01 — The Race
One of the UK's flattest, fastest half marathons
The Cardiff Half Marathon is the UK's second largest half marathon and one of Europe's most popular city races. In 2026 it returns on Sunday 4 October as the Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon, part of the SuperHalfs series and a World Athletics Elite Label road race. Famous for its fast course and incredible crowd support, it draws in 27,500 runners each year.
Passing the Wales Millennium Centre · Cardiff Half Marathon
The race starts at 10:00 on Sunday, October 4, 2026 outside Cardiff Castle on Castle Street. Runners are placed into colour-coded waves based on expected finish time, so your exact start time depends on your wave. Arrive at least 60 minutes early.
The course starts outside Cardiff Castle and heads down past the Principality Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium toward Penarth. You'll take in the glorious Penarth Marina before crossing the Cardiff Bay Barrage and heading into Cardiff Bay, running right past the Norwegian Church, Senedd, and Wales Millennium Centre. The course then heads north through the city, completes a loop of beautiful Roath Park Lake, and returns for a grandstand finish at the Civic Centre on King Edward VII Avenue.
The course · 13.1 miles through Cardiff and Penarth
The course is predominantly flat with a maximum elevation of just 35 metres and total elevation gain of 81 metres. Race it smart, use the downhills to your advantage and it becomes a great course to chase a PB. There is a small climb at mile 3, then again at mile 12, and a slight incline up to the finish line. Worth knowing about, but nothing scary.
Course profile · Max elevation 35m · Total gain 81m
The atmosphere is what runners talk about most. Thousands of spectators line the streets, with bands, choirs, brass bands, DJs and cheer points. Your bib has your name on it, so the crowd will cheer you by name from start to finish.
For the official race page and full course details, visit the Cardiff Half Marathon website.
02 — Getting There
How to get to Cardiff
Cardiff is well connected by train, road, and air. For most international runners, the easiest route is via London — the train from London Paddington to Cardiff Central takes under two hours and runs hourly. If you're flying in, Cardiff Airport (CWL) is a small regional airport with limited international routes, so many travellers fly into Bristol or London instead.
Train
Direct from London Paddington to Cardiff Central in 1h 47m, hourly via Great Western Railway. Tickets typically £40–80 depending on how far in advance you book. The most reliable, comfortable option from London.
Cardiff Airport (CWL)
12 miles from the city centre. Limited European and UK routes. From the airport: train from Rhoose station to Cardiff Central in ~31 min, or the 304 bus in around 1h 20m.
Bristol Airport (BRS)
A great alternative for international travellers. More flights, more options. Take the Bristol Flyer airport bus to Bristol Temple Meads, then a 50-minute train to Cardiff Central.
From Heathrow
Heathrow Express to London Paddington (15 min, every 15 min), then GWR train to Cardiff Central (under 2 hrs). Around 4 hours door to door from arrival.
National Express coach
From London Victoria to Cardiff in around 3h 30m. Cheaper than the train (typically £25–40) but slower. Worth considering if budget matters more than speed.
Book trains early. Advance fares from London to Cardiff can be a third of the price of walk-up tickets. Trainline and the GWR website both work well.
Make it a bigger trip. Cardiff is easy to combine with a few extra days in Bristol or London. Bristol is just 50 minutes away by train, and London under 2 hours. A great way to turn race weekend into a proper trip away.
03 — Where to Stay
The neighbourhoods that make sense for race weekend
Cardiff is a compact city, so almost anywhere central works. The race starts and finishes in the city centre — so staying in or near the centre saves you the pre-race transport stress. That said, the city is small enough that even a hotel in Cardiff Bay is only a 15-minute walk or short bus ride from the start.
City Centre / Castle Quarter
Best for race day convenience
Walking distance to the start and finish, with Cardiff Castle, Bute Park and the Principality Stadium all on your doorstep. The best mix of convenience and atmosphere. Try The Parkgate Hotel, Hotel Indigo or Park Plaza.
Cardiff Bay (Butetown)
Best for waterfront vibes
Modern, scenic, and on the race course. Restaurants and bars at Mermaid Quay, the Wales Millennium Centre next door. About a 15-minute walk or short train ride to the start. Try Voco St David's Cardiff or The Coal Exchange Hotel.
Pontcanna
Best for trendy + leafy
A short walk or bus ride from the centre. Tree-lined streets, brilliant brunch spots, and a residential feel. Quieter and a bit more local. Pontcanna Inn is a popular choice.
Cathays
Best for budget + central
Right next to the city centre and on the race course. Lots of student energy, good food, and reliably affordable. Easy walk to the start.
Book early. The Cardiff Half is one of the UK's biggest race weekends and the city's hotels fill up fast. Prices rise significantly closer to race day.
04 — Where to Eat
Where to eat the night before (and after)
Cardiff has a strong, varied food scene with everything from independent Italian spots to brilliant brunch cafés. For race weekend, you don't need anything fancy — just somewhere reliable, calm, and carb-friendly.
The night before: carb up, keep it simple
Pasta with a tomato or olive oil-based sauce is the classic choice. Skip heavy cream sauces, fried foods, anything spicy, and alcohol. Save the Welsh pints and Sunday roast for after the race. Here are some solid dinner options:
01
Svago (City Centre)
Independent Italian with a relaxed atmosphere and reasonably priced menu. Linguine pomodoro and spaghetti carbonara are reliable choices. Vegan options available. Easy walk from most central hotels.
02
Signor Valentino (Cardiff Bay)
Classic Italian with views of the bay. A solid pre-race option if you're staying in the Bay. Book ahead — it gets busy on weekends.
03
Pizza Pilgrims (City Centre)
Neapolitan-style pizza right in the city centre. Simple, fresh, and a great carb-base option without the formality of a sit-down dinner. No need to book if you arrive early.
04
Riverside Market (Sundays)
Across from Principality Stadium, open Sunday mornings — perfect for a post-race wander with food, drinks and crafts. Worth knowing about for after the race.
05
The Arcades (Royal Arcade and beyond)
Cardiff's famous Victorian arcades are home to some of the best casual spots in the city. In the Royal Arcade, look out for Fresh the Baguette Bar for a simple, solid lunch, and Uncommon Ground Coffee Roastery — perfect for a celebratory slice of cake after the race.
Race morning: keep it familiar
Eat what you train with. Don't try anything new. If you rely on toast with peanut butter and jelly before a long run, find a Tesco, Sainsbury's or Co-op the night before and stock your hotel room. They're all over Cardiff. Welsh cakes are wonderful, but race morning is not the time to experiment.
Post-race: you've earned it
After you've crossed the finish and collected your medal, head to Mermaid Quay in Cardiff Bay for a celebratory meal or pint by the water. For craft beer fans, the Brewery Quarter is the place. And if you want a Welsh souvenir bite, grab some Welsh cakes from Fabulous Welshcakes (opposite Cardiff Castle).
Welsh cakes are a must-try
Sunday roast culture is real. If you're staying through Sunday evening or into Monday, a proper Welsh Sunday roast at one of Cardiff's pubs is the perfect post-race meal. Most pubs serve them all afternoon.
05 — Getting Around
Walking, buses, and the occasional Aquabus
Cardiff is one of the most walkable cities in the UK. Most of central Cardiff is small enough that you won't need transport at all — Cardiff Castle is a 10-minute walk from Cardiff Central station. For everywhere else, buses, trains, and bikes have you covered.
Walking
The city centre is compact. Cardiff Castle to Cardiff Bay is about a 30-minute walk along the river. On race day, road closures mean walking is often the fastest way to the start.
Bus
Cardiff Bus runs an extensive network across the city. The Bus Interchange is right outside Cardiff Central station. Contactless payment works on board. Single fares are typically £2.
Train
Cardiff Central is the main hub. Cardiff Queen Street station is in the eastern part of the city centre. Transport for Wales runs frequent services to Cardiff Bay and surrounding areas.
Aquabus
A water taxi from Bute Park (city centre) to Cardiff Bay. Takes around 25 minutes and costs about £4 one way. A scenic alternative to walking or the bus.
Bike rental
Nextbike has docking stations across the city. Cardiff has plenty of dedicated cycle lanes. Save the bike rides for after the race — you'll want fresh legs on Sunday.
Taxi / Uber / Bolt
Black cabs and ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) all operate in Cardiff. Useful for early mornings or late nights, less so during race day road closures.
On race morning: Use public transport or walk. Many city centre roads close from early morning, including the area around Cardiff Castle and the Civic Centre. Driving in is not recommended.
06 — Race Day
What to expect when you get there
The Cardiff Half is one of the most well-organised races in the UK. With 27,500 runners on a closed course right in the city centre, knowing what to expect makes everything easier.
Bib pickup — international entrants
If you're an overseas runner, collect your race pack at the outdoor Event Village in the Civic Centre on Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd, or Sunday 4th October 2026. UK-based entrants typically get their race pack posted to them ahead of the event.
The start line outside Cardiff Castle · Cardiff Half Marathon
On race morning
- Arrive at least 60 minutes before the 10:00 start. The Event Village is in the Civic Centre on Museum Avenue. Bag drop opens at 08:30.
- Bag drop is on Museum Avenue (between the big buildings) near the Event Village. It gets super busy on race morning so be on time to avoid a long queue.
- Toilets are well distributed — at the Event Village, on the way to the start, near the starting pens, within the first mile of the course, and at every water station.
- Pens are colour-coded — follow the coloured arrows to your correct starting pen. Pacers in each pen carry flags showing 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45, 3:00, 3:30 and 4:00.
- Walking to the start line is your warm-up. Once there, there's not a lot of space to do a proper run. If you are starting in a slower pen, the volume of runners may mean you'll be on your feet for 5–10 minutes before crossing the start, and you'll start slowly. Just something to be mentally aware of.
- Bring a throwaway layer. October in Cardiff can be chilly at the start, especially in the wind, but you'll warm up fast once running.
- There are four aid stations along the route, with water, energy gels and energy drinks. Bring your own gels if you have a preferred brand.
After the finish
The finish is on King Edward VII Avenue near the Civic Centre — exactly where the Event Village is. Recovery snacks, music, and a festive atmosphere await. The first few minutes after finishing can be congested, so don't rush. Find your bag drop, take a breath, and enjoy the moment.
07 — Things to Do
Making the most of Cardiff beyond the race
Cardiff is small, but it punches well above its weight. You can see most of the highlights in a day or two, and the city is friendly, walkable and full of character. Save the bigger walks and bike rides for after the race.
The must-sees
🏰
Cardiff Castle
2,000 years of history right in the city centre. Roman walls, Norman keep, Victorian Gothic interiors. Easy to fill 1–2 hours. Climb the keep for views over the city.
🌳
Bute Park
Right behind Cardiff Castle. The perfect spot for a recovery walk after the race. Cherry blossoms in spring, wide green lawns, river views. A local favourite.
🌊
Cardiff Bay & Mermaid Quay
Wales Millennium Centre, the Senedd, and the Norwegian Church (where Roald Dahl was baptised). Restaurants, bars, and waterfront walks.
🛍️
Victorian Arcades
Cardiff is known as the City of Arcades. Independent boutiques, cafés, and Spillers Records — the world's oldest record store. Tucked between the main shopping streets.
🖼️
National Museum Cardiff
Free to visit. Monet, Van Gogh, dinosaur skeletons, and the evolution of Wales. Right next to the Civic Centre — perfect for the day before or after the race.
🏉
Principality Stadium tour
For rugby fans, a tour of Wales' iconic national stadium. Walk the pitch, see the dressing rooms, climb to the highest seats. Right in the city centre.
🌅
Penarth seafront
A short train ride south. Victorian pier, pebbly beach, art-deco charm. You'll run past it on the course, but it's worth a proper return visit.
🏯
Castell Coch
A fairytale red castle on the city's outskirts, about 15 minutes by car or bus. Worth the trip if you have a half-day to spare.
Pontcanna brunch is a Cardiff thing. Pontcanna is a leafy neighbourhood just west of the city centre, known for its independent cafés and relaxed weekend energy. If you have Saturday morning free, head to Milkwood or one of the other Pontcanna spots for proper brunch. A nice way to spend a few hours before bib pickup.
08 — Runner Tips
Things runners wish they'd known
Collected from race reviews, runner accounts, and people who've done it multiple times. The stuff that doesn't make it onto the official race website.
The course is pretty flat, but watch out for the small hill around mile 3 and mile 12. Don't burn yourself out before then.
— Multiple runner reviews
There's also a slight incline up to the finish line. People will be shouting for you to do a sprint finish. You don't have to. Cross the line however you want.
— Race report, The Runner Beans
Your bib has your name on it in big letters. The crowd will cheer you by name the entire way. It sounds small but it really does change the race experience.
— Cardiff Half runner, 2024
The atmosphere is one of the best in the UK. Bands, choirs, the cheer point. Give high fives, soak it up. You may even run faster thanks to it.
— Multiple race reports
Don't drive in on race day. Roads in the city centre close from early morning. Use public transport, walk, or stay close enough to walk to the start.
— Cardiff Half organisers + runner experience
Book your hotel the moment you get your ballot result. The 2025 race sold out in a matter of minutes and hotels follow the same pattern. The earlier you book, the better the rate.
— RunLetters recommendation
One more thing
A fun shake-out run
A 10K shake-out route I love for Cardiff race weekend — through Bute Park, along the river, and around the bay. Easy on the legs, scenic, and a great way to see the city the day before the race.
Download GPX →
Ready to train for Cardiff?
The RunLetters 16-week half marathon coaching program is built for runners like you — consistent, motivated, and ready to race smart. The Cardiff cohort kicks off June 15, 2026.
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