Cardiff Half Marathon Disrupts Travel as 30,000 Runners Participate
Road closures and high demand mark the 23rd edition of the popular race, which includes elite international athletes and former sports stars.
Travel disruption and road closures are expected in Cardiff as approximately 30,000 runners prepare for the 23rd annual Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday. The 13.1-mile course will wind past notable city landmarks, including the Wales Millennium Centre and the Principality Stadium. Entertainment along the route will be provided by various bands and choirs.
The race is set to begin on Castle Street at 10:00 BST. Demand for the event was high, leading to a ballot system for entry for the first time last year, and no on-the-day registrations will be available. The Cardiff Half Marathon is part of the SuperHalfs series, which also includes races in Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Valencia, and Copenhagen, offering a special SuperMedal to participants who complete all six events.
The event holds a World Athletics Elite Road Race label, attracting competitors from Kenya, Ethiopia, USA, Australia, and the Netherlands. The elite field includes former world record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei, known for being the first athlete to complete a half marathon in under 65 minutes, and Gideon Kiprotich, the fastest registered male athlete.
Former Welsh rugby player Adam Jones will also be participating. Jones stated he decided to run after experiencing weight gain and feeling dissatisfied with his fitness level. He initially completed a "Couch to 5K" program, which led him to consider a 10k, and then the Cardiff Half Marathon as a suitable challenge. Jones expressed that he feels physically prepared and hopes to transfer the self-discipline he had as a rugby player to his running efforts. For his first half marathon, his primary goal is simply to finish the race. "I think for the first half marathon I just want to get round, really," he said.