Thousands of runners will take part in the Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday, October 4, with the main race starting at 10am on Castle Street. The elite wheelchair race begins slightly earlier at 9.57am, and organisers have staggered the start to ensure all runners cross the line safely.
The colour of each runner's race bib dictates their starting pen and race start time. The white, green, red, and pink start is at 10am with pens opening at 9.15am. The blue, purple, and yellow start follows at 10.10am with pens opening at 9.40am.
The event has a four-hour cut-off time to allow roads to safely re-open and minimise congestion in the city centre, meaning the race is likely to finish at 2pm or shortly afterwards. The Cardiff Half Marathon website states: "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."
Race route and where to watch
The route begins outside Cardiff Castle, heading past the Principality Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium en route to Penarth. Competitors pass through Penarth Marina before crossing the barrage and making their way through Cardiff Bay, taking in the Norwegian Church, the Senedd, and Wales Millennium Centre. The route then sweeps northwards through the city, where runners complete a circuit of Roath Park Lake before a spectacular finish at the Civic Centre.
Recommended spectator zones include Castle Street, away from the city centre towards the River Taff, which offers an excellent opportunity to spot runners shortly after the start line, clear of congestion around the starting pens. Organisers also recommend Corbett Road, which provides views of the race's closing stages from both sides of the road, complemented by big screens, live music, and prize giveaways. Tiered standing terraces along King Edward VII Avenue offer an outstanding view of runners crossing the finish line.
Disabled viewing areas are available at the start (reserved area) and finish (viewing platform), though access can be limited due to high spectator volumes, so early arrival is advised. Viewing areas are on a first-come, first-served basis with security present throughout the day. Organisers ask spectators to follow the instructions of safety stewards at all times.
Road closures and travel disruption
Cardiff city centre is expected to experience significant congestion in the run-up to and on race day itself, with widespread road closures making travel disruption highly likely. Residents and visitors are advised to plan routes ahead of time and factor in additional travel time.
From 5am on Wednesday, September 30, until 11.59pm on Monday, October 5, College Road will be shut from its junction with Museum Avenue to its junction with King Edward VII Avenue. From 5am on Thursday, October 1, until 11.59pm on Monday, October 5, King Edward VII Avenue will be closed from its closed end with Boulevard de Nantes to its junction with City Hall Road. From 5am on Friday, October 2, until 11.59pm on Sunday, October 4, several roads will be closed, including King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, Gorsedd Gardens Road, and City Hall Road.
On race day, between 4am and 12pm, closures include North Road south of its junction with Boulevard de Nantes to its junction with the A4161, the A4161 to Kingsway, Kingsway to Duke Street, Duke Street and Castle Street in their entirety, and Cowbridge Road East to Cathedral Road. Between 6am and 10.45am, North Road will be closed from Colum Road to Boulevard de Nantes. Between 10am and 3.10pm, Colum Road and Park Place will be closed. Diversion routes will be in place where required.
For security measures, access to Beatty Avenue will be restricted to vehicles entering from Lake Road North only, entry to Queen Anne Square will be controlled via Colum Road and Corbett Road, and Lady Mary Road will be shut from Maryport Road through to Lake Road East.
A rolling road closure will be in place along the race route on Sunday, October 4, between 8.30am and 3.10pm, with roads reopening as soon as conditions allow. The route travels along Cowbridge Road East, Wellington Street, Leckwith Road, Sloper Road, Penarth Road, Cardiff Bay Barrage, Harbour Drive, Roald Dahl Plas, Terra Nova Way, Penarth Portway, Britannia Quay, Pierhead Street, Bute Place, Lloyd George Avenue, Herbert Street, Tyndall Street, East Tyndall Street, Windsor Road, Adam Street, Fitzalan Place, West Grove, Richmond Road, Albany Road, Penylan Road, Blenheim Road, Marlborough Road, Ninian Road, Fairoak Road, Lake Road East, Lake Road West, Cathays Terrace, Corbett Road, and Museum Avenue, where the race finishes.
Vehicle access to Cathays Cemetery will be provided via Allensbank Road until Fairoak Road reopens. Residents and businesses in Cardiff Bay will be provided with further details of a diversion route managed by Cardiff council, running via Celerity Drive, Craiglee Drive, Letton Way, Lloyd George Avenue, and Bute Place. Once road closures in the area are lifted, access and egress will return to normal.
