Emma Martin-Jewell

The JCP Swansea Half Marathon may have crossed the finish line last month, but runners are being reminded that their fitness needn’t suffer this winter. Despite the colder climate and shorter days, keeping up training throughout the year can improve your health and give you the boost of energy you may need. But staying safe and being careful is a must for runners during the darker months!

Brake’s Road Safety Week campaign began this week and runners are being urged to take sensible measures to avoid injury by cars, bikes or scooters. To help, we’ve put together a few tips for you:

• Make sure traffic can see you by wearing reflective gear
• Run in a safe, well-lit area with a wide path
• Plan your route and tell people where you are going and when you expect to be back
• Wear a head or chest torch just in case you need it
• Be aware that wearing headphones could make you unable to hear any approaching hazard
• Go with a running buddy if possible

David Martin Jewell of Front Runner Events (the organisers of the JCP Swansea Half Marathon), said: “Many runners will be hitting the streets in the winter months to keep their fitness levels up and it is important to make sure safety is a top priority. Even a relatively small injury can impact your running schedule, so it is important to warm up carefully and be safety conscious by taking the steps mentioned. The theme of National Road Safety Week is ‘be a road safety hero’ and this is a handy reminder of the part we play as drivers and cyclists, too, to look out for each other’s welfare.”

Kirsty Meech, an avid runner and Associate Solicitor at JCP Solicitors, said: “Of course it is important to do whatever you can to avoid injury. A&E departments are particularly stretched in the winter and aside from the fact that nobody wants to have to deal with an injury, it is important not to put any extra strain on the NHS.”

For details about how you can get involved in Brake’s Road Safety Week, click here.

There were moments of anticipation, excitement, and joy at this year’s JCP Swansea Half Marathon event. Runners took to the city’s streets to participate in the seventh edition of the race, which is traditionally held in June. They braved the 13.1 miles in slightly cooler conditions which were perfect for running.

After Hayley Davies, CEO of JCP Solicitors, set the runners on their way, she said:

“It was fantastic to see everyone back at the start line and enjoying such a wonderful event for the city. It is always inspiring to see others taking part, whether it’s their first event, a personal challenge, or raising money for charity. Today was an extra special day full of emotions for everyone as it marked the return of the biggest running event for the region.”

The JCP Swansea Half Marathon was last held 28 months ago in June 2019, and last year was set to be the greatest event the organising team had ever staged. Managing Director of Front Runner Events, David Martin-Jewell, said:

“It has been such a challenging time for us as event organisers, but we have pulled out all the stops to ensure that the event could run as smoothly as possible. We are thrilled to have been able to deliver the JCP Swansea Half Marathon and hope that our runners loved being back to experience race day once again!”

The events sector has been one of the most severely affected industries during the last 18 months, so it was important that today’s event was just right for everyone involved. There were some changes as to be expected in a post-Covid-era, with everyone asked to register a negative lateral flow test result before participating. There were also a few changes to the route this year, but it remains one of the flattest half marathon routes in the UK.

Just over 3,000 runners attended the event, which had previously attracted a field of 6,000 from all over the World. Many chose to run virtually this year in their own towns or cities wearing their official race number and were still part of the excitement online.

The elite field remained competitive as always, with wheelchair record holder Richie Powell shaving a few seconds off his record time that was gained in 2016 and finished the race in a staggering 60:54. He was followed by Ron Price in 2nd and Leslie Hampton in 3rd for the wheelchair racers.

Samuel Goodchild of Cornwall AC won 1st place in the men’s race in a time of 1:09:28. 2nd place was taken by David Green of Rugby & Northampton AC, in a time of 1:011:09 and in 3rd place was Michael Roderick of Tri Hard Harriers achieving a time of 1:11:22.

The women’s race was equally competitive, and 1st place went to Commonwealth Games and Team GB athlete Sonia Samuels in an impressive 1:14:09. 2nd place went to Georgia Holden Edwards in a time of 1:19:59 and 3rd place went to Hayley Munn of Rugby Northampton AC in 1:20:05.

Also taking part was Welsh TV presenter, endurance adventurer and athlete Lowri Morgan. She’s well-known for presenting Scrum V and the World Rally Championships and an avid runner that’s not afraid of a challenge. This year was the first time Lowri had participated in the JCP Swansea Half Marathon. She commented:

“I love running in Swansea, it’s such a beautiful city with an amazing coastline, so it’s an absolute delight to be finally taking part in the event! I’ve wanted to participate since it first started back in 2014, but with it being staged in the Summer, my training has never allowed me to. It’s been a tough time for everyone these last couple of years, so it feels great to be back at events, and this one is certainly one I’ll aim to be back for next year!”

Hundreds of charity runners took part in the event for good causes, raising awareness and much-needed funds for their chosen charities. Since so many events had been cancelled during the last 18 months, fundraising is still taking place for the event charity partners; Maggie’s Swansea, Cancer Research UK, and Diabetes UK Cymru so runners fundraising pages will remain open for the few weeks yet.

Team spirit was in full flow as seven companies took on the Corporate Challenge. There was some stiff competition as the teams at Matthews & Co, HMT Sancta Maria, Brecon Carreg, Carmarthenshire Actif, Arvato Bertelsmann and Swansea University were unable to beat off the team at JCP Solicitors.

Other keen runners were sporting their club vests or wearing fancy dress, including the very special Captain Beany, who makes an appearance at the race every year!

David Martin-Jewell added:

“The JCP Swansea Half Marathon is more than just a race it’s about bringing people together to share their challenge and experience. It’s about teamwork, helping the running community achieve their goals in both a mental and physical capacity, providing a platform for charity fundraising and providing volunteering opportunities for people in the city. These are all the reasons we love what we do and hope that we can continue to deliver great events for many years to come.”

The organising team behind the JCP Swansea Half Marathon, Front Runner Events, continues to work tirelessly alongside their trusty team of volunteers, dedicated sector heads and event partners who all help deliver an event Swansea can be proud of. The team continue to work closely with the founding headline sponsors, JCP Solicitors and long-term partners Matthews & Co and HMT Sancta Maria. The event hydration partner remains to be the Welsh favourite Brecon Carreg.

To follow the event pages click on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and tag us in your social posts #RunSwansea #BeYourBest

Ambitious plans for the JCP Swansea Half Marathon could see the rapidly growing race upgraded to international status by 2017.

A third staging of Wales’ second biggest half marathon takes place on June 26, 2016 with organisers anticipating a record field of 8,000 runners, attracted by a scenic, flat course and promise of fast times.  And a first ever five figure entry list will be the goal should future negotiations with athletics’ world governing body, the International Association of Athletics’ Federation, prove successful.

David Martin-Jewell, who shares directorship with Nick Francis, confirmed: “Our goal is to see the JCP Swansea Half Marathon become an IAAF accredited race.  We are aiming to reach bronze level and are putting every effort into achieving it. We are laying foundations in preparation and implementing procedures to help attain this world-renowned status.

“Should we achieve accreditation then there is no reason why the race won’t grow and grow. We have identified what the requirements are and we are working through them.  Obviously, we need everything to fall into place in 2016, but there is nothing to say it couldn’t happen for 2017. We believe that it is a realistic target for us, but it is out of our hands in terms of time scale once we have submitted our application.”

Francis adds: “From a runners’ perspective, we want to develop a race that is value for money, one they enjoy and makes them want to come back year after year.  The course is sensational; you run along a six-mile stretch of Swansea Bay. Everyone mentions the views with some even comparing it to the most scenic race destinations across the World. We want to give the runners the best experience possible.

“By achieving IAAF accreditation it would mean the race becomes better, not only for the guys at the front but for everybody that lines up on the start line.”

As part of the IAAF bid, the JCP Swansea Half Marathon is now affiliated to the Association of International Marathons and Distance races.  Both Martin-Jewell and Francis also recognise an IAAF standard means securing a top class field to go with its elite status.

“We are looking to work with a third party to help sign up some elite runners if necessary,” says Martin-Jewell.

“If the growth for the elite field comes from the UK and Europe we would be satisfied with that, but we also have to keep one eye on the IAAF requirements.  However, our goal is to have at least four internationally recognised runners that could come from any of the home nations, Europe, or further afield, providing they fulfil the IAAF criteria is what’s important. Obtaining IAAF accreditation will help us achieve our goal for our race which is at the top of our agenda.”

Such a move would be a welcome challenge for Welsh runners. Matthew Wells of Bridgend AC clocked 1 hr 14 mins 38 seconds to win the inaugural JCP Swansea Half in 2014. Last June, Dewi Griffiths of Team GB and Swansea Harriers smashed Wells’ course record with a time of 1:06:48 while Lliswerry Runners’ Emma Wookey took the women’s prize in 1:17.51.

They were part of a sell-out, 5,000 strong field made up from 25 countries. A wheelchair race was incorporated for the first time in 2015 while 2016 will see the introduction of two waves of runners to help cope with the extra demand for places.

The JCP Swansea Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 26^th June 2016 on fully closed roads and is quickly becoming a firm favourite amongst the running community. The flat fast course is perfect for beginners, first time half marathon runners and charity runners, whilst attracting a large elite field from Wales and beyond to #RunSwansea.

The race is also a finalist at The Running Awards for the second year in a row.

Starting and finishing in the city centre, the route takes runners along Swansea Bay to The Mumbles and back, featuring six miles of stunning coastline, beautiful views and fantastic crowd support.  A total of 8,000 public and charity places are available for 2016 and entry is open now.

 

The organisers of the JCP Swansea Half Marathon have announced that they are offering all Passport to Leisure card holders discounted entry to the 2016 race in order to make the event more accessible to a wider range of the community and to encourage card holders to sign up for the fitness challenge next June.

The JCP Swansea Half Marathon is amongst only a handful of races in the UK to offer this discount, which highlights the organisers’ passion for the sport and the desire for their event to be inclusive. Running is an easy and affordable option to be active, and registering for a race is the perfect way to ensure focus and motivation in training in the months leading up to the race.

Residents within the City and County of Swansea boundaries who hold a Passport to Leisure are entitled to a third off the public entry fee, bringing the entry fee down to £23. The entry fee includes a medal, technical t-shirt, on route entertainment, post race massage and goody bag for all finishers and will also give the entrants access to HMT Sancta Maria training seminars.

The JCP Swansea Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 26^th June 2016 on fully closed roads and is fast becoming a firm favourite amongst the running community. The flat fast course is perfect for beginners, first time half marathon runners and charity runners, whilst also attracting a large elite field from Wales and beyond to #RunSwansea.

Starting and finishing in the city centre, the route will take runners along Swansea Bay to The Mumbles and back, featuring six miles of stunning coastline, beautiful views and fantastic crowd support. A total of 8,000 public and charity places are available for 2016.

Race Director David Martin-Jewell commented: “We are pleased to offer Passport to Leisure card holders discounted entry to the JCP Swansea Half Marathon 2016. Both Nick and I are passionate runners and we feel very strongly about how running improves your physical and mental well-being, and we are always keen to promote the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle for runners and their families. Now is the ideal time to sign up for the 2016 race and will give you plenty of time to start training and build up the miles. The course is flat and fast with one of the most scenic coastal routes in the UK, and the perfect race to sign up to for all Passport to Leisure card holders.”

Passport to Leisure members must email [email protected] to make an appointment at the organisers’ office in Swansea and they must bring their Passport to Leisure and a valid photo ID in order to secure their entry. The Passport to Leisure must be valid on race day (26^th June 2016) and there is one entry per Passport to Leisure card holder.