Cardiff Half Marathon
Event summary
With 20,000+ participants, put this race in your diary as a must-do event. The mostly flat course is packed with supporters throughout and you'll run past Cardiff Castle, Penarth Marina and Cardiff Bay. Come for the festival vibes, finisher's medal and technical t-shirt.
Your organiser
Run 4 Wales delivers a series of high profile elite and mass participation sporting events in Wales including the Cardiff Half Marathon, Newport Wales Marathon, VELOTHON Wales, Cardiff Bay Run, Barry Island 10K and the Royal Welsh Trail Running Festival.
How to enter
What's included:
- Chip Timed Event
- Finisher's Medal
- Finisher's T-shirt
- Marshalled Course
- Water Stations
- Aid Stations
- Post Race Goody Bag
- Hoka One One Pacers
Half Marathon
Run 13.1mi
Stay up-to-date
What people think
Frequently asked questions
What is the cut-off time for the Cardiff Half Marathon?
To ensure roads open again and limit impact to the city, the cut-off time for the Cardiff Half Marathon is 4.5 hours. Runners falling behind this pace can be picked up by the sweeper vehicle or continue along the pavements.… read moreWhat is the minimum age to take part in the Cardiff Half Marathon?
Participants must be 17 years old on race day to enter the Cardiff Half Marathon.… read moreWhen will I receive my race pack for the Cardiff Half Marathon?
This will be sent to you in the post 1-3 weeks before the event. … read moreYou may also like
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Route description
Route description
This route is the perfect tour of Cardiff, taking runners past the city's most iconic landmarks, beautiful scenery, and historic buildings.
The predominately flat and fast course makes this an ideal event for beginners and elites.
The Half Marathon starts outside Cardiff Castle and travels down past Cardiff City Stadium on the way to Penarth. Runners will get to take in the glorious Penarth Marina before crossing the barrage and heading to Cardiff Bay. The route takes runners right through the heart of the bay, taking in the Norwegian Church and Wales Millennium Centre along the way.
The route's last leg takes runners north of the city, to run around the stunning Roath Park Lake before getting their photo finish back in the heart of the city.
Schedule:
08:30 Bag Drop opens
10:00 Half Marathon Starts
11:30 Prize Ceremony Starts
14:30 Cut-Off Time
Runners will be set off in a staggered start, with Red, White, and Green runners starting at 10am, and Blue and Yellow runners starting at 10:10am.
Spectators are more than welcome and help lend to the superb atmosphere of this event.
With thousands of supporters coming out each year, a dedicated spectator zone, and excellent standing terraces, this event is just as special for spectators as it is for runners.
Make sure to arrive in plenty of time to grab the best spot to watch your athlete cross that finish line!
Volunteers are essential in ensuring the successful running of the Cardiff Half Marathon.
With a number of different opportunities on offer the 'Extra Milers' has something for everyone:
- Start/Finish Steward
- Course Marshal
- Volunteer Photographer
- Race Guru
- Baggage Support
- VIP Support
- Water Station Support
- Environmental Champion
Volunteers will be given a uniform and refreshments on the day to compensate for their hard work!
If you're interested in signing up then follow the link here:
25 Castle St, Cardiff CF10 1BT, UK
Get directionsAddress: Castle St, Cardiff CF10 3RB
Parking
Cardiff City Football Stadium (Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ), just 1 mile away from the event site, is the official site of the Park & Walk. This costs just £8 per car and £12 per minibus/coach and will be available for booking closer to the event date.
There are other parking facilities available including the option to park safely road-side.
By Train and Bus
Due to limited Sunday morning trains, please check your route and ensure your planned train leaves time to get to the race in time. Cardiff Central Station is the closest to the event site and has many services from major cities.
Similarly, there are a number of bus services available, however please account for extra road closures and arrive in plenty of time for the race. Please visit Cardiff Bus for more information.
By Car
From the East: Leave the M4 at junction 32 and take the first exit following the A470 towards the centre of Cardiff.
From the West: Leave the M4 at junction 33 and join the A4232 (3rd exit at roundabout). You can then either exit the A4232 at the next roundabout and follow signs for Cardiff city centre, or alternatively, there will be a diversion on the A4232 due to race road closures.
From the South West: Drive North along the M5 motorway and then follow signs for South Wales and the M4.
From the Midlands and North: Head for the M50 motorway (junction 8 on the M5 motorway) and then onto the A40 (signposted South Wales, Monmouth). Continue along the A40 until you reach Monmouth when the road becomes the A449. Continue along the A449 until you reach the Coldra roundabout. Here you should take the 5th exit to join the M4.
Half Marathon
Route description
Route description
This route is the perfect tour of Cardiff, taking runners past the city's most iconic landmarks, beautiful scenery, and historic buildings.
The predominately flat and fast course makes this an ideal event for beginners and elites.
The Half Marathon starts outside Cardiff Castle and travels down past Cardiff City Stadium on the way to Penarth. Runners will get to take in the glorious Penarth Marina before crossing the barrage and heading to Cardiff Bay. The route takes runners right through the heart of the bay, taking in the Norwegian Church and Wales Millennium Centre along the way.
The route's last leg takes runners north of the city, to run around the stunning Roath Park Lake before getting their photo finish back in the heart of the city.
Schedule:
08:30 Bag Drop opens
10:00 Half Marathon Starts
11:30 Prize Ceremony Starts
14:30 Cut-Off Time
Runners will be set off in a staggered start, with Red, White, and Green runners starting at 10am, and Blue and Yellow runners starting at 10:10am.
Spectators are more than welcome and help lend to the superb atmosphere of this event.
With thousands of supporters coming out each year, a dedicated spectator zone, and excellent standing terraces, this event is just as special for spectators as it is for runners.
Make sure to arrive in plenty of time to grab the best spot to watch your athlete cross that finish line!
Volunteers are essential in ensuring the successful running of the Cardiff Half Marathon.
With a number of different opportunities on offer the 'Extra Milers' has something for everyone:
- Start/Finish Steward
- Course Marshal
- Volunteer Photographer
- Race Guru
- Baggage Support
- VIP Support
- Water Station Support
- Environmental Champion
Volunteers will be given a uniform and refreshments on the day to compensate for their hard work!
If you're interested in signing up then follow the link here:
25 Castle St, Cardiff CF10 1BT, UK
Get directionsAddress: Castle St, Cardiff CF10 3RB
Parking
Cardiff City Football Stadium (Leckwith Road, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ), just 1 mile away from the event site, is the official site of the Park & Walk. This costs just £8 per car and £12 per minibus/coach and will be available for booking closer to the event date.
There are other parking facilities available including the option to park safely road-side.
By Train and Bus
Due to limited Sunday morning trains, please check your route and ensure your planned train leaves time to get to the race in time. Cardiff Central Station is the closest to the event site and has many services from major cities.
Similarly, there are a number of bus services available, however please account for extra road closures and arrive in plenty of time for the race. Please visit Cardiff Bus for more information.
By Car
From the East: Leave the M4 at junction 32 and take the first exit following the A470 towards the centre of Cardiff.
From the West: Leave the M4 at junction 33 and join the A4232 (3rd exit at roundabout). You can then either exit the A4232 at the next roundabout and follow signs for Cardiff city centre, or alternatively, there will be a diversion on the A4232 due to race road closures.
From the South West: Drive North along the M5 motorway and then follow signs for South Wales and the M4.
From the Midlands and North: Head for the M50 motorway (junction 8 on the M5 motorway) and then onto the A40 (signposted South Wales, Monmouth). Continue along the A40 until you reach Monmouth when the road becomes the A449. Continue along the A449 until you reach the Coldra roundabout. Here you should take the 5th exit to join the M4.