Recognised by World Athletics as one of the best half marathons in the world!
Also a member of the global SuperHalfs series, Cardiff Half is now one of Europe’s most prestigious half marathons attracting 29,000 runners of all abilities alongside world-class athletes.
Starting at the castle, the half marathon route takes in city landmarks before crossing the barrage and heading to Cardiff Bay on a mostly flat course.
The only half marathon in the UK to have this credential.
A prestigious global series of half marathons including Lisbon, Prague, Copenhagen and Valencia.
Following the Great North Run, and attracting 29,000 runners.
Join the thousands of runners challenging themselves to 13.1 miles for a great cause.
The flat route features the castle, marina and the very exciting Cardiff Bay barrage!
Runners' Village, live music throughout and huge spectator support.
These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity and complete the form to ask a question or get signed up.
Heart
Providing information and support to sufferers of this incurable disease which could affect anyone of any age.
Sign up
£20
Fundraise
£350
Heart
The only charity in the UK to support people with high cholesterol.
Sign up
£10
Fundraise
£250
Cancer
No one should have to face cancer alone.
Sign up
£25
Fundraise
£250
Health and Medical
Defeating meningitis and septicaemia.
Sign up
£15
Fundraise
£300
Children
Working to improve life for children in the UK.
Sign up
£30
Fundraise
£300
Health and Medical
Transforming the lives of people with epilepsy through world-leading research, advocacy and care.
Sign up
£25
Fundraise
£350
Cancer
Raise awareness, fund research and save lives.
Sign up
£15
Fundraise
£300
Children
50% off
Helping the hospital offer a better future to seriously ill children across the UK.
50% off registration
Sign up
£20 £10
Fundraise
£350
Health and Medical
Find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.
Sign up
£30
Fundraise
£300
Cancer
Helping the brain tumour community to feel less alone and more in control.
Sign up
£45
Fundraise
£325
Disability
Helping people with a learning disability to live their lives as they choose.
Sign up
£15
Fundraise
£200
Health and Medical
Rebuilding lives after stroke.
Sign up
£10
Fundraise
£250
Children
Making dreams come true to bring joy to seriously ill children.
Sign up
£20
Fundraise
£300
Social welfare
Where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve.
Sign up
£30
Fundraise
£300
Mental health
Supporting those affected by mental illness to change mental health for good.
Sign up
£25
Fundraise
£300
Health and Medical
Funding research into digestive diseases to save lives with better treatments.
Sign up
£35
Fundraise
£350
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Animals
For a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
Sign up
£10
Fundraise
£250
Event Village on City Hall Lawns is the perfect place to meet fellow runners, say good luck to loved ones, leave baggage safely stowed in the baggage tents and make your way to the start line before the race. It’s also the perfect place to to relax at the end of the race and reunite with friends and supporters.
Relax, recuperate and celebrate your success with a well deserved post-race massage.
Once you’ve had your soothing massage and you’re feeling a little livelier, you can also enjoy the best of the live music stage and entertainment programme.
Grab a post-race massage, browse official race merchandise or check out accessories from event partners, and for any queries about the race, our Event Information Desk is here to help.
Get involved with a number of interactive come and try sports or visit one of the sponsors and charities who will be showcasing their products, services and causes.
With the race growing and the elite field improving, provision for spectators has been improved in recent years to give spectators the best chance to watch some of the world’s best athletes take on the iconic route and cheer on family and friends.
Spectator zones give everyone the best possible opportunity to see their loved ones. Head down Castle Street, away from the city centre and towards the River Taff for the best chance to catch your loved ones after they have crossed the start line, away from the congestion of the start pens. Head to Corbett Road for great views of the closing stages of the race on either side of the road, big screens, music and prize giveaways.
Tiered standing terraces give spectators a fantastic view of their loved ones over the finish line on King Edward VII Avenue. You’ll want to head down early to grab yourself the best vantage point. Head down to Corbett Road and King Edward VII Avenue from 10:15am.
Cardiff Castle
Castle Street
Cardiff
South Glamorgan
CF10 3RB
UK
Tuck into some tasty street food or kick back with a well deserved celebratory drink – with a wide choice of vendors to choose from.
The race starts outside Cardiff Castle on Castle Street and finishes on King Edward VII Avenue. The event village is at City Hall Lawn outside Cardiff’s City Hall.
Your 13.1 mile experience will be as exciting and atmospheric as possible with live groups, steel drums, tune trucks, brass bands, choirs and more. Acts include:
Drum Runners | Batala Bristol | Ukulele Band | Samba Galez | Welsh Air Ambulance Choir | Cardiff Uni Brass Band | Accordia | Tune Trucks | Pride Cymru | Rock Choir | Cathays Brass Band | Rock N Soul
4 hours 30 minutes
Participants should try to complete the course within 4 hour 30 minutes. In order to safely get the city moving again and protect all participants, after this time all roads will be reopened and a sweep bus will collect those at the back of the race unable to keep up with the allotted 20-minute mile pace.
With a socially responsible business model at the core, this event delivers ambitiously green, sustainable and low impact events.
Every year thousands of runners take part in this event and fundraise for charity. While this is hugely beneficial to the charities it gives the runner advantages too, from supporting a cause that is close to your heart to securing a place in this highly sought-after event and much more.
Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus all of these extras which will elevate your event experience:
Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think videos for social media, branded imagery and testimonials from previous runners.
Whether this is your first run or your fifth, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation. Experts include Runningwithus, Full Potential and Olympic champs.
When you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in on the big day, and often a training top too.
When you're partway through your run and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Many charities set up a cheer station along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!
Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.
You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.
Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and get a place in the event, especially if general entries are closed.
Running the Cardiff Half Marathon and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?
This year was the 3rd year in a row for me at the Cardiff Half. The first two years were fundraisers... There is just something about this race. The crowds throughout are incredible, and pretty much 3-deep all the way around... the local choirs, nursing homes, bands, and kids with their jelly babies come out in force.
The support at mile 12 is like no other half I have experienced and the home straight is full of crowds cheering at full pelt. Every time I cross the finish line here it's a bit emotional and I wouldn't have it any other way. Martin J
My favourite running event! I run the Cardiff Half every year and it never disappoints. Amazing views and tourist attractions. The best support and atmosphere I’ve ever experienced. The medals are insane every time and I love my t shirts. Very well organised. Couldn’t recommend this event enough especially for a PB! Candice M
What a race! Over 20K runners in one place. Amount of supporters - I'd say there was EASILY 100K (!!!) people along true route cheering and supporting us all. Brilliant atmosphere. Will be definitely going back. Waldemar K
I did t know they would sing the anthem at the start, wow! Standing in front of the castle singing the anthem was the perfect start. If you want to run a race where you feel like an athlete this is the one. There’s so much support on the whole course. A couple of cheeky hills but nothing too bad. Definitely one to add to your must do list. Kirstie D
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck