The CARDIFF UNIVERSITY/CARDIFF HALF MARATHON is another victim of the pandemic and has moved the event once again. The new date is Sunday 27th March 2022 and already the appetite is so great that places are sold out. You can still take part through the charity route, details at the bottom of this page.
The Cardiff Half Marathon was due to be run in the Welsh capital on 3rd October and has now been re-scheduled. It’s actually the third time the event has had to be postponed due to the pandemic, the last race being in October, 2019, when the Kenyan Leonard Langat emerged victorious from a field of more than 25,000 runners to win in a course record 59 min, 30 sec.
Matt Newman, R4W Chief Executive explained the thinking behind the postponement……..
“Run 4 Wales (R4W) has been working closely with the Welsh Government and Cardiff City Council to understand the potential timeline for the safe return of events in Wales, including the Cardiff University / Cardiff Half Marathon (CHM).
“Whilst the vaccine rollout in the UK continues to provide cause for optimism, the situation in Wales remains uncertain, with the Welsh Government currently setting a maximum outdoor event capacity of 4,000, including event-related spectators.
“Over recent years the CHM has grown into the 2nd largest half-marathon in the UK, with over 25,000 participants and 100,000 spectators lining the route. An event of this scale requires a significant planning phase and we have now entered the critical period. The Welsh Government’s 21-day review cycle means that R4W cannot predict the prevailing restrictions which will be in force this autumn, so a decision needs to be made now.
“Due to this uncertainty and in agreement with Cardiff City Council, circumstances dictate that we must now postpone the 2021 CHM to the spring of 2022. The health and safety of race participants, their supporters, event volunteers and the Run 4 Wales staff team is at the forefront of our decision making and we hope that everyone understands the reasons for this decision.
Charity is at the heart of this incredible event – where many will be raising money for fantastic good causes. Knowing your run has helped others, gives a huge boost to the satisfaction you’ll feel on finishing the race – and keep you motivated during your training.
The event itself has grown into one of the largest road races in the United Kingdom. It’s not only the UK’s second largest half marathon, it is Wales’ largest road race and Wales’ largest multi-charity fundraising event. Something everyone involved in putting this together should be rightly proud of. Here’s a look back at the 2019 event.
The route takes runners past the Capital’s most iconic landmarks with beautiful scenery and historic buildings. The predominately flat and fast course makes it ideal for beginners and elites.
Matt Newman said……
“The CHM has become one of Wales’ most iconic sporting events, providing an opportunity for runners of all standards to race alongside some of the world’s leading endurance runners. In addition, the CHM is Wales’ largest multi-charity fundraising event and sits within UK Top 10 Events for Sports Fundraising.
“This year would also have seen Cardiff join with four other world class half-marathons – Lisbon, Prague, Copenhagen and Valencia – in the new SuperHalfs Series taking place across Europe.
“The Cardiff Half Marathon has become much more than a road race. It now provides a focal point for Run 4 Wales’ social agenda and provides an opportunity to improve the lives of many people in Wales.
The race starts outside Cardiff Castle and runners then head down past Cardiff City Stadium on the way to Penarth. They’ll take in the glorious Penarth Marina before crossing the barrage and heading to Cardiff Bay. Runners run right through the heart of the Bay taking in the Norwegian Church and Wales Millennium Centre.
The course then heads towards the north of the city and runners will complete a loop of the beautiful Roath Park Lake before the grandstand finish in the heart of the city at the Civic Centre.
Matt continued…….
“As well as raising the profile of the Welsh capital to an international audience and driving more than £5m of economic value to the region, the event highlights the benefits of running to improve physical and mental health.
“Through the growth in social running groups across Wales, we also inspire a positive impact on social inclusion, women’s running and community engagement.
“Since R4W took over the event it has hosted the Welsh, British, Commonwealth and World Half Marathon Championships and is now in the diary of all world class athletes.
“Cardiff has the experience of successfully holding two half-marathons in one calendar year, after hosting the World Half Marathon in 2016, and in 2022 an autumn edition will also take place as usual on the first Sunday in October.”
“In addition, we will mark the October 3rd 2021 date with an inclusive new ‘Virtual Cardiff Half’ event, which will provide an opportunity to celebrate everything that is great about the CHM. This free event will give everyone a chance to walk, jog or run the 13.1 mile distance ahead of the return of the live event in March 2022.”
If you want to go for a run yourself, without leaving your room now, have a look at the video below which takes you on a virtual journey of the course in less than 3 minutes.
It’s an event that so many want to participate in, whether that’s running the distance, or marking the route to support family and friends along as they go. For those who do take part, there’s always a lot provided with the entry.
Included in your entry is……….
- A posted race pack including a race weekend brochure, spectator guide, running number and timing chip.
- A high standard of event organisation, with a fully marshaled, closed road route.
- The opportunity to earn high-quality commemorative finishers items, including a medal and t-shirt (to be collected upon completing the race).
- Access to helpful training advice and support via the event website and e-newsletters.
- Access to the event facilities, including toilets.
- Course entertainment and live music across the route.
- Water and nutritional products available at energy stations along the route.
- Use of the Run 4 Wales app to live track your performance.
- A finish time SMS at the end of the race (if you have submitted your mobile number).
- Access to Event Village with retailers, street food and live entertainment.
- Predicted finish time pacers in every start wave.
Although the event is now fully booked, we thought we’d give you a look at the various prices.
| Early Bird Entry (available to the first 5,000 to sign up) | Sold Out |
| General Entry (for runners not affiliated to an athletics club) | Sold Out |
| Affiliated Entry (for runners affiliated to England, Scotland & NI Athletics) | Sold Out |
| Welsh Athletics Entry (for runners affiliated to Welsh Athletics) | Sold Out |
| International Entrant (runners living overseas) | Sold Out |
| 2022 Welsh Distance Double (entry into Cardiff Half & ABP Newport Wales Marathon – saving £15 – only 500 tickets available) | Sold Out |
| Early Bird NSPCC Fundraiser (when pledging to fundraise £300) | Sold Out |
| NSPCC Fundraiser (when pledging to fundraise £300) | £10 |
For each event the wheelchair race will start at 9:50am and the rest of the field will be off at 10:00am. If you’ve not been a spectator before we can assure you the atmosphere is incredible. The runners like a big crowd too, so get down there, with your family and friends and give these brave souls some much-needed support. Of course before all that, they need support through the training schedule.
What was incredibly special, and important, is that on the start line last year, for the first time ever, there was a female majority. Women who came together filled with individual, personal stories, uniting with one goal.
If you’d like to take a look at the 2019 Training Plans we’ve linked them below. It’ll give you an idea as to what sort of commitment you’ll be making.
You may also like to consider one of the charity options too. You could, for example, become an NSPCC fundraiser, as they unite to tackle the Cardiff Half, to raise thousands in support of our community!
Not only will you be taking part in one of Europe’s biggest Half Marathon’s (and Wales’ biggest mass-participation event), but you’ll also be raising funds for an amazing cause. With your help they can provide more support to so many people.
If you are interest in one of the charity places, they request a minimum fundraising target. You are running the half marathon though and putting in a lot of training, so we feel sure your mates would support you in helping the charity.
The organisers are encouraging as many of you as possible to run for their Lead Charity Partner the NSPCC, or one of the Associate Charity Partners.
#TeamNSPCC runners will receive a personalised training plan, training day with expert coaches, a Facebook community to share training tips and experiences with and post-race reception! You can register to run for the NSPCC for just £10 when pledging to raise £300.
Alzheimers Society, British Heart Foundation, Mind, Prostate Cancer UK and Shelter Cymru are the Associate Charity Partners for 2021 and offer a reduced entry free amongst a number of benefits in return for a space in the race.
The registration deadline is 3 September 2021.
We’ll be featuring all of the charities over the next few months or so but if you’d like to see just which are benefitting from the 2022 Half Marathon go HERE. Choose you charity, register and get running.
If you are a charity interested in purchasing a charity package just email: maria.waldron@run4wales.org
So whether you are running to win, for fun, maybe for charity, or even one of the tens of thousands who turn out to cheer the runners on, the simple fact is, there is no spectacle quite like the Cardiff Half Marathon.
