Cardiff Half Marathon

The Cardiff Half Marathon (Welsh: Hanner Marathon Caerdydd) (previously known as the Cardiff Marathon) is an annual half marathon race held in the Welsh capital city of Cardiff, taking place in October. The event was established in 2003,[1] initially alongside a marathon, and was originally organised by the children’s charity Barnardo’s. Now organised by Run 4 Wales, the race has grown to accommodate up to 25,000 runners. Also in partnership with the race is Cardiff Council, the Vale of Glamorgan Council, the Welsh Government, Welsh Athletics and title sponsors Cardiff University.

Cardiff Half Marathon
DateOctober
LocationCardiff, Wales
Event typeRoad
DistanceHalf Marathon
Primary sponsorCardiff University
Established2003
Course recordsMen's: 59:30 (2019)
Leonard Langat
Women's: 1:05:52 (2017)
Edith Chelimo
Official siteCardiff Half Marathon
Participants20,305 (2019)

The course has always been predominantly flat, making it ideal for first time runners and professionals alike (elite runners can gain free entry to the race). The next race will take place on 6 October 2019, with over 7500 places being taken within 24 hours of entries opening.[2] The event has incorporated the prestigious Welsh Half Marathon Championships; entitling the top three Welsh male and female finishers to represent Wales in an international half marathon. In 2018, the Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon hosted the inaugural Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships, with Australia and Uganda dominating proceedings.[3] The route includes some of Cardiff's landmarks, including the Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay Barrage, Pierhead Building and Roath Park Lake.

In 2018, 33% of the field fundraised in excess of £3m for a number of charities, making it Wales' largest fundraising event. It was also a record sell out for the event, with 25,000 entries sold out 6 months before race day.[4]

The event has grown considerably over the years and now attracts both UK and international runners – it is now known as one of the top events in the Autumn running calendar. Previous participants in Cardiff races include Paralympic champion Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, GB's most decorated track Olympian Mo Farah,[5] inspirational adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills.

The 2018 Race


In 2018, the Cardiff Half Marathon incorporated the first Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships, with athletes from all over the Commonwealth coming to run in Wales. The race saw athletes from Kenya, Uganda, Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Botswana, Sierra Leone, Mauritius and many more countries compete.[6]

It was Australia's Jack Rayner who ran the race of his life to take Commonwealth glory with a new personal best of 61:01. Uganda's Juliet Chekwel was victorious in the women's race, finishing in 69:45.[7]

Rayner's efforts in the men's event was not enough to win Australia a team victory as they settled for second best, finishing just behind Uganda. Uganda also managed no.1 in the team event in the women's race, with Australia once again coming second. Team England managed 3rd in both races. The event also gave Dewi Griffiths the chance to pull on his Welsh vest once more after enduring a tough year through injury, and he came home in 62:56.[7]

The 2018 race kept the IAAF Silver Label Road status[8] and sold out in just over 6 months, making it the most popular race in the event's history.

The 2017 Race

As the race grew in popularity, both novice and seasoned runners were wanting to get involved in the action. 2017 was the first year where the race completely sold out, selling 25,000 entries before the race. This was the first time it had happened in the race's fourteen-year history.[9]

The 2017 edition was awarded IAAF Silver Label Road status[10] for the first time.

2017 was another year for course records, with Kenya's John Lotiang running 60:42 in the men's field, and Edith Chelimo crossing the line in just 65:50. These records still stand.

The 2016 Race

In March 2016, the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships took place in Cardiff on the same course than the Cardiff Half Marathon. Following a successful sponsorship of the 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, Cardiff University was confirmed as the race's title sponsor, changing its name to Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon.[11]

The 2016 edition received IAAF Bronze Label Road status[12] and nearly 22,000 runners took part in the race confirming Cardiff’s place as the UK’s second-biggest half marathon and the third-largest road race behind the Great North Run and the London Marathon.[13]

The event saw Kenyans Shadrack Korir and Violah Jepchumba set course records in the men's and women's elite races.

The 2015 race

More than 22,000 runners took part in this 2015 Cardiff Half Marathon. Ugandan Ben Siwa won the men's race, breaking a 5-year run of victories for Kenyan athletes, while Lenah Jerotich from Kenya won the women's title. Around 2.4m was raised for over 800 charities.[14]

The 2014 race
View at the start of the 2014 Cardiff Half Marathon next to the Angel Hotel

The 2014 saw numbers increase further, with the race breaking 20,000 registrations for the first time in its history. With more numbers, the crowds came out in their droves to support their friends and family, with Welsh athlete Ieuan Thomas noting the 'electric' atmosphere generating in Cardiff.[15] Defending champion Loitarakwai Lengurisi lost his title to Boniface Kongin in 2014, with Joan Chelimo clocking 72:25 as she raced over the finish line as first placed female.[16]

The 2013 race
View westward along Tyndall Street

In 2013, numbers grew once more with over 14,000 runners taking on 13.1 miles. As competition grew fiercer, more records were broken as Loitarakwai Lengurisi and Purity Kimetto taking first position in the men's and women's elite race.[17]

The 2012 race

The 2012 race was the first edition organised by Run 4 Wales, with Andrew Lesuuda and Sue Partridge taking victories in the elite field. Sue Partridge clocked a 71:10 personal best, holding off stiff competition from Kenyan athletes in her footsteps. Dewi Griffiths, who would later go on to become a Cardiff Half Marathon star, won the men's Welsh Championships, with Caryl Jones taking the women's title.[18]

The 2011 race

The 2011 Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half Marathon was a sell-out with a record number of runners taking part.

Kenyan Edwin Kiptoo won the 2011 Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half Marathon and claimed a course record, running 13.1 miles in 1 hour 3 minutes and 27 seconds. Kenyans dominated the top three, with Andrew Lesuuda and Edwin Kipkorir, last year’s winner, taking 2nd and 3rd. The women’s race was won by Kenyan Alice Mogire, with a time of 1:11:26. Second and third place were taken by Poland’s Agnieszka Ciolek and Kenyan Edinah Kwambai. The race attracted runners from all corners of the globe, including the US, Poland and Australia.[19]

Winning the Welsh Half Marathon Championships were Swansea Harriers’ Philip Matthews and Andrea Whitcombe.

Olympic silver medal winner and event patron Jamie Baulch started the race along with the Lord Mayor of Cardiff.

Thousands of runners raised money for almost 800 different charities and good causes. An estimated £1,000,000 was raised, with a team of 1200 people running for Barnardo’s, the race’s charity partner.[20][21]

The 2010 race

Every year the race attracts runners from all over the UK and further afield. It is fast becoming known as one of the top events in the autumn running calendar. The 2010 race attracted runners from all corners of the globe, including many from Europe, the US and Kenya.

Before the 2009 race took place, the event organisers announced the date of the 2010 Cardiff Half Marathon to be Sunday 17 October. Registrations opened immediately after the 2009 event. The Welsh Government were backing the race with a £75,000 grant, with the aim to get 20,000 runners competing in the race by 2012.[22] Wales' First minister Rhodri Morgan was so impressed with the 2009 event that he told the BBC he would do the race in 2010.[23]

The size of the field has dramatically expanded during the race’s history; from just under 1,500 runners in 2003 to 25,000 registrants in 2018. The race has grown to become the second biggest half marathon in the UK. The number of runners has grown year on year.

The Cardiff Half Marathon is now host to the Welsh Half Marathon Championships, recognising Wales’s best athletes. 2010’s winners were Cardiff AAC’s Michael Johnson and Neath’s Anne-Marie Hutchison. The race is also attracting elite runners from abroad. The 2010 race saw two foreign winners for the first time, with Edwin Kipkorir and Hellen Jemutai claiming first prize.

2010’s race also saw the debut of the Cardiff Family Fun Run. This special one mile (1.6 km) run allowed children and their families to enjoy running part of the course during the main race and gave the race a carnival atmosphere.

The 2009 race

The 2009 Cardiff Half Marathon took place on Sunday 18 October 2009 and was started by sprinter Jamie Baulch. Just over 11,000 runners signed up to participate in the race, with an estimated 18,000 spectators also coming to Cardiff to offer support.

The new and improved route took runners past famous city landmarks such as the Castle and the Wales Millennium Centre and included a run along the barrage and wetlands. It started on King Edward VII Avenue in Cathays Park near Cardiff City Hall, the race looped around towards Cardiff Castle. Runners were taken down St. Mary Street, before weaving their way back towards the Wales Millennium Centre. From there it was down towards the barrage, where competitors ran to Tracy Island. From the barrage switchback runners headed towards the Norwegian Church, Cardiff The Senedd and the beautiful Cardiff Bay area. Next it was the wetlands and Taff Embankment, before returning to the streets. Thereafter it was on to Llandaff Fields and Bute Park, before returning to the Castle for the final stretch to the finish line on King Edward VII Avenue.

The men's race was won by Simon Lawson of Lisvane, Cardiff. He broke his own record of being the fastest UK junior half marathon runner with a time of 1:05:48.[24] In second place was Michael Johnson, while Simon Jones, who won the 2007 and 2008 races, finished third.

Many participating runners were raising money for charity. Event organisers Barnardo's suggested that almost £1 million was raised by runners for a range of good causes.[25]

Highlights of the race were also broadcast on TV for the first time. S4C showed the programme the day after the event,[26] while Channel 4 were covering it on Sunday 8 November 2009 at 7:55 am.

Recent winners

Key:   Current course record

Table of recent winners.

Half Marathon (2003–present)
Year Date Men's winner Time (h:m:s) Women's winner Time (h:m:s)
20196 October Leonard Langat (KEN)59:30 Lucy Cheruiyot (KEN)1:08:20
20187 October Jack Rayner (AUS)1:01:01 Juliet Chekwel (UGA)1:09:45
20171 October John Lotiang (KEN)1:00:42 Edith Chelimo (KEN)1:05:52
20162 October Shadrack Korir (KEN)1:00:53 Violah Jepchumba (KEN)1:08:13
20154 October Ben Siwa (UGA)1:02:06 Lenah Jerotich (KEN)1:11:29
20145 October Boniface Kongin (KEN)1:02:02 Joan Chelimo (KEN)1:12:25
20137 October Loitarakwai Olengurisi (KEN)1:01:51 Purity Kimetto (KEN)1:14:21
201214 October Andrew Lesuuda (KEN)1:02:21 Susan Partridge (GBR) [27]1:11:10
201116 October Edwin Kiptoo (KEN)1:03:26 Alice Mogire (KEN)1:11:26
201017 October Edwin Kipkorir (KEN)1:02:07 Hellen Jemutai (KEN)1:10:49
200918 October Simon Lawson (GBR) [28]1:05:50 Genet Measso (ETH)1:15:01
200819 October Simon Jones (GBR) [29]1:07:48 Alice Braham (GBR)1:16:41
200714 October Simon Jones (GBR) [29]1:07:57 Rebecca Harrison (GBR)1:18:38
200615 October Simon Jones (GBR) [29]1:07:15 Rebecca Harrison (GBR)1:18:33
20059 October Phill Sly (AUS)1:08:38 Kelly Vennus (GBR)1:23:07
20043 October Adrian Marriott (GBR)[30]1:08:28 Helen Yule (GBR)1:27:46
2003 [31]28 September Adrian Marriott (GBR)[30]1:09:27 Claire Peock (GBR)1:27:24

Marathon (2003–2006)
Year Date Men's winner Time (h:m:s) Women's winner Time (h:m:s)
200615 October Mark Roberts (GBR)2:29:39 Michelle Awuye (GBR)2:58:41
20059 October Neo Molema (RSA)2:29:14 Vicki Perry (GBR)2:56:51
20043 OctoberJulian Baker2:28:33Ruth Pickvance [32]2:53:47
2003 [31]28 SeptemberRichard Gardiner2:24:32Ruth Pickvance [32]2:51:34

References
  1. "Race history". Cardiff Half Marathon. Archived from the original on 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  2. http://www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/7500-cardiff-half-places-gone-in-24-hours/
  3. http://www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/australia-and-uganda-dominate-commonwealth-half-marathon-championships/
  4. http://www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/cardiff-half-marathon-sold-record-time/
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/35903746
  6. Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships Preview
  7. Australia and Uganda dominate Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships
  8. IAAF (2018-10-05. Commonwealth contenders descend on Cardiff. IAAF. Retrieved on 2019-04-03.
  9. 2017 Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon Sold Out
  10. Halford, Paul (2017-10-01. Chelimo breaks UK all-comers' record at Cardiff Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2019-04-03.
  11. New Title Sponsor Announced For 2016 As Entries Go On Sale
  12. Ramsak, Bob (2016-10-02). Jepchumba dominates in Cardiff. IAAF. Retrieved on 2019-04-03.
  13. Capital set for biggest-ever Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon
  14. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-34437799
  15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-29497114
  16. https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events?event=1795
  17. https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events?event=1485
  18. http://www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/35/
  19. http://results.sporthive.com/events/6129220009908624384/races/377644
  20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2012-01-04.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1uzfw/SportingWalesIssue19/resources/37.htm
  22. WalesOnline. "Cardiff Half Marathon goal is 20,000 runners – Wales News – News". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  23. "UK | Wales | Morgan 'may do half-marathon'". BBC News. 2009-10-18. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  24. Katie Norman. "News – Cardiff News – Cardiff half marathon: the great south run". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  25. Norman, Katie. "The £1m race – Wales News – News". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  26. "S4/Clic". S4c.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-12-21.
  27. Susan Partridge at Power of 10
  28. Simon Lawson at Power of 10
  29. Simon Jones at Power of 10
  30. Adrian Marriott at Power of 10
  31. "Cardiff Marathon: How they finished". Wales Online. Wales Online. 1 October 2003. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  32. Ruth Pickvance at Power of 10
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