More than 30,000 people are preparing to take part in a weekend of running and entertainment as the Cardiff Half Marathon returns to the Welsh capital.
The 23rd edition of the event takes place on Sunday, October 4, with the main race starting on Castle Street at 10am, shortly after the elite wheelchair race gets underway at 9.57am.
All races have sold out, with no entries available on the day. The event went to ballot for the first time for 2026 after selling out in a record 12 hours last year.
More than 30,000 places have been sold across the weekend, including the junior events on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon.
What is the Cardiff Half Marathon route?
The 13.1-mile route starts outside Cardiff Castle before taking runners past some of the capital’s best-known landmarks.
Participants will pass the Principality Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium before heading towards Penarth Marina.
They will then cross the barrage and head through Cardiff Bay, passing the Norwegian Church and Wales Millennium Centre.
The closing stages include a loop of Roath Park lake before runners head towards the finish in Cardiff’s civic centre.
Will there be road closures?
A number of road closures will be in place on race day to allow participants to make their way safely around the course.
People travelling around Cardiff are being advised to allow extra time and plan their routes in advance.
How can runners travel to the event?
Competitors are being encouraged to plan their journeys ahead of the race, particularly with thousands of runners and spectators expected in Cardiff.
As part of a new partnership with Run 4 Wales, Transport for Wales has announced additional earlier train services on race day to give more runners the opportunity to travel into the city by rail.
A park and walk facility is available at Cardiff City Football Stadium on Leckwith Road, although spaces must be booked in advance.
Discounted spaces have also been offered to coaches and minibuses to encourage sustainable travel, while a free bike park will be available at Gorsedd Gardens in front of National Museum Wales.
Who is taking part?
The Cardiff Half holds a World Athletics Elite Road Race label and will once again attract elite athletes from around the world.
Runners are travelling from countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, the USA, Australia and the Netherlands.
Joyciline Jepkosgei, with a time of 64:13, will headline the women’s field, while Gideon Kiprotich, with a time of 58:49, is the fastest athlete on paper in the men’s field.
An elite wheelchair race will also take place, beginning at 9.57am.
What is happening for children?
The Cardiff Half Junior takes place on Saturday, October 3, with a full programme of family activities planned.
A Toddler Dash starts at 10.30am, followed by the Future Challengers race at 11am for talented young athletes and junior club runners.
A family-focused Fun Run will then begin at 11.45am, while the NSPCC will hold a story time session at its Event Village stand at 11.25am.
Where are the best places to watch?
Spectators looking to catch runners shortly after the start can head along Castle Street away from the city centre towards the River Taff.
Corbett Road will provide views of the closing stages on both sides of the road, alongside big screens, music and prize giveaways.
Tiered standing terraces will also give spectators a view of runners crossing the finish line on King Edward VII Avenue.
People are being advised to arrive early to secure the best vantage points.
What entertainment will there be?
The course will feature entertainment throughout the 13.1 miles, with a new initiative called Ein Dinas, meaning Our City, adding to the atmosphere.
Community groups, cheer squads, live bands and performers will line key points around the route.
For the first time, celebrations are also beginning early through Cardiff Half Full Send, with pop-up activities taking place across the city.
St David’s Shopping Centre, Wagamama, High5, Wales Millennium Centre and Studio Tarw are among those getting involved, with activities ranging from yoga sessions and shakeout runs to community events.
Will there be pacers?
Waterton Motor Group pacers will run in all of the starting pens carrying sail flags corresponding with target finishing times.
These will cover 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10, 2:20, 2:30, 2:45 and 3:00.
What will be available around the course?
Toilets, urinals and Peequal female urinals will be available at the start, in the Event Village, within the first mile and at drink stations around the course.
Brecon Carreg will provide water, while HIGH5 will supply energy gels. Powerade will also be available at mile nine.
Brecon Carreg ploggers will follow at the back of the race, collecting litter as they go.
All finishers will receive a commemorative medal and a T-shirt, unless they opted out of receiving a T-shirt and instead donated to the Run 4 Wales Climate Action Fund.
How can you track or watch runners?
The Run 4 Wales App for iOS and Android will allow people to inspect the route before the event and live track participants on race day using Google Maps functionality.
A live stream will also be available through the Run 4 Wales YouTube channel and on big screens around the Event Village.
A highlights programme will be shown on S4C, S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer on Monday, October 5.
How much does the event raise for charity?
More than £4 million is raised each year through partnerships with over 120 charities.
The Cardiff Half is also part of the SuperHalfs international half marathon series alongside races in Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Valencia and Copenhagen.
Runners who complete the six-race circuit can earn a SuperMedal.
Who organises the Cardiff Half?
The event is organised by Run 4 Wales, a not-for-profit charitable trust established in 2012 to manage and deliver major sporting events in Wales.
Its events provide a platform to support areas including mental health, women’s running, community regeneration, diversity, volunteering, fundraising and environmental sustainability.
Surpluses are invested into grassroots sport and community projects through its charitable foundation.
The Event Helpdesk will open from noon on Friday, October 2, from 8am on Saturday, October 3, and from 7am on race day.
