We’ve had some fantastic elite race moments over the years. Read about some of the most memorable performances, and personal stories from some of the elite athletes themselves below.
Leonard Langat – 2019
Leonard Langat took 73 seconds off the course record in 2019, pipping fellow Kenyan, and 2016 champion, Shadrack Kimming by a mere two seconds.
He won the race in 00:59:30.
Danny Sidbury – 2019
Danny Sidbury set a new course record in 2019, when he set an all-new Cardiff University Cardiff Half Marathon wheelchair best, finishing in 51:34.
Jack Rayner – 2018
Australia’s Jack Rayner beat off the Ugandans and Kenyans in the race of his life to take the men’s title in 2018. The race was hosting the 2018 Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships. He ran a massive personal best of 61:01. There was an Aussie take-over in Cardiff, as they walked away with a gold and three silver medals.
Edith Chelimo – 2017
Kenya’s Edith Chelimo was the winner of the women’s race in 2017 and came home 17th overall. Her time of 65:52 was a UK All-Comers record, and made her the fifth fastest female half marathon athlete of all time.
Dewi Griffiths – 2017
Dewi achieved a superb personal best in 2017, running an incredible 61 minutes 32 seconds. He placed fourth in the race overall and took the Welsh Championship title, becoming the second fastest Welshman of all time.
Melissa Nicolls – 2017
Melissa won the wheelchair race in 2017, beating all the men in an incredible 59:40.
Shadrack Kiming 2016
Shadrack outsprints Paris Marathon Champion Cyprian Kotut to win in 2016.
Geoffrey Kamworor – 2016
The defending World Half Marathon Champion, who fell at the start line, recovered to claim his second title at the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships in 2016. His time of 00:59:10 remains the course record. Geoffrey has since gone on to break the Half Marathon World Record at the Copenhagen Half Marathon.
Mo Farah – 2016
In what he calls one of the toughest races of his career, Britain’s Mo Farah won Bronze at the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships in 2016, piping the Ethiopian Abayneh Ayele to third in a time for 59:59. The Welsh public were able to get up close and personal with the athlete during race week, as he made appearances at the Cardiff Sports Expo and celebrated his birthday with local school children at a ‘Mo Inspires’ event.
Peres Jepchirchir 2016
Peres took the women’s title at the IAAF/Cardiff University World Half Marathon Championships, before breaking the world record in 2017.
Susan Partridge – 2012
The last time the elite men or women’s race saw a British winner was in 2012, when Susan Partridge led from the front and held off a competitive challenge from the chasing pack to take the victory and set a PB of 71:10.
Josh Griffiths
Jenny Nesbitt
James Thie
James is a World, European and Commonwealth 1500m Finalist
“Being part of both Alfie’s angels and Alfie’s army with Gareth Thomas was a special experience. Nothing better than sharing your own passion of running and seeing amazing people achieve things they didn’t think possible. The Cardiff Half marathon provided the perfect motivation and occasion to celebrate everything great about our sport!”
