Cardiff Council has confirmed that all roadworks and associated paraphernalia on Castle Street will be removed by the end of the day on Friday, October 2, and will "not impact runners or crowds for the event."
The Cardiff Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 4, starting outside Cardiff Castle. The 13.3-mile route passes the Principality and Cardiff City stadiums, loops round Penarth Marina and Cardiff Bay, heads towards Roath Park, and ends at the Civic Centre.
Roadworks and congestion
Work began on Castle Street in February this year to make the temporary road layout and cycleway permanent. While the road has remained open to traffic, congestion has regularly piled up across the length of the street, through Duke Street and onto North Road. Temporary traffic lights at the junction of Castle Street and Westgate Street have also contributed to the congestion.
The removal of the roadworks comes as thousands of runners and supporters are expected in the city for the event. More than 27,500 runners and thousands of supporters are expected for the Cardiff Half Marathon, which kicks off on Castle Street at 10am.
Race start times and pens
The event will start on Castle Street from 10am on Sunday, October 4, although the elite wheelchair race will begin slightly earlier at 9.57am. Start times have been staggered to ensure all runners cross the start line safely. Runners' bibs will indicate which pen they start in, based on the solid background colour of the bib.
The white, green, red, and pink start is at 10am with pens opening at 9.15am. The blue, purple, and yellow start is at 10.10am with pens opening at 9.40am.
Road closures and travel advice
Much of the city's roads will be closed off for the event. Some are already closed to prepare for October 4, some will close for the race's duration, and there will be a number of rolling closures throughout race day.
Visitors to Cardiff should also be aware of train alterations, as Wales face Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium. Transport for Wales said it has worked in partnership with Run 4 Wales to build on feedback from last year's event. The rail operator said it has put on additional services and extra capacity on key routes into Cardiff to ensure runners get to the start line in time.
