Cardiff Half Marathon: Thousands of runners to hit streets of Welsh capital
The 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon is set to take place with 29,000 participants after a record-breaking ballot process. The event features runners of all ages and backgrounds, including those overcoming significant health challenges.
Why it matters
Large-scale sporting events like this serve as major economic and cultural drivers for regional capitals while promoting public health and community engagement.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency Image caption, The first Cardiff Half Marathon took place in 2003
More than 29,000 runners will descend on the Welsh capital this Sunday for the 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon.
The route will take participants past some of the city's most notable landmarks, including the Wales Millennium Centre and the Principality Stadium.
Due to the event's growing popularity, entry to the race was balloted for the first time this year.
More than 60,000 people entered the ballot, and the lucky winners will race through the city on the same course as the world's best runners.
"I think it's absolutely reinforced the popularity," says Run 4 Wales chief executive Matt Newman.
"It's a vote of confidence from runners who've run it and want to come back every year, and then there's an emerging market of younger runners who want to do it for the first time.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in