The CARDIFF UNIVERSITY/CARDIFF HALF MARATHON is another victim of the pandemic and will be moving to 2021. To mix things up a little however, the event will be coming in two waves, March and October. What is even more incredible is that the first wave is completely sold out.
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.
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.
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.
This event was to have been held this October but has moved to next year, with the marathon coming in two waves. Wave one, on the 28th March, is now completely sold out, there are charity spaces still available – take a look further down the page. MARCH
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.
The second wave on 3rd October does have spaces available and you can book yours now. OCTOBER
| Early Bird Entry (available to the first 5,000 to sign up) | £37.00 |
| General Entry (for runners not affiliated to an athletics club) | £42.00 |
| R4W Membership Entry (a 20% discount available exclusively for R4W Members) | £33.60 |
| Affiliated Entry (for runners affiliated to England, Scotland & NI Athletics) | £40.00 |
| Welsh Athletics Entry (for runners affiliated to Welsh Athletics) | £32.00 |
| Welsh Distance Double (entry into Cardiff Half & ABP Newport Wales Marathon (18 April 2021) saving £15 – only 500 tickets available) | £76.00 |
| Early Bird NSPCC Fundraiser (available to the first 50 to sign up) | £1.00 |
| NSPCC Fundraiser (when pledging to fundraise £300) | £10.00 |
| International Entrant (runners living overseas) | £49.00 |
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, join MS Cymru’s team of Superstars, 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 people like Hayley – who was feeling depressed, isolated, and even suicidal after her MS progressed and was unable to leave her flat.
Thanks to the support of the MS Society Cymru, Hayley was able to access funding for an electric scooter, as well as accessible gym membership. And, is also a regular visitor at her local MS Support Group – taking part in a range of specialist activities and social events.
Hayley told us…….
“I feel like I want to go out and do things, it’s like a new me now! I’ve got lots of friends, I’m very enthused by the whole thing – going to the gym, getting fit, feeling healthy.”
If you are interest in one of the MS charity places, they request a minimum fundraising target of £170. 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.
If you’d like to register for an MS place, just go here. MS CYMRU
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 2021 Half Marathon, go here. CHARITY