Three exciting new courses have been revealed for the 2024 ABP Newport Wales Marathon, Half and 10K.
The event, which will be taking place on Sunday 28th April, has been expanded into a full festival of running. And with the new half marathon distance joining the day, there will be something for every level of ability and ambition.
After engaging with previous participant feedback, several exciting changes have been made with the aim to improve the atmosphere and event experience.
But first-time runners or those looking to secure a PB, don’t need to worry as event organisers, Run 4 Wales, have ensured that the flat and fast course, which the Newport events are famed for, have been retained.
What to expect from the new routes:
All three races will start and finish on Newport’s vibrant riverfront and will kick-start with a new city centre loop, taking in the historic Commercial Street – including many listed buildings dating from the Victorian period.
It’s expected that this area, along with the start and finish line on Usk Way will be buzzing with spectators to provide a welcome boost to runners at the beginning and end of their races.
They will all also include a loop of the Newport International Sports Village, which is home to the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales, Newport Stadium and Dragon Park, and even feature a part-lap of the athletics track.
Those running the 10K will then head back to the city centre, enjoying views of the iconic Transporter Bridge without the out and back section on Stephenson Street that featured on the previous courses.
The marathon and half marathon runners will also do the same towards the end of their races.
The marathon course will no longer stretch as far east into Monmouthshire and will instead head to Redwick after a loop of the International Sports Village. Next, marathon runners will join those taking on the half marathon for an additional lap around the picturesque Newport Wetlands and Goldcliff area.
This change replaces the quieter and more rural sections of the original course, with the view of creating a busier and more atmospheric section of the route and more opportunities to pass course entertainment zones for a welcome uplift.
The half marathon runners will just take on the Goldcliff lap once, enjoying the course entertainment and marathon atmosphere before heading back to the city centre to the finish line.
The new routes have been devised by Run 4 Wales Race Director and double Olympic marathon runner, Steve Brace.
Steve said: “We want to make sure the races provide the best possible experience for both runners and spectators, and we hope that the tweaks we’ve made will create an even better atmosphere.
“While the new routes will ensure there is more to see and take in for runners, they will also provide additional opportunities for spectators and the local community to engage with Wales’ largest marathon.
“However, we didn’t want to lose the many reasons people enjoyed taking part in the event, and it was important that with the race recently named within the world’s 10 fastest marathons by Runners World, that we retained the flat and fast nature of the route.
“It’s the perfect event for those taking part in their first race or for those wanting to chase a PB. But those keen to get involved need to act fast, as our early bird entry offers expire on 12th January.”
