find your local collection point here
- Find a local pharmacy collection point here
It is essential you do not come to the race if:
- You have tested positive.
- You are self-isolating.
- You are showing any of the classic covid symptoms:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest, or
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours, or
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Don’t worry, you’ll still get your 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k medal and t-shirt!
T-shirt collection will be from a marquee on the Recreation Ground. Shirts will be available for collection on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th, and you’ll need your shirt voucher from your Race pack. T-shirt collection will also be available on race day, but we encourage everyone to collect on Friday and Saturday where possible. Collection times are;
- Friday 17th September: 12pm - 8pm
- Saturday 18th September: 9am - 6pm
We anticipate nearly 4000 runners will be running in all 4 races on the day. This is less than previous races, as we reduce numbers to increase available space on the course.
There are 2 information marquees this year;
- A t-shirt collection and information marquee on the Recreation Ground near St. Helen's
- An information point in the post-finish area
Yes – Race packs will be posted out as usual towards the end of the week commencing 6th September & they’ll contain your race bib, shirt voucher (to redeem when collecting your 10k t-shirt) and information about race day.
Runners can expect to start receiving their race packs week commencing 13th September, so keep and eye on your post box!
As part of our Covid 19 mitigation there are no pacers this year (in order to ensure runners are not grouping together as much as possible). Runners will be coordinated at the start using the anticipated finishing times selected when entering the race online. This means that you’ll be running with runners who have chosen the same finishing time as yourself.
To help maintain social distancing for all on race day, supporters are being asked to avoid the start and finish line (usually the most popular areas), and instead spread out along the length of the course. This will not only help to ensure everyone has space to socially distance, but also provide continued support for the runners all along the route.
For our 40th race, we will also have 4 Cheer Points along the route! These points will home music, cheerleading and more to help our runners home! You can find the Cheer Points at
- Bottom of Brynmill Lane
- Bottom of Sketty Lane
- Blackpill Lido
- Norton
Our Cheer Points are sponsored by Sancta Maria
A comprehensive C19 plan and assessment has been developed, in conjunction with Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and Welsh Athletics, to mitigate Covid 19 at the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k.
Plans include;
- Lower number of entrants, in order to give everyone more space when out on the course
- Reducing the number of areas on the route where runners will be bunched together
- A longer start process and larger start area, allowing more space and time between runners. This will help to spread runners out across the course from start to finish line
- Allow social distancing at all times
- Reduce the number of touch points on the day
- Encourage supporters to spread out along the whole 10k route, giving more space to everyone
- Increased cleaning of onsite facilities
- Encouraging all runners and spectators to take an LFT test before they arrive on race day
Unfortunately there will be no baggage storage for this year. As part of our Covid 19 mitigation we are not providing a baggage service and encourage runners to arrive race ready.
Unfortunately as per our Terms and Conditions we do not offer refunds or deferments and the deadline for transfers was Saturday 31st July.
Unfortunately as per our Terms and Conditions we do not offer refunds or deferments and the deadline for transfers was Saturday 31st July.
There will only be one water station on this years’ Admiral Swansea Bay 10k which will be at the finish. There will NOT be water available at the 5km mark as per recent years. Please factor this in to your race day preparations.
There will be trophies for the category winners but there will not be a public trophy presentation.
If you entered the 2020 event then your entry would have been automatically transferred to the 2021 event.
Unfortunately there will be no mascot race during the 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k.
This year you will be getting a virtual goody bag – please keep a close eye on your email inbox post-race.
The main 10k race will start from St. Helen’s Rugby Ground at 11am and will follow Mumbles Road west to Oystermouth Square where it will turn and return along the foreshore promenade.
Road closures and diversions will be implemented from:
09.30am until 1.30pm
- Mumbles Road closed between Guildhall Road South and Sketty Lane.
- Brynmill Lane closed between Mumbles Road and Bryn Road, except for access southbound to the Recreation Ground off Brynmill Lane for parking (subject to availability on the day).
10.30am until 1.30pm
- Sketty Lane right turn only onto Mumbles Road.
- Sketty Lane closed southbound. Access to Singleton Hospital and the Wales National Pool maintained.
- Mumbles Road closed in Mumbles direction only between Sketty Lane and Mayals Road. Left turn only (towards the city centre) from Ashleigh Road, Derwen Fawr Road, Mill Lane and Mayals Road.
- Mumbles Road closed between Mayals Road and Fairwood Road.
- Mumbles Road closed in Mumbles direction only between Fairwood Road and Newton Road. Left turn only towards the city centre from Alderwood Road, Bethany Lane, Palmyra Court, Norton Avenue, Norton Road and Newton Road.
For the safety of all involved, residents along Mumbles Road will be unable to gain vehicle entry onto parts of this road between approximately 10.30pm and 1.30pm. The closures will be on a rolling basis and will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.
This post is also available in: Welsh
