Here is the second gallery from Darth Mannion X. The Darth Mannion Beach and Swamp Run Challenge 2019.
The first gallery can be found here.
The third gallery can be found here.
The main Darth Mannion X page can be found here.
Click on a thumbnail to open the images.
A little later in the year, and a little later in the day, Gower’s favorite beach and swamp challenge, the Darth Mannion returns for its tenth year. Also returning was a bit of Gower sun for the brave long distance, river running, sea submerging athletes who dare to enter it. A welcome return from the snow of last year.
Photos from previous years can be found here:
You can see all the action for Dartha Mannion X 2019 below:
All done, see you next year, DimExcuses.
Just like last year, Swansea Bay 10k was a total washout in 2018. The downward stretch wasn’t too bad, you can see gallery 1 here, but by the return it was hammering it down.
But Swansea Bay runners are a hardy lot and thousands charged through despite the rain. The only tougher bunch was us spectators who didn’t get to run to keep warm.
No matter what the weather though it is still one of the best 10k races in the UK.
Here is the full gallery 2 showing the runners in their rain washed glory, and don’t worry I will see you all next year, no matter what the weather is throws at me, DimExcuses.
Firstly apologies that it has taken me a couple of weeks to put these pictures up, I have been really busy. This year’s 10k was a total wash out, with runners and spectators getting totally soaked. Very similar to last year then.
Here is a gallery of the runners heading down to Mumbles on the first 5k. The rain held off for this bit, it was on the way back that it poured down. I was is my usual spot at Blackpill.
So here is the first gallery in all its glory. Gallery 2 can be seen here. click on the thumbnails to open any picture, DimExcuses.
The Darth Mannion Beach and Swamp Challenge, the Gower cross county half marathon is tough at the best of times. You can see how tough it was in previous years here:
This year the weather forecast was really bad. The Beast from the East weather system that brought the country to a stand still a week ago was making its return with bitter winds, low temperatures and snow forecast.
Some of the sea submersion had to be left out of the route, because of a real threat of participant hypothermia. The route was also changed to take out the steep decent at Pennard Castle and Three Cliffs Valley featured more. You can see why the Pennard Castle Decent was wisely removed in these amazing photos from 2015.
The race is getting so popular that the field is getting larger every year. This meant that by the time everyone had passed me I was unable to get to Pwll Du Bay, as I have done in previous years, but this allowed me to get some new shots in Three Cliffs Bay and Pobbles Bay. The full galleries can be seen in the links below.
Darth Mannion 2018. Gallery 1.
Darth Mannion 2018. Gallery 2.
Darth Mannion 2018. Gallery 3.
Darth Mannion 2018. Gallery 4.
There are some epic shots as this Monster Gower Run hit the Beast from the East head on, but there were also a lot of smiles over a lot of miles. I am sure many will be back next year and hoping for a return to more spring like weather, DimExcuses.
There are rain showers and then there is basically being within a rain cloud! It started raining half an hour before this years’ Swansea Bay 10k, and it did not stop, it just varied in intensity. I always photograph Swansea Bay 10k whatever the weather. You can see photos from previous years in the links below.
Photos of Swansea Bay 10k 2016.
Photos of Swansea Bay 10k 2015.
Photos of Swansea Bay 10k 2014.
Photos of Swansea Bay 10k 2013.
Everyone was so wet they may as well have just swam the distance. The runners were soaked, and us spectators were both wet and cold. It was a baptism of fire (or should I say water) for runners new to the race like DimExcuses MTBer Phil Marshall above.
The runners were pleased to see us at the 8km mark, Lizzie Marshall here managing a drenched smile. Proving our hardcore, me and my friend Ade were proper DimExcuses standing for an hour and a half in the relentless rain to get the action shots. Like this one of Mark Gosney powering up the Blackpill Hill.
It was great to see all the regulars and the new faces, like Rob Griff swapping his skis for trainers below.
There is a full gallery of all the pictures from the race below. If you would like to run it next year, here is my guide to running the race km by km. Maybe I will be photographing you next year, DimExcuses.
This is the forth gallery from the Darth Mannion Beach and Swamp Run Challenge 2017. You can find an index of all four galleries here. Click on any of the thumbnails below to open and view the gallery, DimExcuses.
This is my third year photographing the Darth Mannion Beach and Swamp Run Challenge (to give it it’s full name).
You can see photos from 2016 here, and photos from 2015 here.
This year was the biggest and best so far. The route was longer, but still included the fiver runs and sea dips that this extreme Gower half marathon is famous for. The number of runners was also up with well over 400 runners this year.
The weather was worse than previous years with high winds and heavy mist. How can you even have those two weather conditions at the same time?
But it is the spirit of the Darth that everyone gets round the course and finish with big smiles.
I am slowing working through my photos and I will get them all up by the end of the weekend. The following links will be clickable once they are available.
Time for me to get editing, DimExcuses.
What a lovely day in Swansea Bay, unless you were planning on running 10 kilometers on the seafront in Swansea Bay 10k 2016. One of the best road races in the UK, the virtually flat course takes in the wide sweep of Swansea Bay along the Wales Coast Path. You can read a km by km guide to the course here.
The weather was warm with little wind, hot conditions for a long road race. The Kenyans above just took it in their stride leading the race from the beginning. But you didn’t have to wait long to see some familiar Swansea runners. Andrew Frazier setting a blistering pace.
Chris Jones was next smashing almost 10 minutes off his time from last year.
You can see photos from Swansea Bay 10k 2015 here.
You can see photos from Swansea Bay 10k 2014 here.
You can see photos from Swansea Bay 10k 2013 here.
A familiar face in Swansea Bay 10k photos above, Sam Donaldson was running this year too. Here he is at just past the 2km mark at Blackpill.
Closely followed by another Swansea Bay 10k veteran Luke Millward.
Jan Lawrence was next completing her second year in the Swansea Bay 10k, running for the Salisbury NICU premature baby unit that had just treated her latest grandson.
This year the sisters were doing it for themselves, with both my sister and sister-in-law running. First to reach us at 2km was my sister-in-law Caz.
My sister Michelle wasn’t far behind, cheered on by a big family turn out.
The great thing about spectating at Blackpill is as soon as most of the runners are past you the elite runners are running back on the promenade behind you. So I ran over to my usual spot to catch the runners coming over the bridge. Here is the fight for first place.
The first women runner was an equally fierce battle.
The rest of the elite runners were next.
The usual suspects weren’t far behind them. Andrew Frazier not dropping any pace in the heat.
Chris Jones setting a personal best for this race.
There he goes, jostling for places on the hill climb.
Some were taking it a little less seriously.
But there were still some seriously fast runners in the far from ideal hot conditions. It was the lack of wind more than the temperature.
I just missed Sam Donaldson on his return run. Here is his back as he climbs the hill.
Frances Samuel was the next familar face I spotted in the crowds.
The hill being her least favorite part of the course.
Clare was the next to tackle the hill.
I even spotted one of my old students, giving a big thumbs up.
Luke looked pleased to have got to almost 8km into the race.
My nieces were thrilled to see their mum Caz safely past the Blackpill bridge…
…and onto the hill. I thought Grace would start running with her.
My Sister Michelle was marking a return to the 10k after having a baby and was joined by her fellow Paul Popham running club members.
Just demolishing the hill towards the final 2km.
Was that sports development legend Tom Jones I spotted amidst this year’s runners? Surely not?
It was all over too fast.
It certainly was a hot one, and none like it hot! Everyone made it home safe though and all had a big smile on their face. A fantastic Swansea Bay 10k 2016, see you next year, DimExcuses.
This Sunday is the Swansea Bay 10k 2016. One of the best road race 10ks in the UK it has a fantastic almost totally flat route combined with the stunning back drop of Swansea Bay. Here is everything you need to know about the Swansea Bay 10k 2016.
Firstly if you are running the race for the first time, you need to read my km by km guide to running this classic race by clicking here.
When is the Swansea Bay 10k 2016? The race is at 1pm Sunday 18th September 2016.
Where is the Swansea Bay 10k 2016? Starting at St. Helen’s Rugby Ground (SA2 0AR) the race heads 5km down the Mumbles Road to the village of Mumbles where the runners turn around in Oystermouth Square (SA3 4DN). Runners then return on Swansea Promenade to the finish at the Cenotaph on the promenade opposite the St. Helen’s Rugby Ground start.
How do I get to the Swansea Bay 10k 2016? This is a busy race with around 3000 competitors. It will be very busy at the start. Car parking is available around the Rugby Ground, organizers suggest SA1 4PQ for your SatNav. Because that area will be very congested I would advise parking around the Guildhall (SA1 4PE) and a taking a short walk to the start. Other parking is available at Swansea Civic Centre (SA1 3SN).
Allow plenty of time to get there by car. The road closes at 12pm so make sure you get there before that.
From the city centre the following buses will take you to St Helen’s Rugby Ground: 2a 10.00, 10.30, 11.00, 11.30 3a 11.50
Are there photographs of previous Swansea Bay 10ks? I have been photographing the Swansea Bay 10k at Blackpill every year since 2008. Here are the highlights of previous years:
Swansea Bay 10k photographs & review 2013, click here.
Swansea Bay 10k photographs & review 2014, click here.
Swansea Bay 10k photographs & review 2015, click here.
Most importantly how do I get my photo of my heroic Swansea Bay 10k run immortalized in these reviews? I always take photos at Blackpill which is a quarter of the way into the race. I take photos of runners going down the Mumbles Road.
I then cross over to the Blackpill Lido to take photos of the runners coming back along the promenade, entering the last quarter of the race. I take photos as people cross the bridge at Blackpill Lido. Give me a shout and I will endeavor to get you on camera. Contact me on race day by tweeting what you are wearing so I can spot you at @DimExcuses on twitter, or on the DimExcuses facebook page.
Finally are there any official website pages for the Swansea Bay 10k? Yes, there is an official website you can find here, and an official race day guide you can find here.
So that is all you need to know about the Swansea Bay 10k 2016, if you are running good luck, if you aren’t get down there an cheer the runners on, DimExcuses.
DimExcuses 