GOWER: Only four locals took part last year — can Swansea’s own backyard event tempt more to take the plunge this June?

Hundreds of athletes will descend on Gower on 20 June for the third Gritty Rascals Swimrun Gower — an endurance event that takes competitors on a continuous journey of running and open-water swimming along one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in Britain.

And yet last year, only four people from the local area entered — meaning the vast majority of those experiencing the Gower coast from the water and the clifftops were travelling from elsewhere in the UK or further afield.

Organisers are hoping to change that. “We have competitors travel from across the UK and Europe to compete and this year we’re keen to welcome more local athletes to enter,” said Gary Pavitt, founder of Gritty Rascals Events.

Unlike a triathlon, swimrun involves no transition. Competitors run in their wetsuits and swim in their trainers, alternating between cross-country running and open-water swimming throughout the entire race — without changing kit.

This year’s event offers three course lengths. The Sprint Course (12km) is aimed at first-timers and newcomers to the sport. The Gritty Course (21km) offers a half-marathon equivalent for those wanting a stiff challenge.

The Full Course (41km) — starting at Rhossili Bay and finishing in Mumbles — is the ultimate test, and has this year been designated an ÖTILLÖ Merit Race, allowing competitors to earn global ranking points towards the Swimrun World Championships.

The Full Course takes competitors on a route most locals will recognise stretch by stretch — a technical swim from Tears Point to Mewslade Bay, cliff top running to Port Eynon, a crossing of Port Eynon Bay, then on through Oxwich, around Tor Point, into Pwll Du, across to Brandy Cove, Caswell Bay, Langland Bay and Rotherslade before a final climb up Mumbles Hill to the finish line.

Competitor Stacey Bramhall, who is also involved in promoting the event, said the experience of seeing Gower from both the coastal path and the water was unlike anything else.

“There is honestly nothing quite like the perspective of seeing Gower’s beauty from the coast path and the water,” she said. “The sense of achievement when you finish the race makes it all 100% worth doing.”

For those nervous about the swimming sections, the organisers point to an extensive water safety team who are in the water throughout. “We have a huge support team who are in the water for every stroke to support swimmers whether it’s their first swimrun or fifth,” said Pavitt.

Transport to the start lines is provided, with all courses finishing back in Mumbles. The event hub, registration and finish line are all based there, giving spectators a base for the day.

The Gritty Rascals Swimrun Gower takes place on Saturday 20 June 2026. Registration is open now at grittyrascals.com.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Gower news from Swansea Bay News
The latest stories from Gower and the surrounding area.

Mumbles news from Swansea Bay News
All our latest coverage from Mumbles.

£80,000 upgrade completed on Gower coast path between Rotherslade and Limeslade

Swansea Council has completed the final two sections of the coast path between Rotherslade and Limeslade, installing a 310‑metre concrete path that is 1.5 metres wide.

The full route stretches for 1.7km and has been subject to repeated works in recent years due to coastal erosion. In March, a new 450‑metre section was added, following a 270‑metre stretch completed in 2022.

The latest upgrade forms part of an £80,000 investment funded through the council’s highways maintenance programme.

Path strengthened against erosion

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said thousands of people use the Gower coast path each year and the council has acted to protect it.

“The section between Limeslade and Rotherslade has unfortunately been a victim of coastal erosion in recent years, and we have done all we can to create new sections and divert it away from the affected area. This has also given us the opportunity to create a more accessible walking route that everyone can access.”

Accessible for all

Cllr Stevens added:

“We have now completed the final two short sections that have not been upgraded. While they were not impacted by coastal erosion, they now provide improved access for families with pushchairs and also wheelchair users. We’ve chosen to invest some of our highways and transport budget to enable the upgrade to take place.”

Part of wider All Wales Coast Path

Swansea’s section of the All Wales Coast Path was officially opened in 2012, linking 61km of coastline around the peninsula. Walkers can trek from Swansea’s SA1 waterfront through Caswell Bay, Port Eynon, Rhossili and Llanmadoc, right through to Loughor.

#cllrAndrewStevens #footpath #gower #gowerCoastPath #limeslade #rotherslade #swanseaCouncil #walesCoastPath

Final stretch of Gower coast path to be upgraded by end of 2025

Swansea Council has confirmed that two remaining sections — totalling just over 300 metres — will be resurfaced and widened by the end of next year, following earlier improvements funded through the Welsh Government’s Wales Coast Path grant scheme.

The upgrade will mean temporary closures along parts of the route, with diversion signs in place to guide walkers.

In recent years, the path has been rerouted to avoid areas affected by coastal erosion. A 450-metre section was completed in March, adding to a 270-metre diversion built in 2022.

Now, the Council is investing £80,000 from its highways and transport budget to finish the job.

“A well-loved asset for the city”

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the path was one of Swansea’s most popular walking routes.

“Thousands of people walk it each year. The section between Limeslade and Rotherslade has unfortunately been a victim of coastal erosion in recent years, and we’ve done all we can to create new sections and divert it away from the affected area.”

He said the final upgrades would improve accessibility for families with pushchairs and wheelchair users.

“There are now two short sections that have not been upgraded. While they’re not currently impacted by erosion, they would benefit from a similar upgrade to the others. We’ve chosen to invest in this work to make sure the route is safe, accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”

The Gower coast path forms part of the wider Wales Coast Path, which stretches 870 miles around the country’s shoreline.

#CllrAndrewStevens #coastalErosion #Gower #GowerCoastPath #Limeslade #Rotherslade #SwanseaCouncil #WalesCoastPath

Autumn start for final upgrade to Gower coast path

A brand new 450 metre section of path was created in March this year, and is in addition to a previous section, stretching for a further 270 metres, which was completed in 2022. 

Both new sections were created as a diversion away from the original path which was affected by coastal erosion. The upgrades were funded via the Welsh Government’s Wales Coast Path grant scheme.

The ongoing upgrade to the path now leaves two remaining sections to be completed between Rotherslade and Limeslade, providing visitors with a fully accessible route, wide enough for wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs.

Swansea Council is investing £80,000 to complete the upgrade, as part of its overall plans to maintain roads and walking routes across the city.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“The Gower coast path is an extremely popular and a well-loved asset for the city. Thousands of people walk it each year.

“The section between Limeslade and Rotherslade has unfortunately been a victim of coastal erosion in recent years, and we have done all we can to create new sections and divert it away from the affected area.

“This has also given us the opportunity to create a more accessible walking route that everyone can access.

“There are now two short sections that have not been upgraded and while they are not being impacted by coastal erosion, the overall would benefit from a similar upgrade to the others.

“We’ve chosen to invest some of our highways and transport budget to enable the upgrade to take place.

“Our intention is to wait until the busy summer period has ended and our chosen contractors will be able to move on site and complete the job.”

Swansea’s section of the All Wales Coast Path was officially opened in 2012, where 61km of coast path have been joined together to enable walkers to trek from Swansea’s waterfront in SA1 and walk right through to Loughor, travelling through Caswell Bay, Port Eynon, Rhossili and Llanmadoc.

A further 1.5km of coast path has also previously been upgraded between Caswell Bay and Langland.

[Lead image: Swansea Council]

#Limeslade #Rotherslade #SwanseaCouncil #WalesCoastPath

Scenic Gower footpath to get further upgrades

In recent years, the council says its Countryside Access Team has been targeting sections of path in need of upgrading as well as rerouting other sections that have been affected by coastal erosion.

A 450m section of path has recently been completed between Limeslade and Rotherslade and follows on from similar work in the same area where 270m of accessible path was created.

Both new sections were required due to coastal erosion near to the original paths.

Now the council is investing a further £80k to complete the Limeslade to Rotherslade section by upgrading the remaining 250m of path along the route, and will feature a wider accessible concrete surface that can be used by all walkers and users of wheelchairs and buggies.

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “The Gower coast path is a hugely popular, much-loved destination used all year round.

“We’ve identified a section of path between Limeslade and Rotherslade that we want to tackle and bring it up to the same standard as other sections nearby.

“Additional funding within our highways maintenance programme has been secured to enable us to complete this work this year and ensure the route is one of the best around the Wales coastline.”

A further 1.5km of coast path has also previously been upgraded between Caswell Bay and Langland.

Swansea’s section of the All Wales Coast Path was officially opened in 2012, where 61km of coast path have been joined together to enable walkers to trek from Swansea’s waterfront in SA1 and walk right through to Loughor, travelling through Caswell Bay, Port Eynon, Rhossili and Llanmadoc.

Cllr Stevens added: “I believe the stretch of coast path along Swansea and Gower boasts some of the most breathtaking views along the Welsh coastline. It’s truly stunning, and I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t walked it yet to take a stroll and experience its beauty.”

(Lead image: Swansea Council)

#CllrAndrewStevens #footpath #Gower #Limeslade #Rotherslade #SwanseaCouncil

Swansea Council has secured funding from the Welsh Government to help provide a new 370 metre section of coast path between Rotherslade and Limeslade.

The latest planned improvements follow on from coastal erosion which has previously occurred near to the existing route and has prompted the Council’s Countryside Access Team to look at developing an alternative route which will help maintain the continuous route that stretches along the entire Gower coastline.

Plans will include the introduction of a fully accessible 1.5 metre-wide concrete path, suitable for walkers, parents with baby buggies and also wheelchair users.

Works are expected to get underway later this month and will require the temporary closure of the existing section to allow the work to be completed.

Closure notices are due to be erected near to the route to inform path-users of the future closure.

Andrew Steven, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“The coast path around Gower is a popular and much loved destination that is walked all year round.

“Coastal erosion is something we need to respond to when it impacts on the route. A recent collapse of the cliffside near to the route has prompted us to take immediate action.

“Whilst the existing route is currently safe for users, we do need to take action to create a new route further inland.

“This will be completed later this year and will enable us to install a new section of accessible path.

“Unfortunately, this will mean we will need to close the affected section so the improvements can be completed safely.”

The latest plan also follow on from previous work to the path in the same location when 270 metres of new path was created after a similar collapse of the nearby cliffside occurred.

And a further 1.5km of coast path has also previously been upgraded between Caswell Bay and Langland.

Swansea’s section of the All Wales Coast Path was officially opened in 2012, where 61km of coast path have been joined together to enable walkers to trek from Swansea’s waterfront in SA1 and walk right through to Loughor, travelling through Caswell Bay, Port Eynon, Rhossili and Llanmadoc.

Cllr Stevens added: “I believe our section of coast path along Swansea and Gower has some of the most scenic views along the entire Wales coastline. It really is stunning and I would encourage those yet to experience it, to go and have a stroll.

[Lead image: Swansea Council]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/07/new-section-of-gower-coast-path-planned-following-coastal-erosion/

#Limeslade #Rotherslade #SwannseaCouncil

It’s grey misty-moisty Saturday so looking forward to brighter days 😊
Have a good day.

#Rotherslade #Gower #DonkeyRock #Wales
#photography

It’s Friday Eve. 👋😊

#Rotherslade #Gower #Wales
#photography