Race Guide

The multi-award winning Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is one of the premier road races in the UK. Now in its 43rd 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 2024 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k will take place on Sunday 15 September 2024

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 every year.

2024 Swansea Bay 10k entries now open – enter online

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 Njuko member dashboard. There is a small fee (plus any associated booking fees) to be paid by the transferee. 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 be two water stations on the course - one at the halfway (5km) mark and at the finish.

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. All water provided is from recycled plastic bottles. Additionally;

• Race vehicles will be electric
• Materials recycled in line with new Welsh Government recycling legislation

New for 2024 – Trees not Tees

We’re passionate about reducing our impact on the environment and making the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k as sustainable as we can. We know T shirt production affects the environment in several ways, from water use to microplastics to C02 to water pollution, and so we’ve teamed up with the Trees Not Tees project to provide sustainable options for the 2024 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k.

We realise that receiving a finisher’s T-shirt is an important part of the Admiral Swansea Bay 10k experience but should you wish to reduce your impact on the environment, when entering this year’s Admiral Swansea Bay 10k you have the option of;

• Receiving a tshirt
• Not receiving a tshirt but instead planting a tree with Trees not Tees
• Both!

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.

They’ll contain your race bib, shirt voucher (to redeem when collecting your 10k t-shirt) and information about race day. This year, your bib comes with a tear-off baggage label and t-shirt voucher.

If you have not received your race pack please email swanseabay10k@swansea.gov.uk

If your address has changed since you entered you’ll be able to update your details on the Njuko member dashboard. 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.

Race t-shirts can be picked up from the information marquee at the event village on the Recreation Ground on;

• Friday 13th Sept - 12pm - 8pm,
• Saturday 14th Sept - 9am - 6pm
• Sunday 15th Sept - 8am - 2pm

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.

Yes, at the information marquee in the event village on the Recreation Ground

The Admiral Swansea Bay 10k is home to one of the most stunning courses in the UK! It’s a firm favourite amongst runners due to its fast, flat surface and gorgeous scenery.

Starting on Mumbles Road (just east of the Cenotaph, What3Words ///expose.think.lime), the first half of the course follows the road down to the picturesque Mumbles, before returning along the stunning Swansea Prom. This year will be a road start, with signs in place for indicated finish times, so you can line up with runners of similar time and ability. Keep your eye open as well for pace runners.

As you are heading back up along the Prom, runners will rejoin the road as they pass Brynmill Lane and head to the finish line on Mumbles Road. There are two water stations on the course – one at the half way mark, and one at the finish line.

Upon crossing the finish line, stewards will guide you through the funnels where you can collect water and your medal, and which will lead you back to the athletes village. The village includes the information marquee, toilets, physiotherapy areas and more.

For the Junior Races

• The Junior 1k and 3k races will all start and finish the main 10k start/finish line, situated alongside the Recreation Ground
• The Junior 1k route is a straight down and back along Mumbles Road
• The Junior 3k route heads down mumbles road, turning at Sketty Lane car park and heading back up along the prom. They then re join Mumbles Road at the bottom of Brynmill Lane, heading back down towards the Swansea University entrance, before turning around and heading back to the finish line alongside the Recreation Ground

Find out interactive course map online

The Junior 1k and 3k races will all start and finish the main 10k start/finish line, situated alongside the Recreation Ground;

• The Junior 1k route is a straight down and back along Mumbles Road
• The Junior 3k route heads down mumbles road, turning at Sketty Lane car park and heading back up along the prom. They then re join Mumbles Road at the bottom of Brynmill Lane, heading back down towards the Swansea University entrance, before turning around and heading back to the finish line alongside the Recreation Ground

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 finish line is located on Mumbles Road, alongside the Recreation Ground. You can check out an interactive course map here.

The races start at 09.15am and the main 10k race starts at 11.00am. The main 10k race usually takes around 2 hours to complete.

The Race Village, which is situated at the Recreation Ground.

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

·         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.

Bone conducting headphones are permitted.

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

Pace runners will be running on route as well - keep your eyes open for the time 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.

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, as well as a stage and live bands, charities, photo opportunities to have your photo taken with your race time, physiotherapists and tradestands

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

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 2024 Admiral Swansea Bay 10k. 2024 race photos will be available here the week after the race.

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 contact the Special Events team at 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, 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.

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.

In order to safely facilitate the event listed above a number of road closures, traffic diversions and parking restrictions will be in place in the area.

The main 10k race will start and finish from Mumbles Road opposite the Recreation Ground (The Rec) at 11am and will follow Mumbles Road west to Oystermouth Square. Here runners will turn and return along the promenade to Brynmill Lane where runners make their way onto the road, finishing at the start.

As per 2023, the Race Village will be located on the grassed section of the Recreation Ground. Race day morning will include race commentary and live music. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to come along to enjoy the free event and cheer on the runners.
Road closures and diversions will be implemented as follows:

05.30am until 4.00pm

• Mumbles Road Closed in both directions between the traffic lights at the Slip near St. Helen’s Rugby Ground and the bottom of Sketty Lane. The road will re-open as soon as it is deemed safe after the event equipment and infrastructure has been removed from the road.

10.30am until 1.30pm

• Mumbles Road Closed to westbound traffic from the bottom of Sketty Lane to Mayals Road. Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane and diverted up Sketty Lane at this point.
• Mumbles Road Closed in both directions between the bottom of Mayals Road and West Cross Roundabout. The road will re-open on a rolling basis as soon as it is deemed safe after the last runner and safety vehicles pass.
• Mumbles Road Closed to westbound traffic between West Cross Inn Roundabout and Oystermouth Square. The road will re-open on a rolling basis as soon as it is deemed safe after the last runner and safety vehicles pass.

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 2.00pm. 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.

Bryn Road will see parking suspended to enable access for emergency vehicles.

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.

Bryn Road will have parking suspended to enable access for emergency vehicles.

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.

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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