Raining Cats & Dogs. Swansea Bay 10k 2018, Gallery 2.

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.

Nice Weather for Ducks. Swansea Bay 10k 2018, Gallery 1.

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.

Swansea Bay 10k 2016, all you need to know.

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.

Running out of Summer, Swansea Bay 10k 2015.

If anything in South Wales marks the end of summer it has to be Swansea Bay 10k. All the regular runners, like Chris Jones above, come out of the woodwork and try their best to run from Swansea to Mumbles and back as fast as they can. These two below were the fastest.

With this lot not far behind.

It was a real family affair this year with my new nephew Ethan cheering his Dad, Matt Bailey on.

Here is Matt taking it all in his stride.

My brother Steve wasn’t far behind raising a finger to say he has got this one!

Swansea Bay 10k regular Sam Donaldson was also not far behind, never afraid to get in a photo. You can spot him in the photos from Swansea Bay 10k 2014 here, and in the photos from Swansea Bay 10k 2013 here.

Fresh from running the Swansea Bay Half Marathon 2015, Morriston Actif Girls Caroline & Tracey were the next smiling faces to come along.  Morriston Actif being Sharon’s running club, there was a lot of cheering going on.

Quickly followed by fellow Morriston Actif runner Karys Dermody.

A surprise entry was Jan Lawrence, but she seemed quite happy taking on the 10km of this renowned road race.

Of course it wouldn’t be Swansea Bay 10k without the Macmillan Mug! We love the mug!

The downward run complete the runners start to return on Swansea Promenade. Mark Gosney setting the 40 minute pace for the real athletes.

Matt Bailey had obviously listened to Ethan’s bib, “run daddy, run”.

Chris Jones wasn’t far behind him tearing up the course.

This year really was a family affair with my other brother, Chris Bidder running too. The Safety Lead on the Darth Mannion (surely that is an oxymoron) Beach & Swamp Run Challenge, he is using this race to prepare for entry to that extreme Gower half marathon himself. You can read Chris’ journey to the Darth here. More information on the Darth Mannion Beach & Swamp Challenge can be found on their website.  Or you can read my report on last year’s Darth Mannion here: Part 1 Pennard Castle, Part 2 Pwll Du River, and Part 3 Brandy Cove Headland. Chris is even wearing their jersey.

My other brother Steve wasn’t far behind Chris digging in for the only hill in this great flat race.

Keeping quiet about the pace, Sam Donaldson was next to take on that hill at 8km.

There he goes.

I was pleased to finally bump into fellow Gower photographer, twitterer and blogger Richie Hammond before the start of the race. Unfortunately his wife Ceri proved too fast to photograph and I only caught her back as she climbed the hill.

Next was Debbie, one of two Mumbles Milers running in the race. To be fair half of them had been on the DimExcuses Big Gower walk yesterday, so they get a pass.

Well done Debbie.

Sorry for anyone I missed this year. I had this fidget under one arm, Molly the Frenchton checking out the route on the Promenade Map.

Molly, Sharon and I cheered in Tracey and Caroline from Sharon’s running club.

The Morriston Actif Runners taking it all in their stride.

Soon followed by Actif Runner Karys who was now running alongside Jan Lawrence.

My Zante 2015 buddy Nicole was next.

Proving the Swansea Bay 10k was not all Greek to her.

Nicole’s sister and another of the Zante 2015 posse Yvette was working really hard to complete her first 10k. She completed the course at a steady pace.

Well done Yvette and all this year’s Swansea Bay 10k runners. If you want to do it next year there is a DimExcuses guide to running the race here. So get your trainers on, DimExcuses.

 

Who wants to do the 10k twice? Swansea Half Marathon 2015

Me, Sharon and Molly are big fans of the Swansea Bay 10k. I even wrote a km by km guide to running the Swansea  Bay 10k that you can read here.  So I was quite excited to get down Swansea bay this Sunday (14/06/15) to see the second Swansea Half Marathon.

That is almost two 10K put together, 12 miles!  It takes in the whole of the Swansea Bay 10k route and a whole lot more.

Molly, Sharon and I where at our usual spot under the speed camera on the Mumbles road on the way down and running over to the Blackpill bridge to catch the runners on the way back.

I have been spectating there since 2008! You can read about the 2014 Swansea Bay 10k here, and the 2013 Swansea Bay 10k here.

Even though this was the Swansea Half Marathon there were lots of familiar faces from the blogs above and some new faces. Anwen Davies and the Superman T-Shirts team seemed in good spirits! There was a definite superhero theme this year.

Swansea University’s Chris Marshall was also making the jump up to half marathon with ease too.

There was a crocodile…

..and Bananaman chasing the previous banana!

Morriston Actif Running Group were represented, you can just see them coming in to view here.

The actif runners hiding behind this orange runner, Rhys has been training them well.

Hold up a finger for every mile done so far ladies.

And there they go.

Swansea Bay 10k Legend Sandra Mitchell, infamous for falling asleep in a porter-loo for an hour during the Paris Marathon was managing to stay awake today.

Swansea Bay 10k pace-setter Mark Gosney was one of the first local runners back across Blackpill Bridge.

Fast as always.

Andrew Wade, the Bishopston Boy now living in the USA, made a trip back across the pond to run in his hometown’s second half marathon.

Chris Jones was almost too fast for my camera, but I just got him. He is now probably sleeping the race off in his VW camper.

Anwen and the Superhero Tees weren’t far behind.

10k regular Chris Kent leads this pack across the bridge even though he has been struggling with injury. Eye of the Tiger stuff.

Tony Henebery ditched is usual 10k fancy dress for this more serious distance.

An epic battle was taking place between the crocodile and Bananaman for fancy dress supermacy at the Swansea Half Marathon.

And here comes Rhys’ Ladies from Morriston Actif. Caroline, Tracy and Sarah from Sharon’s Running Group.

And there they go again. Spot the Boston Terrier.

A bird of prey was starting to circle over Sandra Mitchell and the back runners.

Sandra smashing that Blackpill hill.

What a morning! The second Swansea Half Marathon was a massive success. Loads of runners, loads of spectators and a great atmosphere. Who is running it next year, DimExcuses?

 

Clyne in Bloom, May 2015. #MyGreenSpace

Yesterday saw the start of the #MyGreenSpace campaign to encourage people to discover great outdoor places. So today Molly and I thought we would help you discover a world class green space, Clyne Gardens in Swansea.

This is the best time to see the gardens in their full glory, Clyne in Bloom. The #MyGreenSpace campaign is based in Bridgend County Borough and uses their Natural Neighbourhoods website to help you discover green spaces and things to do outdoors. But there is no reason people outside Bridgend (like Molly and I in Swansea) can’t get involved and discover great green spaces and share them using #MyGreenSpace. Just like I am doing here with Clyne in Bloom. Last week I discovered white bluebells and today I was pleased to find there is no shortage of them in Clyne (below) or in their traditional blue (above).

At the moment Clyne Gardens has spectacular flowering bushes contrasted by wild species in equal bloom like this wild garlic. The aroma is incredible too.

The colours are so vivid and varied.

Molly the French Bulldog couldn’t believe all the colours, smells and textures all around her.

Molly and I visited Clyne in Bloom last year and we especially like the giant rhubarb like Gunnera plants. We visited Clyne in the middle of winter and saw the Gunnera wilted away and rotted down, but I am glad to say our favorite giant rhubarb was back in full bloom in my green space.

I know it is not related to Rhubarb by the way.

Just don’t tell Molly, who was keeping it calm and keeping casual under the giant rhubarb.

It is quite a magnificent plant.

Molly was more interested in the flowers.

And what a range of flowers you can see at Clyne in Bloom.

What better way to get involved with the #MyGreenSpace campaign than discovering the great green space of Clyne Gardens, Swansea? Why not get out and photograph your favorite green spaces and tag them #MyGreenSpace for someone else to discover on social media? Get involved, DimExcuses.

 

The Dog Ban and Gower Beaches, all you need to know.

From 1st May to 30th September there are restrictions for dogs on Gower beaches and certain seafronts. In the winter my french bulldog cross Molly and I are constantly found checking out the winter swells at Langland and Caswell. With the arrival of May we have to leave our beach winter wonderland, but don’t worry there are great Gower beaches open to dogs all year. Here is a guide to where they are and all you need to know about the Gower beach dog bans.

From May 1st to Sept 30th here is a list of beaches where dogs are not allowed:

• Swansea Bay – from the River Tawe to the slip opposite Victoria Park and from the beach access at Sketty Lane to the northern edge of the slip at the West Cross Inn
• Bracelet Bay
• Limeslade Bay
• Rotherslade Bay
• Langland Bay
• Caswell Bay
• Port Eynon beach – from the eastern edge of the steps to Port Eynon beach to the eastern edge of Horton beach access.

So that is where you and your canine best friend can’t go in Gower from May 1st. But don’t panic here are the beaches Molly and I recommend that are open to dogs all year, or what we call our endless summer.

Dogs are limited on these beaches:

• Swansea Bay – from the slip opposite Victoria Park to the beach access at Sketty Lane
• Horton – from the lifeguard station east towards Oxwich
• Port Eynon (from the main steps west to the Salt House

But DimExcuses don’t restrict your dog, go wild on these great Gower beaches all summer:

Pobbles

Three Cliffs

Tor Bay
Oxwich
Mewslade

Rhossili

Llangennith
Broughton
Whiteford Sands

Swansea Council require that you keep your dog on a lead on the following paths.

• The entire promenade at Swansea Bay (from the River Tawe to the Knab Rock car park, Mumbles)
• The promenades at Langland Bay and Rotherslade
• The promenade at Caswell Bay.

I interpret these bylaws being enforced in the same 1st May to 30th September dog ban season as the beaches, but don’t take my word for that as I am no lawyer, and Swansea Council threaten a £500 fine for breaching the dog ban and £200 for breaching the lead rules. Molly says she can’t see how that could be enforceable for any visitor committing an offence out of ignorance, but again she too isn’t a lawyer and is also a bulldog. But with the information above you will be able to exercise your dog on Gower within the law with no worries, DimExcuses.

Darth Mannion 2015 Part 3, Return of the Jedi.

Just like the for the runners themselves it has been a long hard haul to get to the end of my original trilogy of posts on the Darth Mannion 2015 Beach & Swamp Run Challenge. You can read part 1 here and part 2 here. But all things must come to an end and I better press on or be caught up by the dreaded Silent Sweeper, the official back marker.

The Silent Sweeper wasn’t catching these runners as they took the coast path from Pwll Du to Brandy Cove.

Chris Kent was looking relieved to be nearing the finish as he climbed the final hill out of Brandy Cove.

Pausing to only take the wonder of nature under a massive tree.

Robin Benton was also in good spirits bringing his peloton home.

From the climb out of Brandy Cove it is a quick and much needed flat run across Pwll Du Head under the watchful eye of the hardworking volunteer Marshals and official Darth Mannion Saftey Lead Chris Bidder. Spectators were few and far between, but their cheering support was welcome relief. After cheering everyone in, one spectator was a little horse.

It was all smiles coming in, and the runners were now starting to enjoy the race.

With the stunning scenery of South Gower behind them, runners finish in South Gower Rugby Club for a heroes welcome and a lap around the field over hay bails before crossing the prestigious finish line.

So the 6th year of the Darth Mannion was a massive success. A full gallery of the final stages of the race is below (click on images to open), and with over a hundred runners getting involved it can only be bigger and better next year.  Maybe you should enter, DimExcuses.

Sun Runners. Swansea Bay 10K 2014.

Swansea Bay 10K is one of the most rated road races in the UK. The venue, the organisation, the atmosphere and view combine with an almost horizontal course that make it a road and fun runners favorite. Add to that a big dollop of Sun and another glorious mild September day which we are having at the moment and you get a classic race to remember.

The Mumbles road was closed to accommodate the full field of 3000 runners, including Jane Richards and @stukulele. This guy was in front at 2km. I don’t know his name, look it up in the running mags, I document the ‘have a go heroes’.

He was closely followed by this lot! Chris Kent is in there somewhere.

The pack included, what I am guessing is a beach wheelchair?

At 5km the runners leave Mumbles Road and run back in Swansea Bay itself on Swansea Promenade. Andrew Davies is running super fast these days, and has just come back from doing his first Ironman race. Luckily I saw his hat coming, usually he is moving too quick for a good photo.

Here is Mark Grosney running as a pace maker. Great to see pace makers as an addition to this race, invaluable for runners to make sure that they don’t go too fast, too early.

Chris Kent made sure he got in the forefront of this photo.

The race for me isn’t over until I see the Macmillan Mug guys. In today’s Sun their effort was even more Herculean than normal. Go guys, we love the mug.

Swansea Bay 10K is a great road race for fun runners, or in today’s case Sun Runners. You might think about running next year, DimExcuses.

A full Gallery of pictures is below.

A hidden Swansea Gem. Penllergare Valley Woods. Spring 2014

I always thought that the woods in Penllergaer were an untapped asset, we used to use them as a ‘Walking the Way 2 Health’ walk for City & County of Swansea employees based in the adjoining offices.  Now those woods have taken on a life of their own. Reverting to the traditional spelling Penllergare Valley Woods is a ‘One Historic Garden’ project managed by volunteers.  You can read their blog here.

I visited the woods just after New Year and i was very impressed with the improvements that had been done in the valley and how the paths had been opened up.  This is a great all weather walking venue (if you have your boots on).

The volunteers are doing a great job restoring the Victorian features of the wood and there are some great paths to explore along rivers and lakes.  Molly brought her friend Eddie along to jump in the river.

In the center of the park are some spectacular waterfalls which really caught Molly’s eye! A hydro-generation energy project has also been installed to produce renewable energy as part of the scheme.

It is a paradise for dogs. It is a great walking venue for a short walk to take in some quality green space. The restoration comes with a new car park for a small pay & display charge, and the paths are very accessible from there.

Molly hadn’t seen a waterfall before, it was a lot different from the waves she is used to at the beach.

It didn’t take her long to get stranded on a rock in the river (#AdventuresOFMolly).

The Penllergare Valley Woods are so near us and so easy to get to we will definitely be coming back regularly, and I look forward to seeing how the project develops.

It is very easy to drive to being just off Junction 47 of the M4 by the Council Offices. And most importantly they have a great new Cafe staffed by volunteers and full of cake!

So you now have no excuse not to visit for a walk, DimExcuses.