Cardiff Half Marathon
 

Entering the Race

Half marathon entrants must be 17 years or older on the day of the race. Younger runners can take part in the Fun Run, Future Challengers and Toddler Dash races as part of the Cardiff Half Junior which takes place the day before.

Entry fees can be found on our registration page. There are different prices for General, Affiliated and Welsh Athletics entry. To claim an affilated athlete discount you will need to provide your running club name and UK Athletics membership number. Discounted entries are also available via a number of our charity partners.

On Thursday 31 August 2023 or when they sell out, whichever comes first. When general entries sell out, it will still be possible to register via an official charity until Thursday 31 August 2023.

If you entered online you will receive a confirmation email shortly afterwards. If this did not happen please contact us.

All runners who have been accepted into the race will be sent a race pack by post which will include important race information, race number and timing chip. It will arrive within 7 days of the event at the latest. If it does not, email [email protected] on the Friday of race weekend and we will arrange a replacement pack for collection at the race. We are unable to allocate replacements until this date, so please wait until then before contacting us, to allow the maximum amount of time for your pack to arrive. Rest assured, if you have a confirmation email and you contact us on the Friday before the event you will be able to particpate.

You are entitled to a refund within the first two weeks of signing up (the cooling off period). After this time, we are unable to give refunds or defer entries until next year’s race. You can transfer your place to a friend up until the advertised transfer deadline. Visit the ‘transferring your entry’ page of our website for more details. The cooling off period does not apply in the two weeks before the final entry deadline, as race packs will be put into production instantly to ensure you receive them in good time before the event – so please only enter if you are sure you are able to take part at this stage. Please note: Never swap your race number with any other runner outside of the official transfer service via our registration system as this could cause problems for our medical teams and results service. It will also invalidate insurance if the person running with your number is involved in an incident. If race organisers become aware of anyone who swaps their race number they will be disqualified and reported to British Athletics.

We do not operate a waiting list and the spaces of those dropping out of the race do not become available. The number of entries we accept is carefully calculated based on our knowledge of the expected number of drop outs, which is a consistent figure year on year.

ACTIVE manage our online registration system. You will need an ACTIVE account in order to sign up. You can use this account to administer your entry or make changes later on. Please note, every over 18 must create their own individual ACTIVE account to enter (you cannot enter someone else under your account) in order to sign our terms and conditions waiver. Under 18s must find an adult to enter on their behalf via their ACTIVE account. When the registration form asks “who is this entry for?” please select “someone else, under 18”.

 

Registration and withdrawal information

Affiliated and Welsh Athletics price types are for those registered with an athletics club – membership numbers must be stated during registration. The General Entry category is for those who are not registered with an athletics club. You will need to provide an up-to-date membership number upon entry so please have this handy and ensure that your club membership is up-to-date.

Changes to your entry can be made by logging into your account at https://myevents.active.com. This link is also included on your confirmation email. You will need to make any changes by our advertised transfer deadline (such as a change of address) to ensure we can administer your entry correctly.

It will arrive within 7 days of the event at the latest. If you are an Overseas Entrant, you will need to collect it from the Event Village. Overseas entrants will be emailed details on timing and locations for race pack pick up. If your race pack does not arrive in the post, email [email protected] on the Friday of race weekend and we will arrange a replacement pack for collection at the race. We are unable to allocate replacements until this date, so please wait until then before contacting us, to allow the maximum amount of time for your pack to arrive. Rest assured, if you have a confirmation email and you contact us on the Friday before the event you will be able to participate. All of the event information enclosed in the pack is also available to view on our website.

Finishers’ t-shirts will be given out on completion of the race. A medal will be given out separately. Please note that your race entry includes an opportunity to earn a finishers t-shirt and medal, which can be collected at the finish line upon completing the race. Those who do not turn up or complete the distance will not be eligible to collect finishers items.

As detailed in the terms and conditions signed when entering, a participant may withdraw free-of-charge up to two weeks after payment of the event fee (unless entering within two weeks of the closing deadline as all packs will be put straight into production at this point). Notice of withdrawal from the event must be communicated by emailing [email protected] stating clearly the desire to withdraw and putting the word WITHDRAWAL in the subject line of the email. Withdrawals will not be accepted by telephone. After the expiry of the two-week post payment period, the entry fee will not be refunded. Participants can withdraw at any point prior to the race. If you took out insurance with ACTIVE Refund, then you will need to contact them directly on either [email protected] or to submit a refund application on refund.active.com, as the insurance is a separate purchase to the event registration. Details should be on the bottom of your purchase receipt.

Entries cannot be deferred to the following year nor to any other event – but spaces can transferred to another runners.

Yes, you can transfer your place to a friend up until the advertised transfer deadline. Visit the ‘transferring your entry’ page of our website for more details. You will not need to exchange money with the person you are transferring with, they will pay upon accepting your transfer online and you will receive a full refund to your payment card. Please note: Never swap your race number with any other runner outside of the official transfer service via our registration system as this could cause problems for our medical teams and results service. It will also invalidate insurance if the person running with your number is involved in an incident. If race organisers become aware of anyone who swaps their race number they will be disqualified and reported to British Athletics.

Active Network are the company who provide our registration system; the admin fee charged by them is non-refundable and is separate from the Run 4 Wales entry fee.

Changes to your entry can be made by logging into your account at https://myevents.active.com. This link is also included on your confirmation email. You will need to make any changes by our advertised transfer deadline. Failing to change your address will mean your race pack arrives at your old address, and you will be liable for retreiving it. If the current occupant returns your pack to us, we will let you know.

You will be allocated a pen, depending on your predicted finishing time. Pen number ranges will vary depending on total competitor entries so therefore pen colours can vary between years, even when the same estimated time is given at point of entry. It is unfortunately not possible to change your allocated start pen, so please take care when completing your entry form to ensure you receive an appropriate allocation. The number of runners in each starting pen is carefully calucated to ensure a safe number of participants are in each, so it will not be possible to move forward into an earlier starting pen. You can however move back if you wish.

 

Running the Race

The half marathon is 13.1 miles or in metric 21.1km. Our course is measured by a AUKCM Grade 1/IAAF/AIMS Grade B Course Measurer and your finish time result will count towards any championship or qualifying time criteria.

As detailed in the terms and conditions of entry, the Principality Buidling Society Cardiff Half Marathon is a running race in which participants should make best efforts to complete the course within a 4 hour 30 minute cut-off point. In order to safely get the city moving again and protect all participants, after this time all roads will be reopened and throughout the race a sweep bus will collect those at the back of the race unable to keep up with the allotted 20 minute a mile pace. We encourage everyone to run as much as possible in order to avoid the cut-off time.

The race starts outside Cardiff Castle on Castle Street from 10am. The race will finish on King Edward VII Avenue. The event village is at City Hall Lawn outside Cardiff’s City Hall.

No. The course will be marshalled throughout.

We will have medical points along the route. If you are just too tired we will have vehicles to get you back to the start/finish area.

No participant may bring dogs, baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards, Nordic sticks, rollerblades, hand cycles, Kangoo Jumps, stilts, crutches, unauthorised bicycles or any other wheeled device on the course, except for hand propelled wheelchairs in the mass race (within a designated pen assigned by the organiser). Any bulky items or fancy dress which you wish to carry with you as part of a challenge must be cleared with the race director if it is likely to impact on your ability to complete the course within 4 hours 30 minutes or impede other participants.

The minimum age is 17 yrs of age on the day of the race.

Yes, we like to encourage lots of fancy dress participants – they help make the race really fun for spectators, families and runners. Please let us know if your costume is bulky a cleared with the race director if it is likely to impact on your ability to complete the course within 4 hours 30 minutes or impede other participants.

Avoid using headphones whilst running to limit the risk of injury to yourself and other participants. The Organiser will not be held responsible for incidents caused as a result of the use of headphones which inhibit the communication of important warnings or information from emergency services or course marshals.

Yes, each runner will be able to store one bag. The exact location of the bag storage facilities will be printed in the race brochure which will be sent to you in your race pack.

We welcome hand-propelled wheelchair competitors but there is a long incline early on at 3 miles on Penarth Road at the point of the first water station and a significant climb at 12 miles on Fairoak Road for about 300 metres that previous wheelchair participants have found difficult and have had to go up backwards. We wish to make you aware of this challenging feature ahead of the event so that you have no surprises on the day. You should also be aware that there are a number of speed bumps around the course, including along Penarth Portway in Penarth Marina at the 4 mile point and around Roath Park Lake between the 10-12 mile point. We are happy to give a complimentary entry and a high-viz bib to a support runner, should you need one. If so, please contact [email protected] or ring 029 2166 0790. If you are taking part without a support runner, we recommend that you attach a safety flag to your wheelchair, above runners’ head height so that you can be seen within the crowds. Please note that there is no support system for mechanical problems/punctures etc. around the course. If there is a problem, please report to the nearest steward who will assist in getting you to the finish area when it is practical to do so. Please state your estimated time when you enter so we have an idea of pace, to allocate a starting pen with those of a similar speed and ability so that you will be moving at the same pace as those around you. Please let us know if you have any queries/special requests and we will do our best to assist.

We are happy to give a complimentary entry and a high-viz bib to a support runner, should you need one. If so, please contact [email protected] or ring 029 2166 0790. Please note that complimentary guide runner spaces not available as part of charity/corporate packages.

No. Just turn up with your race number pinned to your top, and assemble in the correct starting pen on the morning of the race. You do not need to tell us you have arrived, or visit the Event Information Hub (unless you have a query for us).

 

Running for Charity

Yes. Please contact your chosen charity to obtain sponsor forms and support.

No, it is not compulsory – it is entirely up to you.

You can run for any charity of your choice, the charity does not have to be listed on our associated charities page in order for you to fundraise (so long as general entries are still available) – simply enter yourself in the race then contact the charity of your choice. if the race is sold out, only reserved spaces on offer via our official charities will remain available to obtain, with a fundraising obligation attached.

Sponsorship forms/running vests are to be obtained from your chosen charity direct, please contact them at your earliest convenience

 

General Information

You’ll get a fantastic, well organised race with good facilities including the opportunity to run on fully closed and marshalled roads. Your run will be chip timed – so you’ll receive an official result at the end of the race and your family and friends will be able to live track you during the race via the Run 4 Wales app. Water, nutrition and course entertainment will be available to you around the route and you will have the opportunity to earn a finishers t-shirt and medal, which can be collected at the finish line upon completing the race. Those who do not turn up or complete the distance will not be eligible to collect finishers items.

Full details of all road closures are available to view on the road closure section of our website.

Yes there will be photographers around the course although we cannot guarantee that you will be captured with so many participants out on the course. Their pictures will be available to purchase at: www.marathon-photos.com

There will be a designated family meeting area located in the Event Village, divided in alphabetical order according to surname.

All competitors are encouraged to keep checking this web site as new information will be added continually until race day. If you still cannot get an answer to your question, please contact us.

The race relies on our enthusiastic ‘Extra Milers’ volunteers, who fulfil a number of roles. If you’re not running it’s a great way to help ensure the event is a success and helps raise lots of money for charities to continue doing their vital work. If you’re a student it’s also great experience to put on your CV and a fun thing to do with friends. To find out more please email [email protected]

Official merchandise will be available to purchase in the Event Village. It’s also available to buy on the Run 4 Wales shop via our website.

Check back on the race weekend after the event to find your official result. It will also be included in your congratulations email and can be viewed on the Run 4 Wales app.

Run 4 Wales took on the management of the Cardiff Half Marathon in 2012. Results for all editions from 2012 onwards can be found on the ‘Race Results’ section of our wesite. Results for the 2011, 2010 and 2009 editions can be viewed at https://results.sporthive.com.

Our unisex finishers tees are available in sizes XS to 3XL. View our size guide here: cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/finishers-tee-size-guide/

Please contact us if you have any further questions:
[email protected] / 02921 660 790