Enter for 2026

There has been an unprecedented growth in demand for the Cardiff Half Marathon (the 2025 event sold out completely in a matter of hours), with much higher demand than the number of available spots. As the popularity of the race continues to grow, replacing the first-come, first-served entry process with a Ballot ensures fairness for all, whilst balancing the needs of home runners, charity fundraisers and those from overseas looking to complete the SuperHalfs series.

Introducing a Ballot means those keen to secure a ticket avoid a potentially time consuming and frustrating first-come, first-served ticket launch that sells out within a matter of minutes or hours. It means not having to be online at a specific moment (sometimes needing to wait in a queue), which doesn’t guarantee entry, and means if you’re busy, in a different time zone, or have slow internet, you’re at a disadvantage. The Ballot, drawn at random will ensure fairness, remaining open over a period of several weeks (until Sunday 19 October at midnight), giving everyone keen to take part ample opportunity to register.

This will depend on the number of Ballot entries received. Whilst the popularity of the race has grown significantly, the chances of securing an entry through the Ballot remain high versus well-known ticket lotteries like the TCS London Marathon and Glastonbury Festival.

A number of ‘Skip the Ballot’ options are being offered for those keen to bypass the Ballot and secure an entry immediately. These include: Welsh Distance Double Bundle, CDF Training Bundle, Welsh Athletics Entry & NSPCC Fundraiser Entry. After the Ballot has been drawn, those unsuccessful will also have the option to secure a space via official race charities and tour operators, or via a Business Challenge package.

A Bundle ticket including entry into the ABP Newport Marathon on 19 April 2026. These are priced at £104 (offering a £12 saving) with 500 tickets available.

A Bundle ticket including entry into the CDF 10K on 6 September 2026. These are priced at £86 (offering a £6 saving) with 500 tickets available.

Enter for £40 when pledging to fundraise £300 for our Lead Charity.

1,500 spaces, with a £5 discount, have been reserved for members of Welsh Athletics keen to enter the Welsh Half Marathon Championships. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once these are sold out, WA members are welcome to enter the UK Ballot, but these entries will not be discounted.

The Ballot will open on Thursday 30 September and will close on Sunday 19 October at midnight.

Ballot results will be announced on Thursday 23 October via email. You should receive an email confirming if you have been successful by the end of the day. Those who have been successful will be automatically entered into the event and payment taken upon being drawn. They will receive a payment confirmation email from Let’s Do This.

It is free to enter the Ballot. You must enter all of your registration details, and payment information – so if you are successful, you will be automatically entered and do not need to take any further action. The UK Ballot Entry fee is £58* and the International Ballot Entry fee is £70*. *plus registration platform booking fee.

A separate UK and International Ballot will operate, with provisions made to ensure sufficient capacity for local supporters of the event as well as overseas runners looking to complete the SuperHalfs series. 1,500 discounted spaces have also been reserved for members of Welsh Athletics keen to participate in the Welsh Half Marathon Championships, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

With overseas participants typically travelling together in small groups, the International Ballot will include the option to enter as a Team of up to three runners. This will not increase your chances of being selected, as only one participant (the lead booker) will be entered into the draw, but if they are successful – they will be allocated entries for everyone on their team. Any participants entered into multiple teams (to increase their chances of selection) will be disqualified.

1,500 spaces, with a £5 discount (£53 entry fee), have been reserved for members of Welsh Athletics keen to enter the Welsh Half Marathon Championships. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Just select the ‘Welsh Athletics Entry’ ticket option on the registration page. Once these 1,500 spaces have sold out, WA members are welcome to enter the UK Ballot (£58 entry fee).

You can sign up to run for Lead Charity NSPCC as soon as the Ballot opens, just select the ‘NSPCC Fundraiser’ ticket on the registration page. Registration for all other charities will open on Ballot results day (Thursday 23 September 2025), with a full list of charities able to view at: www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/charity/running-for-charity-list-of-associated-charities/.

With overseas participants typically travelling together in small groups, the International Ballot will include the option to enter as a Team of up to three runners. This will not increase your chances of being selected, as only one participant (the lead booker) will be entered into the draw, but if they are successful – they will be allocated entries for everyone on their team. Any participants entered into multiple teams (to increase their chances of selection) will be disqualified. There is no team entry option for the UK Ballot, but spaces will be available via our Business Challenge packages for corporate teams.

Those successful in securing a space via the Ballot will be automatically entered into the event (and payment for their entry taken). Taking payment card details with Ballot applications allows for a seamless registration process, and funds are only taken from successful entrants at the time of the draw. No funds are taken from unsuccessful ballot entrants.

When entering the ballot, you’ll be asked to provide payment details to cover the entry fee (and any optional merchandise). Your bank may request you to authorise this payment in order to complete your entry, but no money will be taken from your account at that stage. Please ensure you have sufficient funds available at the time of the ballot draw. Account activity may appear differently depending on your bank, so if you have any questions, please contact your bank directly.

Once your ballot entry has been submitted, you cannot update your payment card details. To use a different card, you would need to withdraw your current entry and re-enter the ballot with the new details. If you wish to withdraw, please email us at [email protected], including your full name, date of birth, and postcode so our customer services team can locate your entry. Withdrawal requests must be submitted before the withdrawal deadline (Friday 17 October at 4pm).

To request withdrawal from the ballot, please email us at [email protected] and include your full name, date of birth, and postcode so our customer services team can locate your entry. Your request must be submitted before the withdrawal deadline (Friday 17 October at 4pm).

All ballot entrants will receive an email confirming whether or not they have been successful. We aim to notify you shortly after the ballot is drawn, and no later than the end of the day on Thursday 23 October. Don’t forget to check your junk mail box too. The draw takes place over several hours, with emails sent in batches so please be patient – all will be sent by the end of the day. Payment will also be taken from the bank account you have entered with, which is another way of seeing if you have been successful or not.

If you are successful in the ballot, you will automatically be allocated a place and are bound by the event’s terms and conditions. Please note that the two-week cooling-off period outlined in the terms and conditions does not apply to ballot entries, so only enter if you are certain you wish to take part. You may withdraw from the ballot up until 4pm on Friday 17 October.

If you’ve been successful in the ballot, you will automatically be allocated a place, your registration confirmed, and payment will be taken. You will also be bound by the event’s terms and conditions.

As per our terms and conditions, Ballot entries are non-refundable (with limited exceptions, including major health issues and pregnancy). Participants no longer able to take part do have the option to gift their space to another participant, free of charge, up until our entry changes deadline, typically around 6 weeks before the race. You’ll find more details at https://www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/event-info/transferring-your-entry/. Once withdrawn your space cannot be reinstated.

If you are an ‘ever present’ – and have participated in every edition of the race since the inaugural edition in 2003 – you can secure an entry even if you are unsuccessful. Please email [email protected] after the Ballot results are drawn with proof of your participation in every event (such as imagery, medals or inclusion in results data). If you are already known to us, you will not need to re-submit evidence.

The 60-month limit has also now been removed, so no deadline – no stress. Take your time, enjoy the journey, and if you’re stuck, we’re here to help. Special support has been introduced for runners who have been unable to complete a SuperHalfs race for a period of two years. You’ll find more information on the FAQs page of the SuperHalfs website. Alternative entry options also remain, including via official race charities and tour operators, or via a Business Challenge package.

Unfortunately, if the payment fails, your application is now unsuccessful and the space offered to another ballot applicant. We have contacted all applicants prior to the ballot draw, reminding them to check they have sufficient funds in their bank account.

Remember to quadruple check your junk mail box, but if you do not receive an email by Sunday 26 October, your next steps are:

– Log into your Let’s Do This account
– Check booking tab

If there is a booking for 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon, you have been successful and if there is no booking you have been unsuccessful.

Another option is to check your banking apps for a payment on or around 23rd October to Let’s Do This or Run 4 Wales, this is a positive sign.

You will then need to get access to your Let’s Do This account – if this isn’t possible, please contact their team then come back to us as a last resort at [email protected].

Please do not email about transfers, the transfer window is not yet open.