Cardiff Half Marathon

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Sports & AdventureCardiff
Dates4 October 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
CrowdSmallAbout 27,000 people
Best forCompetition, enduranceThe course was selected to host the IAAF
LanguageEnglishCurrency: GBP
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Cardiff Half Marathon in Cardiff

A flat, fast half marathon through Cardiff each autumn, launched in 2003 alongside a now-discontinued full marathon. The course links Cardiff Castle, the Bay waterfront and Roath Park Lake, and the race has grown into one of Europe's largest half marathons, hosting the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2016.

Cardiff Half Marathon launched in 2003 alongside a full marathon distance, organised initially in partnership with the children's charity Barnardo's, with only around fifteen hundred runners entering that first half-marathon field.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The course was selected to host the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2016, run on the identical route used by the mass-participation race, a rare instance of a city's popular fun-run course doubling as an elite world championship circuit in the same calendar year

02

The mystery stays covered

Its consistently flat profile around Cardiff Bay and Roath Park Lake, avoiding the city's hillier suburbs entirely, has made it a favoured course for runners specifically targeting personal best times over the half-marathon distance

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The course has kept its landmark route linking Cardiff Castle

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the Bay waterfront and Roath Park Lake since the full marathon distance was dropped after 2006

The sacred route

Living ritual

cementing the half marathon as the event's sole focus

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

4 October 2026

Getting around

For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Cardiff to work differently.

What to wear

Standard road-race running kit suited to autumn conditions, with a discardable layer for a cool pre-race wait near Cardiff Castle before the runner's start wave.

Safety

Cardiff Half Marathon is easier when spectators give competitors, vehicles and staff room to work.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Cardiff you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

GBP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map51.48 N, 3.18 WOpen in Google Maps

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

Nearest airportCWL — Cardiff
TransportFor route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Cardiff to work differently.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Cardiff you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Cardiff via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Cardiff, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearStandard road-race running kit suited to autumn conditions, with a discardable layer for a cool pre-race wait near Cardiff Castle before the runner's start wave.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United Kingdom and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Cardiff Half Marathon?

Cardiff Half Marathon is listed for 4 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Cardiff Half Marathon take place?

The festival is listed in Cardiff, United Kingdom. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

How big is it?

Small: 27000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates4 October 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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