Thousands of athletes from across Swansea and beyond are reaching for their trainers and gearing up for Wales' biggest summer-time half marathon as the Swansea Half Marathon returns this Sunday, June 11.
This year's run will start underneath the golden Copr Bay bridge, located outside Swansea Arena on Oystermouth Road, and will take runners and wheelchair racers on a fantastic route around the city with beautiful views of Swansea Bay to enjoy on the way. The 13.1 mile route has been designed to "showcase spectacular Swansea Bay" whilst remaining predominantly flat, organisers say.
This year's race has been organised by Swansea-based events company Front Runner Events who recently managed the highly successful Gorseinon 10k race and Family 2k Run, with the support of dedicated staff and volunteer "race makers."
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Around 5,000 runners and wheelchair-users are set to take part in this year's event, thousands of whom will be running to raise funds for the race's charity partners Maggie's Swansea and Cancer Research UK, affiliated charities Cancer Research Wales, Llamau, Crisis, Morgan's Army and Hospice of the Valleys, or for local, regional or national charities, causes or community groups close to their hearts.
Speaking ahead of the Half Marathon, managing director of Front Runner Events, David Martin-Jewell said: "We are excited to be staging the ninth edition of the Swansea Half Marathon alongside our new headline partners at Swansea University. This year will see our biggest field of wheelchair athletes in our race history and strongest female elite line-up to date.
"There have been several measures introduced this year which has helped make the event more sustainable and inclusive than ever before, which we hope will lead the way for running events going forward.
"We are thrilled to be helping Swansea University make strides for mental health in our community and look forward to seeing all those running for charity and good causes on the day."
Whilst the Half Marathon takes place there will be several road closures in place for all vehicles (excluding emergency services), including large parts of Oystermouth Road and Quay Parade, to ensure the safety of runners, wheelchair racers, staff, volunteers and spectators. Scroll down for a full list of this year's road closures for the Half Marathon and other information you need to know.
When and where is the Swansea Half Marathon taking place?
This year's Swansea Half Marathon is taking place on Sunday, June 11. The wheelchair race will start at 8.55am, before the main group of runners will start to cross the starting line at 9am. At 9.10am, the "Family Run" will begin.
Around 5,000 people are expected to take part in the Swansea Half Marathon, which will take competitors on a beautiful, predominantly flat route around the city. The starting point will be located underneath the golden Copr Bay bridge on Oystermouth Road (outside Swansea Arena). Participants are asked to be parked up and ready and waiting in the starting area by 8.30am.
What road closures will be in place?
Information from Swansea Half Marathon organisers:
'Schedule 1' - Road closure in force from Saturday, June 10 to 3pm Sunday, June 11:
- A40677 Oystermouth Road (Westbound) - from the junction with Princess Way to West Way
'Schedule 2' - Road closures in force from 8.15am to 3pm Sunday, June 11:
- A4067 Quay Parade - from Sainsbury's supermarket to Wind Street
- A4067 Victoria Road - entire length of the road in both directions
- Burrows Place - at the junction with Victoria Road
- A4067 Oystermouth Road – from its junction with West Way to Quay Parade, in both directions
- Somerset Place - no left turn
'Schedule 3' - Road closures in place from 8.15am to 10.30am Sunday, June 11:
- Francis Street - from its junction with Guildhall Road South
- Guildhall Road South - entire length of the road
- St Helens Crescent – from its junction with Guildhall Road South; The Baths Car Park
- St Helens Avenue – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- St Helens Road – entire length of the road
- Brynymor Road – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
'Schedule 4' - Road closures in place from 8.15am to 10.45am Sunday, June 11:
- St Helens Road - entire length of the road
- Brunswick Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- Russell Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- Henrietta Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- George Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- Nicholl Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- B4290 St Helens Road – from its junction with Guildhall Road South
- Bond Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road and junction with Oystermouth Road
- Oxford Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- Beach Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road and junction with Oystermouth Road
- Argyle Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- Richardson Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- Lane alongside 8a St Helens Road – its entire length
- Wyndham Street – from its junction with B4290 St Helens Road
- Dillwyn Street -from junction with Oxford Street, its entire length
- Glamorgan Street – its junction with Oystermouth Road
- Christina Street – its entire length
- The Kingsway – its entire length
- Horton Street
- Pell Street
- Northampton Lane
- Un-named Road from Northampton Lane to the Junction with the Kingsway
- Dynevor Place
- Orchard Street – its entire length
- Cradock Street – its entire length
- Bellevue Way - its entire length
- Pleasant Street – its entire length
- B4290 Alexandra Place – from its junction with Orchard Street
- A4118 Dyfatty Street (southbound) – from Greenhill to its junction with Orchard Street
- B4290 Alexandra Road – from its junction with Orchard Street to B4489 High Street
- B4489 High Street (southbound) – from its junction with B4290 High Street Train Station
- Ivy Place – at its junction with B4290 High Street Train Station
- Mariner Street - its entire length
- Ebenezer Street- its entire length
- Tontine Street- its entire length
- Orchard Street – its entire length
- Kingsway – its entire length
- Picton Lane – its entire length
- Portland Street – its entire length
- College Street - its entire length
- Welcome Lane – its entire length
- Castle Bailey Street – its entire length
- Castle Street – its entire length
- Lane behind Kapsers [Kaspas] – its entire length
- Castle Square – its entire length
- Caer Street – its entire length
- Wind Street – its entire length
- Princess Way – its entire length
- St Marys Square – its entire length
- St Marys Street – its entire length
- St Davids Place – its entire length
- Salubrious Place – its entire length
- York Street – its entire length
'Schedule 5' - Road closures in place 8.30am to 12.30pm Sunday, June 11
- A4067 Mumbles Road Guildhall Road South to Mayals Road (Westbound only)
- A4067 Mumbles Road Mayals Road to Newton Road (eastbound and westbound)
- A4067 Mumbles Road – Westbound Guildhall Road South to Newton Road
- A4067 Oystermouth Road – West Way to Guildhall Road South Eastbound and westbound and all adjoining roads
'Schedule 6' - Road closures in place with no right turn and no left turn from 8.45am to 12.30pm Sunday, June 11
In relation to the following road closures, organisers say the road closures here are in place but, whenever possible, residents will be able to access their homes:
- Llwynderw Drive onto A4067 Mumbles Road
- Lilliput Lane onto A4067 Mumbles Road
- Army Reserve Centre onto A4067 Mumbles Road
- Fairwood Road onto A4067 Mumbles Road
- Alderwood Drive onto Mumbles Road
- Lane Adjacent to 308 Mumbles Road
- Amy Dillwyn Close onto Mumbles Road
- Bethany Lane onto Mumbles Road
- Palmyra Court onto Mumbles Road
- Norton Ave onto Mumbles Road
- Norton Rd onto Mumbles Road
- A4067 Mumbles Road – eastbound from junction with Newton Road B4593 to Junction with B4436 Mayals Road
'Schedule 7': No right turn, 8.45am to 12.30pm Sunday, June 11
- Mayals Road onto A4067 Mumbles Road
- Cwm Farm onto A4067 Mumbles Road
- Glyn Crescent onto A4067 Mumbles Road
'Schedule 8': Varying restrictions Sunday, June 11
- Somerset Place – its junction with Quay Parade – no left turn 8.15am to 3pm
- Dunvant Place onto A4067 Oystermouth Road – no left turn, no right turn 8.30am to 3pm
- Brynmill Terrace onto A4067 Mumbles Road – road closed 8.30am to 12.30pm
- Gorse Lane on to A4067 – road closed – 8.30am to 12.30pm
- Sketty Lane onto A4067 Mumbles Road – no right turn/no left turn/no U-turn 8.15am to 12.30pm
- Ashleigh Road onto A4067 Mumbles Road – no right turn 8.30am to 12.30pm
- Derwen Fawr Road onto A4067 Mumbles Rd – no right turn 8.30am to 12.30pm
- Mill Lane onto A4067 Mumbles Road – no right turn 8.30am to 12.30pm
- Unnamed Rd (The Woodman Public House) onto A4067 Mumbles Road – no right turn 8.30am to 12.30pm
- Newton Rd onto A4067 Mumbles Road - no left turn 8.30am to 12.30pm
'Schedule 9': 'No Parking' restrictions (Tow Away Zone) Saturday, June 10 9pm to Sunday, June 11 9pm 11.30am
- High Street
- St Helens Road
- Castle Bailey Street
- Castle Street
What is the race route?
Organisers say: "The Swansea University Swansea Half Marathon starts at the Copr Bay bridge in front of the iconic Swansea Arena, before heading towards Singleton campus. Participants will loop back towards the historic Brangwyn Hall, through the citycCentre, passing Swansea Castle returning towards the Waterfront Museum.
"The route then heads out towards the Mumbles with the pier and lighthouse in view, where runners will enjoy the stunning vista of Swansea Bay before returning to the road at Brynmill Lane to the finishing straight at Swansea Arena."
What are the timings for the day?
7am: Race Village and bag drop opens
8am: Road closures commence
8.30am: Starting pens open - runners MUST be parked and heading to start area
8.45am: Bag drop closes
8.55am: Wheelchair race starts
9am: Swansea University Swansea Half Marathon Race starts
9.10am: Family Fun Run starts
10am: Wheelchair winner expected
10.02am: Male winner expected
10.11am: Female winner expected
11am: Winners presentation takes place
1pm: The last finisher expected
2pm: Event closes
Where is the 'Race Village' and what will be available there?
The Race Village is located at Museum Green and will be open to athletes and spectators from 7am. Here, participants will find the information point, refreshments, entertainment stage, toilets and that a massage tent offering free pre-race massages from 8am, courtesy of Gower College.
Participants are invited to head to the Race Village after their run to enjoy a drink or two from Gower Brewery and listen to live music from local band Subterrania from the stage!
Will there be a bag drop?
Organisers say: "Yes, the bag drop will be situated at the LC, but runners are encouraged to only use the bag drop if essential and only one bag per person is permitted. Participants are urged not to bring, store, or leave valuable items and check they have everything they need before drop off. All bags should be securely closed, and the baggage band looped around the handle, before handing it in.
What female friendly facilities will there be?
Organisers say: "There will be dedicated women-only toilets located within the event village, alongside the usual unisex toilets and urinals. Free period products, including tampons and towels, will be supplied in women-only toilets and the information point should you require them. There will also be a private breastfeeding area in the race village, just ask at the info point where to find it."
Will there be pacers?
Organisers say: "Participants will be pleased to know that there will be a team of race pacers offering support to help runners get their pacing spot on. The pacers will run the race in the following estimated times: 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:15 and 3:30.
"The pacers will be on the course wearing flags with the estimated finish time on them. Look out for the pacer within the start pen and try to stay near to them throughout the race."
Where are the toilets and water stops?
Organisers say: "Runners are encouraged to drink plenty of water within the week before the race and bring a personal water bottle or hydration vest to the event. However, there will be Brecon Carreg hydration points on the course at approximately three-mile intervals.
"Runners are encouraged to drink what they need, tip the rest out and dispose of it in the recycling zones to help the volunteer crew. Toilets are located at the start area and at various points on the route."
Will there be entertainment?
Organisers say: "Yes, there will be entertainment on route and on a stage in the race village to help create that running festival feel and keep runners motivated! The line-up will include:
Ros Evans – Soprano at the start line; Mums The Word Choir – located near Swansea University campus; Swansea Rock Project – located at Blackpill; Abertaiko – located at Sketty Lane; Turnpike Road – located at Ripples; Subterrania – located on stage at Museum Green."
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