Caerphilly is set to host its first ever Caerphilly 5KM Festival of Road Racing on Sunday 9 August 2026 at 6:00pm, with the event proudly serving as host of the 2026 Welsh 5KM Championships.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of Caerphilly Castle, runners will take on a fully closed-road, chip-timed three-loop course around one of Wales’ most iconic landmarks, creating a breathtaking spectacle for runners and spectators alike.
The festival will feature four races designed to cater for everyone from elite Welsh championship athletes to people taking on their very first 5KM:
- Elite 1 Mile Race
- Welsh 5KM Championships
- Masters 5KM Welsh Championships (35+)
- Open 5KM Fun Run
As host of the 2026 Welsh 5KM Championships, the event will welcome some of the nation’s leading distance runners chasing titles on what is expected to be a lightning-fast course.
At the same time, the Open 5KM Fun Run has been specifically created to welcome first-time runners, local families, gym members, run clubs and anyone looking to embark on their first ever 5KM in an unforgettable setting around Caerphilly Castle.
Organisers Big Orange Events, supported by headline sponsor Team Rees Gym, are transforming the town centre into a true festival of road racing, complete with fire displays, supercars, live music, street food, entertainment and thousands of spectators lining the castle route.
The vision is to create an unforgettable sporting and visual spectacle, while also inspiring more people in the local community to get active and experience the buzz of race day for the first time.
Marcus Lloyd, Chief Executive of Caerphilly County Borough Council, said:
“We’re delighted to support the first ever Caerphilly 5K, especially with the event hosting the Welsh 5K Championships in the heart of the town.This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Caerphilly, with runners completing three loops around the iconic castle while supporting local businesses.The closed roads, town-centre atmosphere and event spectacle will create a brilliant evening for residents, visitors and businesses alike.”
Graham Finlayson, President of Welsh Athletics, added:
“Welsh Athletics is proud to support the launch of the first Caerphilly 5KM Festival of Road Racing and to bring the 2026 Welsh 5KM Championships to such an iconic setting.A fast, closed-road course around Caerphilly Castle offers the perfect stage for championship racing, while also creating an inspiring and memorable experience for runners of all abilities, including those taking on their very first 5KM.We are excited to see this become a landmark fixture in the Welsh road running calendar.”
