Jenny Saunders (centre) holds the Corporate Challenge Award with (from left) Swansea University Head of Development and Engagement Rachel Thomas, Leighton Starkie, Toby Linley-Adams and Tash Smith, of Front Runner Events.
The combined speed and determination of staff and students at Swansea University claimed a prestigious honour at this year’s Swansea Half Marathon.
The four fastest members of Team Swansea – the group of colleagues, students and alumni who ran to raise money for the University’s Making Strides for Mental Health campaign – won the Corporate Challenge.
Every year organisations which field a group of participants can compete for the Challenge with the four fastest runners from the same team claiming the title and £100 donation from race organisers Front Runner Events.
Swansea University’s successful quartet of Leighton Starkie, Toby Linley-Adams, Noah Coulson and Jenny Sanders, posted a combined time of 6hrs 22m 5s.
First year chemical engineering student Leighton, who was first of the four finishing in1:24:29, said: “It was my first half marathon, but it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed the whole experience.”
Toby is a research technician from the biosciences department, Noah studies population health and medical sciences while Jenny works in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. They were part of a 127-strong team of staff, students and alumni who registered to run on behalf of Making Strides for Mental Health.
The campaign supports essential research into suicide prevention being carried out at the University along with mental health and wellbeing support for students.
This year Team Swansea raised more than £11,500 and £58,000 in total during the three years that the University has been the event’s headline sponsor.
Swansea University Head of Development and Engagement Rachel Thomas said: “We are proud of every member of the fantastic Team Swansea who did their bit to help such a great cause, but to win the Corporate Challenge title too is a real bonus. The fact that the winning four were both staff and students really reflected just how the event brought people together from across our University community.”
Tash Smith, of Front Runner Events, added: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Swansea University not only as our title sponsor but also with their Making Strides campaign. Team Swansea winning the Corporate Challenge has been the icing on the cake. It was a joy seeing the purple team vests crossing the line on race day. Well done Team Swansea.”
This year’s Half Marathon attracted more than 7,500 runners and entries are already being accepted for next year’s event which takes place on Sunday, June 7, 2026.