Transport for Wales is adding extra train services and capacity on key routes into Cardiff on Sunday 4 October for the Cardiff Half Marathon and Wales’s UEFA Nations League match against Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium.
The city is expected to welcome more than 27,500 runners and thousands of supporters for the half marathon before the evening football fixture.
TfW said it had worked with Run 4 Wales and used feedback from last year’s event when planning additional services so runners can reach the start line in time. Services will run throughout the day, including a direct 22:44 post-match train from Cardiff to North Wales after the Wales v Denmark game.
A queuing system will operate at Cardiff Central. Cardiff Queen Street will stay open all day. Cathays station will close from 11:00, remaining open for accessible access only.
Georgie Porter, Head of Events Planning and Delivery at Transport for Wales, said: “We’ve listened to feedback from last year and put extra services, extra capacity and extra staff in place to help everyone get to Cardiff on time.
“For those running the Cardiff Half Marathon, we wish you all a big pob lwc! If you’re coming into the city as a spectator, consider travelling a little later in the morning to help ease early demand for runners.
“The city centre is expected to be busy, and we encourage everyone to plan ahead and check before they travel.”
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at Run 4 Wales, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Transport for Wales to make it easier for participants and supporters to travel to this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon by public transport.
“Extra train services on race day is a fantastic offering and will help so many runners travel to Cardiff with ease, while also encouraging more sustainable journeys.
“The Cardiff Half brings tens of thousands of people together in the heart of the city, so helping people leave the car at home and travel by train is an important part of our commitment to creating a more accessible and environmentally responsible event.
“We’re really pleased to see this partnership with Transport for Wales continue to develop and look forward to exploring more ways we can work together in the future to make our events more connected and sustainable.”
TfW will have a stand at the Runners Village near Cardiff City Hall offering travel advice. Passengers are advised to check journey times and additional services on the TfW app or website and allow extra time.
TfW said it had worked with Great Western Railway on extra early morning services. Key additional GWR services on Sunday 4 October include a 07:45 Bristol Parkway to Cardiff Central (arriving 08:18), a 07:30 Swansea to Cardiff Central (arriving 08:28), and an 08:57 Newport to Cardiff Central (arriving 09:10).
Passengers using the Cheltenham to Gloucester line are advised that engineering work is in place over the weekend and rail replacement buses will run.
