The city of Swansea will welcome athletes from all over the UK as they prepare to take on Wales’ biggest Sumer half marathon event this weekend. The JCP Swansea Half Marathon will be taking place this Sunday (12^th June) from Swansea Arena. The wheelchair race will start at 8.55 am before the main field of runners, who will take to the streets at 9.00 am.

The race is expected to host a field of up to 5000 participants that will run from the city to the sea on one of the most breath-taking half marathon courses in the country. The 13.1 mile route offers runners spectacular coastal scenery on an almost flat route.

The event organised by the Front Runner Events team is delivered with the help of crew members and volunteer race makers. David Martin-Jewell, Managing Director said:

“We are thrilled to be staging the 2022 edition of the JCP Swansea Half Marathon at the city’s newest cultural venue. We are excited to be welcoming an incredible elite field and hundreds of participants who have taken up running to keep fit during the last couple of years. It’s fantastic to be able to help a new generation of runners, some of whom will be challenging themselves at our event for the very first time. We look forward to putting on a great event for everyone to enjoy and hope it’s a wonderful day for all!”

Cohort of Runners

Many will participate in this event for good causes, raising awareness and much-needed funds for their chosen charity. With many still raising funds right up to race day for the event charity partners; Maggie’s Swansea, Cancer Research UK, Cancer Research Wales, Llamau and Shelter Cymru.

That team spirit will be back as seven companies take on the Celf Creative Corporate Challenge going head-to-head with reigning winners: JCP Solicitors versus the teams at Matthews & Co, HMT Sancta Maria, Brecon Carreg, Nation Radio, Nathaniel Cars and Arvato Bertelsmann.

Other keen runners will be supporting their clubs, wearing fancy dress, or even running their very first event, including the Swansea City Manager Russell Martin! So, this year is set to be something very special for everyone, whatever their reason for taking part!

The eighth edition of the race will mark the largest and most competitive field of stellar British athletes the event has ever seen. The current wheelchair record holder Richie Powell set a new record last year in a time of 60:54 and the male record stays with Matt Clowes of Cardiff AAC in a time of 64:43. In the same year, Tracy Barlow of Thames Valley Harriers won the race and recorded the female course record in 73:50. However, race records are expected to be smashed this year with the confirmed attendance of Phil Sesemann who was the British champion at London Marathon (2021) and Cardiff Half Marathon Female winner Natasha Cockram.

Essential Information

A Race Day Guide that features all your need-to-know information about the event has been produced and includes safety information, car parks and key race day details. To download your copy, find further event details, or follow your loved one on the Live Race Tracking go to: https://bit.ly/3GX8RfT

Key Race Day Timings:

07:30: Race Village, and Baggage Open
08:00: Road closure commences
08:30: Starting pens open – Runners MUST be parked & heading to start area
08:55: Wheelchair race starts
09:00: JCP Swansea Half Marathon Race Starts
10:00: Wheelchair winner expected
10:02: Male winner expected
10:11: Female winner expected
11:00: Winners presentation takes place
13:00: Last finisher expected
14:00: Event Closes

The Start

Being prepared and how you get to the start ahead of the event is essential. Runners are encouraged to plan their travel to and from the event and car share if you can and feel comfortable doing so. Participants should be parked and ready to #RunSwansea by 08.30am.

Race Village

The village is located at Museum Green and will be open to athletes and spectators from 07.30am. Here participants will find refreshments, the information point, toilets and massage.

Race Numbers & Timing

Runners will have received their bib prior to race day (if they have registered before 31^st May 2022). This contains the timing chip that will provide your finishing time, so try not to bend the bib. This MUST be secured to the front of your t-shirt/vest and the timing chip will activate as you cross the start line. There will be a limited number of spare bibs available at the Information Point, however there is a charge for a replacement. PLEASE NOTE– Runners must NEVER wear someone else’s race number, by doing so you are putting yourself at risk should a medical emergency occur.

Pens

There will be one single holding area, which will be split into the 5 race number colours (based on your estimated finish time). You must head to the area signposted for your race number colour, please note you will not be able to move forward a pen, but you can move backwards.

Baggage

Runners are encouraged to use the bag drop only if essential. The baggage will be situated at the LC and only one bag per person is permitted. Participants are asked not to bring, store or leave valuable items in their bags and check they have everything they need before dropping them off. All bags should be securely closed, and the baggage band looped around the handle, before handing it in.

Pacers

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. 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.

Facilities – Hydration & Toilets

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, we understand, sometimes this isn’t possible so there will be Brecon Carreg hydration points on the course. Runners are encouraged when taking water to drink what the need, tip the rest out and dispose of it in the recycling zones. Toilets are located at the start area and at various points on the route.

Safety

Runner’s safety is our priority! If you have a medical condition, you’re aware of please make sure you complete the medical information on the reverse of your race number, as well as marking the front of your race number with a RED X.

Should you need medical assistance during the race please stop, rest, and tell the nearest race maker, or ask another runner to tell them on your behalf. There will be medical stations located along the route and at the finish.