Runners will hurtle across the sands of Swansea Bay on Tuesday, July 29, in aid of the RNLI’s Summer Sprint, to raise funds for the charity’s lifeguards.
The Bay will provide the scenic backdrop for hundreds of runners taking part in a 10k run on that evening in aid of the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea.
The starting horn will blast at 7pm, marking the beginning of RNLI Lifeguard Week, seven days of activities across lifeguarded beaches in England and Wales, the aim of which is to help raise funds for the service and increase awareness of the sea safety messages the charity promotes.
The runners will also link up with participants in a sponsored Welly Walk, to raise funds for the RNLI’s Mumbles Tamar Lifeboat appeal, which is starting at the Junction Café, Blackpill and will walk to Swansea’s Civic Centre to the starting point of the Summer Sprint.
Members of Mumbles Surf Livesaving Club will also be doing their bit to help raise funds for the RNLI by supplying volunteers on the day to help the Summer Sprint run smoothly.
This challenging 10k and 5k run is a unique running event, with an evening start to ensure low tides and a clear beach stretch.
Participants will have the option of entering a 500-metre fun sprint, a 5k run or walk, or taking part in the ultimate 10k challenge.
All events will start on the beach outside the Civic Centre in Swansea and the 10k run will head towards Blackpill, taking in the spectacular views of the bay and beyond. The 10k race begins at 7pm and the 5k race begins at 7.30pm.
There will also be a series of 500m sprints for the under-16s to take part in, starting at 7pm. Entries cost £12.50 for the 10k race and £10 for the 5k race, and entry is on a first come, first served basis for the 499 places available.
Registration will be held in the Civic Centre, where refreshments, cloakroom, and parking will be available. There will be prizes for the race winners (male and female) courtesy of Up and Running Swansea and The George.
There will also be squash and nibbles for all participants at The George (Salt) The Mumbles after the race.
RNLI events manager West, Charlotte Bird, said: ‘Two out of three people visit the seaside at least once a year. Having lifeguards on beaches saves lives – not only through rescues but also through educating beach users in the safest way to enjoy the beach.
‘Ninety-five per cent of the work that RNLI lifeguards do is preventative and supported by our national beach safety and schools education programme.
‘The summer sprint in Swansea is part of a national series of summer sprints. One sprint will also be taking place on Crosby beach in Merseyside on Saturday, 31 July, at 9.30am, where the course goes along the beach through Anthony Gormley’s Another Place installation.
‘There will also be summer sprints at Gwithian Beach Cornwall (5 August) and at Snetterton Race Circuit, Norfolk (30 July).’
The RNLI is also looking for at least 20 volunteers to assist with marshalling, water station and finish-line duties on the evening of July 29.
Anyone interested in participating in the race or being a volunteer assistant should contact RNLI events manager Charlotte Bird on 0121 780 6960 or email [email protected]
