Swansea is getting its own marathon. The Great Welsh Marathon is leaving Pembrey Country Park after more than ten years, and from Sunday 17 October 2027 it will run through the city and along Swansea Bay.
Organisers Front Runner Events say 7,500 runners would make it Wales’ largest city marathon. Entry is staged over this weekend, with general entries from Saturday.
The firm already runs the Swansea Half Marathon each June. Organisers said in May that the half moves to 21 March 2027, so the city would have a spring half and an autumn full marathon next year.
One loop, no out-and-back: what we know about the Swansea marathon route
The full route will not be revealed until November, but organisers say it will be a single 26.2-mile loop, starting and finishing in the city, rather than an out-and-back course.
It will take in the city’s landmarks and run along the bay, they say, and the move allows a wheelchair race to be introduced.
A loop through the city centre and along the bay on a Sunday morning will mean road closures. The route, and with it any closures, will not be published until November, and the organisers have said nothing about them yet.
Race director Tash Smith said: “Our ambition is to create a marathon that runners want to travel to, that local runners are proud of and that showcases everything this city has to offer. We are particularly excited about the route and the opportunity to make the event more inclusive and accessible.”
Why the Great Welsh Marathon is leaving Pembrey after ten years
The race has run from Pembrey Country Park since Front Runner took it on a decade ago, usually in spring.
In 2024 more than 1,000 runners took on the full and half distances there, and the marathon course record fell for a second year running.
Founder David Martin-Jewell said: “Carmarthenshire has been a fantastic home, but as the event has grown in the last few years it has naturally outgrown its location.”
“We have had the ambition to bring the Great Welsh to Swansea for many years, so it is with much excitement we are finally in a position to do so,” he said.
Cancer Research Wales is the first charity partner
Cancer Research Wales is the race’s first headline charity partner. The charity, in its 60th year, says it funds research at Swansea University into early cancer detection and new treatments.
Its chief executive Adam Fletcher said: “Bringing together thousands of runners, our 60th year and world-leading cancer research taking place here in Wales makes this a particularly meaningful partnership for us.”
Council leader Rob Stewart said: “A marathon of this scale will bring significant opportunities for local businesses, hospitality and tourism, while showcasing Swansea and Swansea Bay to visitors from across the UK and overseas.”
How to enter the Great Welsh Marathon 2027
Cancer Research Wales fundraisers were given first access to places on Thursday. Waitlist invitations go out today, and general entries open on Saturday 17 October.
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