The Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon will be returning to the Welsh capital on Sunday 5 October.
It will be the 22nd edition of the race, and demand to take part is continuing to grow with all general entries selling out within just 12 hours of registrations opening.
More than 29,000 people have registered to take part across Saturday’s junior races and the main event on Sunday – and this year sees its highest ever number of international runners.
The theme for this year is ‘We’re All In’ celebrating the community and connection we find through running and that together, we can go further.
When is the Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon 2025?
The Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon returns to the Welsh capital on Sunday 5 October. It starts on Castle Street at 10am with the elite wheelchair race starting at 09:57am.
Can I still enter?
All races have sold out and no on-the-day entries will be available.
What is the route of the Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon?
The route will take runners past the capital’s most iconic landmarks. It starts outside Cardiff Castle and takes runners past the Principality and Cardiff City Stadiums. Runners will take in Penarth Marina, before crossing the barrage and heading to Cardiff Bay past the Norwegian Church and Wales Millennium Centre. A loop of Roath Park lake is completed before the grandstand finish in Cardiff’s beautiful civic centre.
What is the theme for the Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon?
This year’s Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon is celebrating community and connection, shining a light on the strength we find in running together and the bonds that carry us to the finish line.
Running has always been about more than just miles. On training runs and group sessions, friendships are built, encouragement is shared, and a sense of belonging blossoms. All the volunteers and spectators that come out to cheer them on, inspires everyone to keep going. That finish line is not just a personal triumph, but a collective celebration. That’s why this year’s theme is ‘We’re all in’, highlighting that together, we can go further – an important message included on this year’s race t-shirt.
Will there be pacers?
Pacers will be running in all of the starting pens with sail flags that correspond with the following times: 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:30 and 4:00.
Are there toilets?
There are toilets at the start of the race, in the Event Village, within the first mile of the race and around the course at all drink stations.
Will water and energy products be provided?
Brecon Carreg will be on hand around the route to supply water, while HIGH5 will supply energy gels. An energy drink will also be available at mile 9 and the finish line. Look out for the Brecon Carreg ploggers too who will be at the back of the race, collecting litter as they go.
How many people will be taking part?
The race has sold out for the eighth time, and this year in record time – within just 12 hours of entries going on sale. More than 29,000 spaces have been sold for the events across the weekend including the Junior races on the Saturday and more than 27,500 in the half marathon on the Sunday.
Will there be an elite race?
The event holds a coveted World Athletics Elite Road Race label and attracts some of the world’s fastest athletes. The race will feature a strong elite field with runners coming from nations including Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Spain.
This year’s race will be started by Kaoutar Boulaid on behalf of headline sponsor, Oysho. She specialises in the 10K, Marathon and Half Marathon distances and previously won the 34th Zurich Seville Marathon.
Will there be a wheelchair race?
An elite wheelchair race will take place on Sunday 5 October at 09:57am. Callum Hall and Mel Nicholls head up the men’s and women’s field.
Will there be a children’s race?
The Cardiff Half Junior takes place on Saturday 4 October. A full day of family-friendly activities are planned including a Toddler Dash at 10:30am and a Future Challengers race at 11am for talented young athletes and junior club runners. A family-focussed Fun Run then starts at 11:45am. Expect fancy dress, fun and festivities. NSPCC will also be hosting a story time session at 11.25am taking place at its stand in the event village on the Saturday.
How much money does the Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon raise for charity?
Over £4 million is raised each year via partnerships with over 120 charities.
What is the SuperHalfs?
The Cardiff Half is part of the SuperHalfs – an international half marathon series including races in Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Valencia, Copenhagen and Cardiff. It challenges runners to complete the six-race circuit in order to earn a ‘SuperMedal’.
What is the weather forecast?
The long-range weather forecast is predicting good running conditions. The day will be bright but cloudy with a gentle breeze. It is predicted that temperatures could reach 16°.
What is the best way to travel to the race?
Competitors are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and be aware that some road closures will be in place on the morning of the race.
With so many participants and spectators travelling to the city over the race weekend, one of the most reliable, stress-free and cost-effective ways to travel and avoid congestion is by travelling in advance of race day and making a weekend of it.
This year Transport for Wales have announced even more earlier services on race day, giving thousands of runners the opportunity to catch the train in for the start.
More information on event day travel can be found here.
Is there parking?
There is a park and walk facility at Cardiff City Football Stadium on Leckwith Road, but all spaces for this have to be pre-booked. To encourage sustainable travel, discounted spaces have been offered to coaches and minibuses. There will also be a free bike park in Gorsedd Gardens in front of National Museum Wales for those choosing to cycle to the event.
Will there be road closures in place?
There will be a number of road closures in place on race day to facilitate the safe passage of participants, so please allow extra time when traveling and plan your route in advance.
A map of road closures can be found here.
Will there be atmosphere around the course?
There will be lots of course entertainment to help make the 13.1-mile experience as exciting and atmospheric as possible. A variety of DJs, bands and choirs will be found around the course and the Principality Rainbow Roundabout will also be back again this year which runners will pass twice between miles 10 and 12.
Where’s the best place for spectators to support?
The Cardiff Half spectator zones give everyone the best possible opportunity to see their loved ones. Head down Castle Street, away from the city centre and towards the River Taff for the best chance to catch your loved ones after they have crossed the start line.
Head to Corbett Road for great views of the closing stages of the race on either side of the road, big screens, music and prize giveaways.
Tiered standing terraces give spectators a fantastic view of their loved ones over the finish line on King Edward VII Avenue.
You’ll want to head down early to grab yourself the best vantage point.
Who organises the event?
The event is organised by Run 4 Wales (R4W), a not-for-profit charitable trust set up to manage and deliver major sporting events in Wales.
Established in 2012, R4W has grown into one of the UK’s best-known mass participation event organisers, driven by a desire to deliver world-class events with a positive social agenda. Its events provide a platform to champion mental health, women’s running, community regeneration, diversity, volunteering, fundraising and environmental sustainability, with surpluses invested into grassroots sport and community projects through its charitable foundation.
In 2023 R4W announced an innovative new partnership with London Marathon Events, bringing together the leading mass-participation events organisations in England and Wales. Together, R4W and LME are working together to increase their impact, especially in inspiring more children to become active and broadening further the diversity of participation in its events.
This year Always Aim High Events joined the R4W family in an exciting move that sees Wales’ two largest mass participants events companies join forces for an all-Wales approach.
What will runners receive when they finish the race?
All finishers will receive a commemorative medal and a t-shirt (unless they decided to opt out of receiving a tee and instead donate to the R4W Climate Action Fund). The iconic Cardiff Castle features on this year’s finishers items and t-shirts have been provided by this year’s title and technical sponsor, Oysho.
Can you track runners around the race?
The Run 4 Wales App on iOS and Android can be used to inspect the route pre-race and live track participants on the day with full Google maps functionality.
Find out more or download the app here.
Race Day Guide
If you’re taking part and have any questions or issues, the Event Helpdesk will be open from 12pm on Friday 3 October, 8am on Saturday 4 October and from 7am on Sunday 5 October.
Information about what to do if your race pack has not arrived can be found here.
