More than 29,000 runners will take part in the 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon in Cardiff this Sunday, in an edition that has underlined just how popular the race has become.
This year, entry to the Cardiff Half Marathon was balloted for the first time, a change that reflects the scale of demand for one of Wales' biggest road races. Run 4 Wales chief executive Matt Newman said the race's appeal had been clearly reinforced, describing the ballot as a vote of confidence from runners who want to return every year and from younger runners who want to experience it for the first time.
A race that has grown fast since 2003
The Cardiff Half Marathon began in 2003, and it has developed into a major one-day sporting event that closes some of the Welsh capital's best-known streets. The route passes landmarks including the Wales Millennium Centre and the Principality Stadium, giving the race a backdrop that has helped make it a standout fixture on the running calendar.
Newman also acknowledged the downside of the ballot system. Some would-be participants were disappointed not to get a place for Sunday, and he said Run 4 Wales is conscious of that as the event continues to grow.
Personal stories behind the start line
Alongside the size of the field, the race also brings together runners with deeply personal reasons for taking part. One of them is Louis Price, who had open-heart surgery last year after a scan in January 2025 showed that his condition was deteriorating a little bit. He said the official diagnosis was unicuspid aortic valve.
Price said he wanted to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and help raise awareness for younger people with heart defects. It is a reminder that, even in a mass-participation event with more than 29,000 entrants, many runners arrive with individual stories that give the day its meaning.
With participants ranging in age from 17 to 85, the Cardiff Half Marathon once again combines elite-level race atmosphere, city-centre spectacle and personal milestones. For the Welsh capital, this Sunday's event is set to be one of the biggest on the calendar.
