Jungle themed fun for Cardiff University Festival of Running
The heart of the Welsh capital will be transformed into a jungle kingdom for the Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon Festival of Running.
Young cubs will get the opportunity to take their first steps at Wales’ largest mass-participation event on Saturday 5 October. Young runners and their families are being encouraged to dig out their best fancy dress to kickoff the biggest Cardiff Half weekend in style.
The Family Fun Run and Toddler Dash races are the main attractions during a jam-packed day of jungle fun, but there is something for all the family to go wild for at this year’s safari-style Festival of Running.
Runners are encouraged to join #TeamNSPCC to help the event’s title sponsor fight for every childhood in Wales. NSPCC Cymru/Wales will be at the centre of the action at their Inspiration Station to get the runners ready for their relaxed race around the Cardiff Civic Centre, or their 50m dash in the shadow of City Hall.
Some of Wales’ most recognisable characters will get the day underway with the popular mascot race at 11am before the youngest runners get their moment in the spotlight. The cute competitors will crawl, walk or run the 50 metres to the finish line from 11:15am before being rewarded with some special goodies, all for just a £2 donation to the event’s charity partner, NSPCC.
Then it’s the turn of around 1,500 young runners and their families to hit the streets of Cardiff for the Family Fun Run. Promising athletes and new runners will start and finish outside City Hall and race around Cardiff Civic Centre via Alexandra Gardens and North Road before a sprint to finish the 2.4km course.
A bespoke finishers’ t-shirt and medal featuring a unique jungle design will commemorate their achievements once they cross the finish line. The day will be rounded off with a jungle-themed bilingual story time, free and open to all on the Event Village stage.
The dash around the city will work up a lion’s hunger, but luckily Brains are offering free meals for kids who wear their medals to participating pubs around the city (T&C’s apply).
A host of come and try sports activities will be available to take part in throughout the day. Cardiff Blues will be in attendance to inspire the next generation of rugby heroes before the senior squad take-on Edinburgh in their first home game of the season just down the road at Cardiff Arms Park.
Welsh Athletics and Sport Cardiff will also be on site for youngsters to explore a range of sports on the City Hall lawns. Throughout the day there will be an exciting mix of live music, food and street entertainment to dive in to and keep everyone entertained. So, even if you’re not taking part in any of the events, there will be plenty to see and do.
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