Runners, elite athletes, spectators and supporters will adorn the streets of Swansea next Sunday as the biggest race of the year stages its annual event for the City. With only a week to go until the JCP Swansea Half Marathon takes place; on Sunday 23rd June, the City will once again welcome visitors from all over the globe; some of whom will be travelling from as far away as; USA, Brazil, Australia, Singapore as well as plenty of representation from the 4 home nations.
As the event grows from strength-to-strength the race continues to attract some of the best athletes in the UK along with a mass field of seasoned runners, first timers, and locals who keep coming back year after year. And it’s easy to see why – it’s fast, it’s flat, and it boasts a stunning route that our runners simply rave about! Being recognised as the UK’s Best Half Marathon (2017 & 2018), attracting journalists and worldwide TV coverage last year, also might have a little something to do with it!
Cohort of Runners
Hundreds of runners taking part will be raising money for charity, getting into the spirit by sporting their best fancy dress, running with their club, or taking on the Corporate Challenge, where businesses go head to head – simply a brilliant way to encourage team spirit! There will be a total of 18 teams that will be battling it out to be crowned Corporate Challenge Champions.
Charities – Did You Know?
There will be another attempt by a group running for Diabetes UK Cymru alongside 1 Bloody Drop to try to set a new World Record for the most Type 1’s to run a half marathon. The race itself offers a fantastic platform for charity fundraising and many will still be raising funds up until race day for their own causes and the headline charities; Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK Cymru, and Maggie’s Swansea (home of cancer care).
Famous Faces
The race has attracted some famous faces in previous years with the likes of sports personalities; Shane Williams, Ryan Jones, Ian Gough, as well as TV personalities: CJ De Mooi, and Eve Myles gracing the route. This year we can look forward to welcoming the return of Casualty actress; Jaye Griffiths.
Fun Time Fruits Family Dash.
Families will be joining in at the Fun Time Fruits Family Dash. Enabling everyone to experience the thrilling atmosphere of a big sporting event in the city. Participants will get that finish line feeling when they reach the official finish at Swansea Museum taking in 2K of the half marathon route, before cheering on the finishers of the main event. Starting at the Brangwyn Hall at 10.15am, taking place once the half marathon runners have crossed the start line. All entries for the Dash will close on the 19th June and bibs can be collected on Saturday 22nd June between 10.30am-4pm at Museum Green and on race day from 7.30am at the Information Point in the pre-event Race Village (sited near the start).
Bands Across the Bay
Runners and spectators alike will be entertained during the race by showcasing some of the best acts in South Wales. A festival atmosphere and fantastic crowd support are expected, as we welcome Welsh singing star Ros Evans to deliver a heart-stirring performance at the start, and runners will be surprised and delighted with performance spots at locations along the route and in the race village at the finish. With everything from rock, rhythm & blues to choirs and drumming groups, each and every one of them will be hoping to motivate the runners, giving them the boost they need to run the distance around the beautiful Swansea Bay.
Pacers
Participating athletes will be pleased to know that there will be a team of Racecheck Pacers at the event. Their team offers fantastic support during the race, helping to runners achieve their target race time at the event, in the following estimated times: 1.30, 1.35, 1.40, 1.45, 1.50, 2.00, 2.10, 2.15, 2.20 and 2.30 hours. Runners simply need to look out for their pacer (who will be wearing a flag) within their designated pen and try to stay with them throughout the race to ensure accurate timing.
Race Village
The post-event race village will be located in Museum Green which is open from 7.30am on race day, and will host; the headline charities, information point, massage tent, cool down area, live music and a selection of food stands and stalls. All bags will be collected near the start area and loaded onto an articulated Owen’s Group lorry where all baggage will be transported to the finish area after the race, so runners just need to look out for signage. Everyone is advised to avoid bringing a bag, but if they must, ALL bags must be clearly labelled and will be subject to inspection.
The Start
The mass race will start at 10.00am which will allow travellers extra time to get to the starting pens, which are located outside the Brangwyn Hall. The route takes runners on fully closed roads past Swansea castle and along a magnificent six-mile stretch of Swansea Bay towards The Mumbles, with its iconic pier and lighthouse. The wheelchair race will start at 9.55am prior to the main field of runners and the Family Dash will commence at 10.15am.
Key Timings:
- 07:30: Race village open
- 07:30: Baggage lorry open near the Brangwyn Hall
- 09:00: Road closures commence
- 09:30: Runners enter start funnels at Guildhall Road South
- 09:50: Baggage drop off closes
- 09:55: Wheelchair athlete race begins
- 10:00: Mass race starts
- 10:15: Fun Time Fruits Family Fun Dash Starts
- 11:00: Wheelchair winner of the JCP Swansea Half Marathon expected
- 11:03: Male Winner Expected
- 11:12: Female Winner Expected
- 12:00: Winners Presentation
- 14:00: Last Runner Expected
- 16:00: Event closes
Race Day Guide 
This features all the need to know information about the event, including safety notes, how to get into the city, road closures, and route map. Anyone wishing to know more can download their copy via the website: http://www.swanseahalfmarathon.co.uk
Download & Track
This year the organisers 
have launched an official JCP Swansea Half Marathon App available to download on the Apple and Android stores. Branded as the one-stop shop for information whether you’re running or simply supporting its packed with all your need to knows. Best of all, you’ll be able to track your loved one’s live, and check all race results at the touch of a button. To download yours just head to: http://ow.ly/6jRN50uAcP4
Road Closures
The JCP Swansea Half Marathon is a fully closed road event, and as a result there will be road closures for the duration of the event so residents and visitors are advised to plan their trip well in advance. For further details on road closures across the city please check the website http://www.swanseahalfmarathon.co.uk/travel-parking/
Title Record Holders
There’s no secret that there are some pretty impressive record times achieved at the JCP Swansea Half Marathon and the current title holder’s include:
Wheelchair Record Holder (2016): Richie Powell: with a record time of 61:27
Male Record Holder (2018): Cardiff AAC; Matt Clowes with a record time of 64:43,
Female Record Holder (2018): Thames Valley Harriers; Tracy Barlow time of 73:50. Organisers expect to see an equally strong field of elites at this years race, with rivalry and competition at its best.
Team Behind The Scenes
The organising team behind the JCP Swansea Half Marathon, Front Runner Events, continues to work with their founding sponsor and Title Partner JCP Solicitors and long-term partners that include; Matthews & Co, HMT Sancta Maria and Race Nation. The event hydration partner remains to be the Welsh favourite Brecon Carreg, and nutrition partner Eat Natural.
To stay ahead of all the news as it happens like the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SwanseaHalf or follow @Swansea_HM #RunSwansea #BeYourBest on Twitter and @swanseahalfmarathon on Instagram.
