Race Guide

The multi-award winning Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is one of the premier road races in the UK. Now in its 40^th year the race is a firm favourite with both experienced and first time runners, being named Best 10k in Wales at the 2018 and 2019 Running Awards.

The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k takes place along the beautiful and iconic sweep of Swansea Bay, providing a fast and flat course that is a perfect introduction to road running, and perfect for improving your personal best.

The 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k will take place on Sunday 19 September 2021.

You can find an interactive course map here.

Around 4,500 people enter the race each year.

Of course not! The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is a fun run, open to experienced runners and first timers alike. Thousands enter every year for their first ever event, in fancy dress and for charity.

Every finisher gets a bespoke Admiral Swansea Bay 10k medal.

Of course! Every year hundreds run in fancy dress to raise money for good causes. Don’t forget to share your pictures with us on the day!

Of course! Every year thousands of runners enter to raise money for good causes. The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k also supports the Lord Mayor’s charities – you can find out about this year’s chosen charities and download a sponsorship form here

Online entries for the 2021 races are now open.

NO - There will be no entry or registration on the day for the main 10k race.

No – once race entries are full or the deadline has passed, no more entries will be accepted. Please be aware that there are NO entries allowed on race day.

No, once you have entered online you just need to turn up and run. There will be no entry or registration on the day for the main 10k race.

No – Unfortunately, as per our terms and conditions we do not offer refunds under any circumstances.

Participant’s race numbers are specific personal identifiers and may only be transferred via the Real Buzz  Admiral Swansea Bay 10k official process.. There is a small fee (plus any associated booking fees) to be paid by the transferee. The cut-off date for transfers is 31^st July 2021. The unauthorised sale and/or transfer of race numbers is strictly prohibited and will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from this and future events, and this will be reported to UK Athletics.

Please refer to the Race Rules and Terms & Conditions.

All entry fees are non-refundable, and may not be deferred toward a future event.

A water station will be located near the 5k mark and at the finish. Please be considerate to other runners by taking one drink per water station and using the recycling bins provided.

Volunteer stewards will be located on the course to monitor, direct, assist and encourage runners. If you need assistance at any time during the event they should be your first point of contact. Don't forget to wave and say hi as you run past!

Please remember that volunteers on the course are giving up their spare time to help out at the race and to make your race experience as enjoyable as possible. Any foul language or abusive behaviour towards marshalls will result in the disqualification and/or banning of any individuals involved from this and future events, and they will be reported to UK Athletics.

Yes.  First aid will be provided by St John’s Ambulance volunteers and a team of paramedics.  They will be located throughout the course with a base at the finish line.  If you feel ill at any time prior to, during or after the event, please seek the assistance of the nearest marshal or steward.

Toilets are available near the start and finish line, and at several locations along the route.

The lost children point is in the Information Marquee where staff will be available to assist you. Marshalls will also be out on route to help you.

We have a team of litter pickers collecting and sorting waste for recycling, but please help us recycle as much waste as possible by using the recycling bins provided whenever you can.

If you lose anything during the event, you can either contact us on the Facebook page, or contact the Council’s Special Events team at swanseabay10k@swansea.gov.uk.

Please bear in mind that the Special Events team will be extremely busy over the weekend, and will be back in the office on the Monday after the event.

Trade stand applications for the 2021 race will open soon.

Race packs will be sent out to all participants approximately two weeks before the race.

Your race pack contains your race number with timing chip attached, baggage label, and a voucher to redeem a free tech t-shirt!

If you have not received your race pack by Monday 13^th September 2021 please email swanseabay10k@swansea.gov.uk

If your address has changed since you entered you’ll be able to update your details on the Members Hub. This feature is only available for a certain amount of time, after which you will have to contact swanseabay10k@swansea.gov.uk.

If you need to update your address after the race packs have been posted we may be able to assist, however there will be a small charge to re-issue race packs.

The T shirt can be redeemed at the Guildhall on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th September or at the end of the race at the Information Marquee. Collection times will be detailed on the voucher. You must have your voucher with your to receive your T shirt.

The timing chip will be located on the back of your race number. On the race day please wear your race number on your chest secured with a safety pin in each corner. It is your responsibility to ensure you arrive at the finish line with your race number intact.

Do not fold or cut your race number in any way.

Please see the timetable below;

• 10k Wheelchair (15+ yrs.) 10.55am
• 10k (15+ yrs.) 11am
• 3k (9 – 14yrs) 10am
• 1k (8 – 11yrs) 9.30am
• 1k (7yrs and under) 9.15am
• Mascot Race 11.10am

Participants can drop off their bag at the information marquee using the baggage label attached to your race number.

The start assembly point is on the dual carriageway on Oystermouth Road (outside St Helens Rugby Ground) from approx. 10.30am.   There will be a warm up 10 minutes before the race. Please make your way to the timed 'pens', that correlate with your predicted finish time. This will help you enjoy the race even more, running alongside others of a similar ability to you.

If you are an experienced self-propelled wheelchair athlete with a racing wheelchair it is essential that you report to the Start Manager near the start line by 10.15am in order to start ahead of the main field of runners.

You can find out more information on our Wheelchair Race here

There will be commentary provided at the finish line, which will describe where the runners are on the course, and call out finishers as they cross the finish line. Listen out – you may hear your name!

The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is well known for its excellent spectator support throughout the course. Click here to find our interactive course map to plan where you are going to watch the race.

The finish line is located near the cenotaph memorial. You can check out an interactive course map here.

The first of our Junior Races kicks off at 9.15am, with the main 10k race starting at 11am. The first runners home usually finish in around 30 minutes, with most runners finished at around the 2 hour mark.

The Information Marquee will be located on the Prom near the Cenotaph.

Security staff and South Wales Police will be visible and patrolling both at the event site and in the surrounding area. If you witness something suspicious, report it to security staff or a steward immediately.

You safety and security are our main concern, and it is taken extremely seriously. Swansea Council and the emergency services have been planning this event for some time, and if you’re coming to the event we want you to enjoy and have fun, so please read the following information and advice on security at the event.

·         Security staff will be visible and on patrol around the site.

·         Specialist dogs may also be on patrol

·         A network of CCTV cameras has been installed throughout the event, these will be monitored from our event control room.

·         We’ve worked closely with the Police and other emergency services to plan a safe event for everyone.

·         There will be police patrols around the event and local area.

·         You may see armed police patrolling the area as is now normal practice at events of this size.

·         There will be many other security measures that you can’t see.

The event will go ahead if it rains. In the event of poor weather, please take extra care when running, and wear appropriate clothing.

• 10k Wheelchair: 15+ yrs
• 10k: 15+ yrs
• 3k: 9 – 14yrs
• 1k: 8 – 11yrs
• 1k: 7yrs and under

Swansea Council has worked closely with the Emergency services to safely deliver this event. Despite road closures being in place, access for emergency services will be maintained at all times. It is for this reason that headphones are not permitted.

No – headphones are not permitted during the race. The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k route comprises of closed road sections, which have to be available to emergency services at all times. In the interest of athlete safety, headphones are not permitted, as they may as they may stop the user hearing safety announcements or emergency service vehicles.

No, although it is one of the fastest races in the UK it is also open to fun runners. If you are towards the back of the race, you may be asked to move to the pavement if it is considered necessary to do so by the Race Director.

You can find the Race Rules and Terms & Conditions online here

For the main Admiral Swansea Bay 10k race, the assembly area is split into time band zones. Please assemble in the area that corresponds to your predicted race finish time. This should ensure that you are running with runners of similar ability which will give you the best possible experience and finish time.

Please take into consideration additional time for possible traffic queues and parking when planning your journey.

Time bands are placed on the walls of St. Helen’s Rugby Ground and the surrounding lampposts.

Why not run near one of our pace runners! We have pace runners for 40, 45, 50 & 60 minutes. Look out for their yellow flags.

Personal fitness devices are permitted, but please be aware that headphones are not allowed.

No, as this could cause a trip hazard for other runners.

No, as this could cause a trip hazard for other runners.

Yes, you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter for race, traffic and travel updates.

Parents can run with their little ones in our Junior 1k races in both the 7yrs and under and 8yrs – 11yr categories. Parents are not permitted to run in our 3k race, but are allowed to follow along at the back of the pack.

Staff will be on hand to assist you and you can also collect your goody bag which will include your medal & certificate (certificates for junior races only). To reunite with friends and family after the race, please move out of the funnels and into the athlete village.

Your Admiral Swansea Bay 10k finishers medal will be in your goody bag!

This will be confirmed closer to the race date.

Provisional results will be available here later on race day. A first set of provisional results will be available a few hours after the last runner crosses the finish line. The final results will then be available approximately 7 days after the event. If you’re results are incorrect/do not appear in the provisional results don’t worry! They will appear in the final results.

Our official race photographers will be confirmed closer to the race date.

The Junior race and main race prize presentations will take place on a podium located near the finish line. Junior Race – 10.30am-11.30am. Main Race – 1pm onwards. Winners are asked to present themselves to the presentation area.

Not all categories are presented on the day for the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k – just the main winners.

If you haven’t received any of the above, please make your way to the Information Marquee. If you realise this after you have left the event site, you can either contact us on the Facebook page, or contact the Special Events team at swanseabay10k@swansea.gov.uk.

Runners will receive iTabs within 7-10 workings days after the race. If you haven’t received your iTab within 10 days please contact swanseabay10k@swansea.gov.uk

For satellite navigation enter SA1 4PQ.

There will be signs from junction 47 and 42 of the M4 to the event area, yellow signs with a running man depicted on them.

There will be free parking in the Recreation Ground and Lacrosse Field (no later than 10.00am) adjacent to St Helens Rugby Ground, front and side of the Guildhall, Swansea. Overflow car parks are located at the Civic Centre West Car Park.

Please help us by arriving early as the car parks are well used and traffic builds up close to the main event car park. A detailed traffic management system will be put in place and road closures will come into operation from approximately 10.00am. From past experience, traffic will be heavy in the proximity of the course.

All participants are reminded to arrive early and allow for traffic delays near the start and finish areas. When exiting the car parks on foot, please take care and only cross the road at the designated crossing points. This is especially important at the end of the event when returning to your cars, as you will be crossing a very busy dual carriageway.

From the Quadrant bus station in the city centre, the following buses will take you to St Helens Rugby Ground: 2A /3A. The City Centre is well serviced by public transport. For further information about bus and train services contact Traveline Cymru on 0871 200 22 33 or visit the Traveline Cymru website

There will be free parking in the Recreation Ground and Lacrosse Field (no later than 10.00am) adjacent to St Helens Rugby Ground, front and side of the Guildhall, Swansea. Overflow car parks are located at the Civic Centre West Car Park.

When exiting the car park on foot take care and only cross at the designated crossing points. This is especially important at the end of the event when returning to your vehicles as you will be crossing a very busy dual carriageway.

Travelling down to Swansea for the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k? Let Visit Swansea Bay help you plan your stay.  Visitswanseabay.com is maintained by the Swansea Council’s Tourism Team, and is the official provider of tourist information for Swansea Bay (Swansea, Mumbles and Gower).  The website is packed with ideas for things to see and do and as well as providing an excellent and wide choice of graded accommodation information.

Road Closures

A number of road closures will be in place to accommodate the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k. The main 10k race will start from directly opposite St. Helen’s Rugby Ground, and road closure information will be confirmed closer to the 2021 race date.

Part of the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k route is on roads - road closures are therefore in place to allow the race to take place and for the runners safety.

No, there are advanced warning signs set up in advance and stewards along the route will advise cyclist to dismount during the busiest periods of the race.

Parking is available in the Recreation Ground Car Park, which runs parallel to the start and finish areas of the race.

8.30am

Yes – but please park responsibly and with consideration to local residents. All surrounding roads will be subject to normal parking regulations, and parking enforcement officers will be patrolling the area and enforcing parking restrictions.

No, however there are shuttle buses that run from the main Information Marquee to the start of the Junior Races.

There will be signs from junction 47 and 42 of the M4 to the event area, yellow signs with a running man depicted on them.

Singleton Hospital will not be affected by road closures or the event site, and access to Singleton Hospital will be available as usual. However due to the road closures you may have to arrive via an alternative route – please plan ahead.

Swansea University main entrance will not be accessible between 10am and 11:30am. Alternative access will be available via Singleton Hospital – please plan ahead.

Singleton Boating Lake / Pub on the Pond will be affected briefly at the start of the race (11am – 11.20am approximately) by the road closures - outside of these times access will be maintained.

10am – 11.30am access via Sketty Lane right turn

11.30am – 12.00pm access via the Gower

Once the last runner has passed Sketty Lane traffic will be able to follow the sweep vehicle.

Mumbles Road / Oystermouth Road Eastbound will still be open for traffic as far as Sketty Lane, so you will still be able to reach the M4, please allow additional time for your journey.

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