Cardiff Half Marathon

For everything you need to know as you prepare before, during and after the race on Sunday 1 October.

Download the official 2023 race brochure for 2023 by clicking the image below.

RACE PACK POSTAGE & COLLECTION

All packs should have arrived within 7 days of the event. If your pack has not arrived by Saturday 30 September 2023, you have lost it, or you registered using an old or incorrect address please click here for details on next steps.

If you are an overseas entrant, your pack will not be posted and you will need to collect it from our Event Village on Cardiff City Hall Lawns. We’ll be open between 08:00 – 16:00 on Saturday and from 07:00 on Sunday (half marathon race day). The race starts at 10:00.

BEFORE THE RACE

The Start

Running Number & Timing Chip

Your race pack contains a running number with an embedded timing chip. Pin the running number to the FRONT of your vest or t-shirt before the race to ensure your finish time is recorded.

The timing chip will enable us to provide you with a ‘chip time’ (beginning when your running number crosses the start line).

The solid background colour of your race bib (either white, green, red, blue, purple or
yellow) dictates your starting pen and race start time.

YOU MUST FILL IN THE EMERGENCY DETAILS ON THE BACK OF YOUR NUMBER.

Do not swap your bib number with another runner – it contains your unique emergency contact and health details and will invalidate insurance or lead to serious consequences if you were involved in a medical incident on the day.

Systems are in place to monitor the swapping of race numbers and those found to be doing so will be banned from future events and reported to the governing body.

Baggage

A baggage facility will be available before the race, open from 08:30am. It will be located on Museum Avenue near the Event Village in the Civic Centre. Runners can deposit one bag, which must display a baggage label (which is a tear-off strip on the bottom of your race number). Valuables are left at your own risk.

Toilets

There will be several banks of toilets around the Civic Centre in the Event Village, on the way to the start and near the starting pens, as well as within the first mile of the race and at each water station.

Race Times & Timing Pens

The Principality Building Society Cardiff Half Marathon will start on Castle Street from 10:00am on Sunday 1 October, with the elite wheelchair race beginning at 09:50am. The race has a staggered start to ensure all runners cross the start line as safely. The white, green and red start is at 10:00 (pens open at
09:15) and the blue, purple and yellow start is at 10:10 (pens open at 09:40). The solid background colour of your race bib (either white, green, red, blue, purple or yellow) dictates your starting pen and race start time. Please assemble at the back of your colourcoded pen, indicated via the coloured flags. You must assemble in the correct start pen for safety reasons and cannot move forwards
a pen, only backwards. The white pen is further sub-divided into elite and sub 1:30 areas on the morning of the race according to your race number and predicted time.

For safety reasons, runners must assemble in the correct colour start pen and cannot move forward a pen, only backwards.

DURING THE RACE

Cut Off Time & Road Re-Opening

The event carries a 4.5 hour cut off time, to ensure roads can safely re-open within a reasonable time frame to minimise impact on the city.

If runners fall behind the required pace to finish in this time a sweep vehicle will collect them. Those wishing to continue must do so on the pavement (as roads re-open) and do so at their own risk – no longer as a part of the event.

Your Safety

If at any time during the race you feel unable to continue, please stop, rest and locate the nearest marshal.

Medical teams will be on hand around the course, as well as at the start and finish areas. There is an event medical centre located directly at the finish line if you require treatment and a walk-in medical facility in the event village.

Spectators looking for lost or injured runners should report to the event information helpdesk in the event village on City Hall Lawns.

It is your responsibility to advise us if you have any special medical conditions and to ensure the medical information on the back of your race number has been completed.

In the unlikely event of a major incident, the Race Director and Emergency Services have the right to:

  • Alter or shorten the route, but still provide the race if possible
  • Stop the race at any time if deemed necessary to protect your safety.

Unwanted Clothes & Lost Property

If you lose something before or during the race, head to the Event Information helpdesk in the Event Village where there will be a lost property point. Beyond race weekend, contact us via email at [email protected].

Where possible, please avoid leaving clothes at the start. Any unwanted clothes left behind will be donated to charity.

Pacers

Pacers will be running with sail flags that correspond with the following times: 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45 and 3:00. Look out for them in your stating pen, they are a friendly bunch and there to enhance your experience and help you achieve your goal finish time!

Photography & Video

Our Photography Partner, Marathon Photos will be bringing you live photos during the race!

As soon as a photographer takes your photo, it will be live to view and purchase at marathonphotos.live.

Spectators

There are a number of brilliant locations around the course to watch the race, but spectators should take care at all times, use the crossing points provided and take heed and advice of marshals. You’ll find a dedicated spectator guide in your race pack that your loved ones can use for advice on the best places to cheer you on.

Course Entertainment

There will be a number of bands, entertainers and cheer stations situated around the route to offer you musical encouragement. New for 2023 – the Rainbow Roundabout at Roath Park, brought to you by Principality Building Society and Pride Cymru.

Drink & Energy Stations

Water (Brecon Carreg), energy gels (HIGH5) and energy drinks will be available around the route. Station locations are indicated on the course map.

Live Tracking

With our official live tracker app you can inspect the route pre-race, found out where to watch and track participants on race day with full Google Maps functionality. Find out more and download at cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/live-tracking

AFTER THE RACE

Finish Line & Commemorative Items

After finishing the race please continue moving through the finish line and post-finish area to collect your commemorative items (medal, water, finishers t-shirt and food items) to avoid congestion.

Medical staff will be on hand for anyone who needs medical attention.

Finisher t-shirts available between XS and 3XL sizes will be given out to the ratio of sizes requested at point of entry, therefore we cannot guarantee that your requested size will be available if others who finish ahead of you change their mind on the day.

We kindly ask all participants to collect the size they requested.

Meeting Points

A-Z meeting points will be positioned by the Crown Court on King Edward VII Avenue by the City Hall.

Elite Race Presentation Ceremony

The prize ceremony will take place at 11:30am near the finish line. Prizes will be awarded to race winners. For details of prizes visit cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk.

Changing Facilities & Showers

Male and female changing areas will be on offer at the baggage tents. Shower facilities will be available at Sport Wales in Sophia Gardens for a £1 charity donation to the NSPCC, payable at reception.

Physiotherapy

The Cardiff University Inspire Physiotherapy Programme will be providing physiotherapy services both before and after the race from the massage area in City Hall.

The service is free for all participants and is the perfect place to massage any pre-race niggles or work away the aches and pains after the race.

Lost Children

If you have lost a child or find a lost child on event day, please report it as soon as possible to the nearest event steward, security staff or police on site during the day. Alternatively, report to the Event Information helpdesk in the Event Village in front of City Hall where lost children will be looked after or reported.

Event Village

Head to the Event Village after the race to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy some entertainment, get a free massage or grab some tasty street food.

It’s located on City Hall Lawns. You’ll find more information about what’s happening here.

CARDIFF HALF JUNIOR

For information on Cardiff Half Junior, taking place on Saturday 30 September, please click here.

If you have any other queries about the event, please visit our FAQ page.