Following a successful World Record at the 2018 JCP Swansea Half Marathon, Diabetes UK Cymru has joined forces with Wales’ biggest summer half marathon this year as a headline charity partner.
The aim in 2018 was to recruit as many people with Type 1 Diabetes to run Swansea. Diabetes UK Cymru are proud to announce that an amazing 69 Type 1 runners took part last year – making it the greatest number of people with the condition to run a half marathon together. This June they hope to repeat the challenge with an even bigger Type 1 team, although their charity places are open to anyone who wants to raise money for them.
Dai Williams, National Director for Wales, Diabetes UK Cymru, said,
“We are thrilled to be an official charity at this year’s race. While our places are open to anyone, we’re also bringing back a special challenge for runners with Type 1 diabetes. The sense of achievement when you cross the finish line of a half marathon is fantastic for all of us, but it can be life-changing for someone with a condition like Type 1 diabetes. We hope to bring an even bigger team to the starting line on 23 June, to show people that Type 1 should never hold you back.”
Type 1 diabetes is a complex, lifelong condition, and nobody knows what causes it. People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce the hormone insulin, which controls the amount of glucose on the blood. They must receive insulin multiple times a day, either through injections or via an insulin pump.
The signs and symptoms of Type 1 diabetes can develop very quickly. If not identified and quickly treated, they can be life-threatening. Diabetes UK Cymru’s Know Type 1 campaign calls for more awareness of the four common symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, known as the 4 Ts:
- Toilet
- Tired
- Thirsty
- Thinner
If someone has any of the 4Ts, the charity encourages people to go to their doctor straight away.
There are over 194,000 people living with diabetes in Wales, the highest prevalence in the UK. 90 per cent of these people will have Type 2 diabetes, and 10 per cent will have Type 1 diabetes. We are all likely to know someone affected.
Funds raised for Diabetes UK Cymru enables the charity to provide care and support, raise awareness, campaign for change and fund research to make a difference to the thousands of people living with diabetes across Wales, and their families.
David Martin-Jewell, Director of Front Runner Events said:
“My wife and I have a son who has Type 1 Diabetes and know the challenges he faces on daily basis. We are delighted that Diabetes UK Cymru have joined us to become a headline charity partner and hope that this year’s challenge inspires others to participate in sport and exercise, particularly to those who suffer with this condition. I am always in awe of how people living with this condition or any other disability can reach their goals despite their health conditions, demonstrating that with will and determination; anything is possible.”
The JCP Swansea Half Marathon is a road race that is flat, fast on a course that is perfect for beginners, and first time half marathon runners. Go to www.swanseahalfmarathon.co.uk for further race details or how to join #TeamDUK and run towards a world where diabetes can do no harm.
The JCP Swansea Half Marathon is a fast, flat road race on a course that is perfect for beginners, and first time half marathon runners. Headline charity places are available via our website for Cancer Research UK, Diabetes UK Cymru and Maggie’s Cancer Centres.
The race has been recognised as being the “Best Half Marathon” in the UK at the UK Running Awards in 2017 and 2018, runners can expect a fully marshalled course on closed roads, bespoke medal, technical t-shirt, on route entertainment and a goody bag for all finishers.
Go to www.swanseahalfmarathon.co.uk for further race details, ‘like’ the Facebook page www.facebook.com/SwanseaHalf and follow @Swansea_HM #Run5wansea on Twitter and @swanseahalfmarathon on Instagram to keep up to date with all the latest news about the JCP Swansea Half Marathon.
