Race Guide

The multi-award winning Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is one of the premier road races in the UK. Now in its 41st 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 2022 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k will take place on Sunday 18 September 20222

View our interactive course map online, or you can click here for a downloadable version.

Around 4,000 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

Entries for the 2022 race will open soon.

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.

Please see our terms and conditions.

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 2022. 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.

Please see our terms and conditions.

There will only be one water station at this year’s race and it will be at the finish. There will be NO water station  at the 5k point as per previous races.

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.

Race packs will be sent out to all participants approximately one week before the race. Runners can expect to start receiving their race packs week commencing 12th September, so keep and eye on your post box!

They’ll contain your race bib, shirt voucher (to redeem when collecting your 10k t-shirt) and information about race day.

If you have not received your race pack by Wednesday 14^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.

T-shirt collection will be from a marquee on the Recreation Ground. Shirts will be available for collection on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th, 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 16th September: TBC
• Saturday 17th September: TBC

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

Unfortunately not this year. As part of our Covid 19 mitigation we are not providing a baggage service and encourage runners to arrive race ready.

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.

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 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, residents and 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 40^th 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

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

The races start at 09.15am and the main 10k race starts at 11.00am. Due to the longer start process we anticipate the event finishing at approximately 14.00pm (though this is subject to change).

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

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

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.

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.

You’ll cross the finish line and collect your medal, banana and water. There will be catering outlets at the finish to purchase food & beverages.

You can collect your 2022 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k finishers medal after completing the race.

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.

Photo-fit.com are the official photographers of the 2021 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k.

There will be trophies for the category winners but there will not be a public trophy presentation this year.

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 9.30am) 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 9.30am. 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 accessible via Byrnmill Lane. Parking is also available adjacent to St Helens Rugby Ground, at the front and side of the Guildhall, Singleton Hospital West Car Park via Sketty Lane and 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.

Check out our parking and road closure map for further help.

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 for the 2022 race will be confirmed closer to the event 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, there is no park and ride service for this years race.

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.

You can follow our Facebook or Twitter accounts.