About Us
Swansea Harriers is a competitive UK Athletics affiliated volunteer run club founded in 1962. Since then the club has developed and caters for athletes from beginners all the way up to Great Britain and Welsh international athletes in junior, senior & masters (35+) age groups. Our teams compete in regional Welsh and UK leagues, on and off track. Our members have won numerous Welsh and British titles individually and at as a team too numerous to list! Swansea Harriers were voted “UK Athletics Club of the Year” in 2009 and again in 2014, we have been Welsh Athletics Club Of The Year on numerous occasions.
The Club achieved charitable status in 2018 (Registered Charity Number 1177846) and currently has over 600 members including all our volunteers. We participate in Track & Field, Cross Country, Road Running, Race Walking and Fell Running.
Swansea Harriers is a competitive club and we welcome new members, you don’t need to have any experience just an enthusiasm to learn. Anyone who is interested and is prepared to compete for the club when selected is welcome as a member. There is no maximum age to join the club however the minimum Age = school year 5.
Swansea Harriers are based at Swansea University Athletics Centre, Sketty Lane, Swansea, SA2 9AU.
Joining & renewal fees are £55 for over 19 and £45 for under 19 that lapse each 1st April. To request a club membership form please email the membership Secretary at [email protected] for existing club members it is explained how you can renew your membership here.
Every member is expected to represent the club in competition appropriate to their ability when they feel ready to do so. Every effort is made to ensure that new members are quickly integrated into the club. Emphasis is placed on enjoyment and participation.
Track & Field Seniors & Juniors Training
Around fifty different training sessions are held 7 days a week depending on age group, ability and event discipline. Please get in touch for specific details.
In addition there are several junior groups in Swansea Harriers. Initially all new junior starters attend one of the development fundamental & foundation groups:
Swansea Harriers Development fundamental & foundation groups for school years 5 to 11 train on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays at the Indoor Athletics Centre Swansea University. The session times are from 5pm to 6.15pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday plus 6.30pm to 8pm Wednesday. These groups cover all athletics events following a run jump throw curriculum, and initially focus on the process of acquisition of event skill development rather than performance outcome. More specific detail on the coaching athlete development pathway can be found here Swansea Harriers Athlete Development Pathway Version 5 Training Subs are £3.50 which by contactless only and must be paid on arrival before training, at the Club Cafe. For further details phone 078 9457 3555 or [email protected]
Off Track Seniors Training
We have a thriving Senior and Masters (35+) running scene at Swansea Harriers. Our Tuesday and Thursday group is for women and men aged 17+. Our current members range from 17 to 70. The group is for anyone who runs to a reasonable level already, and wants to improve such as runners who can run a 10km in around 50 minutes or less, or a half marathon in 2 hours or less. We have runners who like any distance, but particularly those who like 5K upwards, all the way to ultra marathons including fans of any surface; track, road, trail, cross country and multi terrain!
We meet at Swansea University inside the foyer near the running track on Ashleigh Road, SA2 9AU every Tuesday and Thursday, from around 6.15 pm, for sessions that usually last until 8pm, and we tend to cover 6-9 miles.
We offer the chance to meet like-minded runners, and train in a supportive group environment. There is a varied programme, from short intervals to long tempo runs, sessions on track, cycle path, pavement, grass, beach and hills. It is a “no pressure” environment. The cost is relatively low with no charge for most training sessions, except for track sessions which are £3.50.
After a few sessions you will need to join Swansea Harriers. You will then have the opportunity to compete for Swansea Harriers in individual and team events, when you are ready. Annual membership is £55, this includes membership to the club, the Governing Body of Welsh Athletics and personal insurance. Joining fees are £55 for over 19 and £45 for under 19, to request a club membership form please email the membership Secretary at [email protected] In addition you will receive a £2 discount when you enter governing body licenced races. For existing club members it is explained how you can renew your membership here.
The hardest part is often turning up to your first session. Due to the great group atmosphere, people inevitably return and there is a great social side to Swansea Harriers too. There is also a faster training group that meets Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, please ask. If you are keen, next step is to just turn up or you can also contact Andrew Jenkins the Club Coaching Coordinator on 078 94 57 35 55 or [email protected] We have a Facebook page (closed group), for which you can view the home page. If you become involved in training with the Club, you can then request to join. We hope to see you soon!
Satellite Sessions School Year 4 & Below:
Athletes must be in school year 5 and above to join Swansea Harriers. However there are two satellite clubs linked to Swansea Harriers with partner organizations, that children can attend before progressing to the club. These sessions provide a grounding in all fundamental running, jumping and throwing activities, making the transition to Swansea Harriers much smoother:
Thursdays 4pm to 5pm; at Swansea University Indoor Track, SA2 9AU. School Year 4 only, fees are £44 for a 10 week term, there are the course each year in line with school terms. All sessions are expertly delivered by our UK Athletics qualified athletics coaches. Over the 10 week period athletes will cover all running, jumping and throwing events. For more information and to apply click here or contact Andrew Phillips on [email protected]
Wednesdays LC Swansea Harriers satellite club in partnership and at LC2 Swansea, SA1 3ST is for athletes in primary school aged 5 to 12 years old inclusive. This is an established satellite session that has been in place for 9 years! The times are 4.15pm to 5.00pm for 5 to 7 years olds and 5.00pm to 5.45pm for 8 to 12 year olds. Costs are £5 a session – booked as a course, to reserve a place phone the LC2 on 01792 466500. This course will follow the run, jump, throw curriculum over a 10 week term concluding with awards & challenges.