The four fastest members of Team Swansea, a group of colleagues, students, and alumni from Swansea University, won the Corporate Challenge at this year's Half Marathon. The team ran to raise money for the University's Making Strides for Mental Health campaign.
Organizations that field a group of participants compete for the Challenge, with the four fastest runners from each team claiming the title and a £100 donation from race organizers Front Runner Events. Swansea University's successful quartet—Leighton Starkie, Toby Linley-Adams, Noah Coulson, and Jenny Sanders—posted a combined time of 6 hours 22 minutes and 5 seconds.
First-year chemical engineering student Leighton Starkie was the first to finish among them in 1:24:29. He said: "It was my first half marathon, but it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed the whole experience."
Toby Linley-Adams is a research technician from the biosciences department, Noah Coulson studies population health and medical sciences, while Jenny Sanders works in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. They were part of a 127-strong team representing Making Strides for Mental Health.
The campaign supports essential research into suicide prevention 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 over three years as the event's headline sponsor.
Swansea University Head of Development and Engagement Rachel Thomas stated: "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 from 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. Entries are already being accepted for next year's event on Sunday, June 7, 2026.