Record-Breaking Cardiff Half Marathon Draws Thousands

The streets of Cardiff were abuzz with excitement as record numbers of runners and spectators gathered for the city’s annual half marathon event. Now in its 21st year, the Cardiff Half Marathon continues to grow in popularity, with over 29,000 participants registered for this year’s race, marking a new record for the event.

The weekend festivities began with junior races on Saturday, setting the stage for the main half marathon on Sunday. The event drew elite athletes, participants in elaborate costumes, and numerous runners raising funds for charitable causes.

A strong elite field competed at the half marathon, with notable performances by Kenyan runners. Patrick Mosin emerged victorious in the men’s race, surpassing the previous year’s champion, Vincent Mutai. Post-race, Mosin expressed his joy: “It was tough out there, but I tried my best and I’m so happy to win.” He added that the support from fans was an incredible motivator throughout the race.

Miriam Chebet dominated the women’s category, not only winning but also setting a personal best time. The wheelchair race delivered a captivating competition featuring married couple Callum and Jade Hall. Callum claimed victory with a finishing time of 55:05, while Jade won the women’s race, clocking in at 57:57. Callum commented on their competitive family dynamic, “I had a feeling my wife Jade was going to win, so I had to step up and win otherwise I would never have lived that down.”

Among the runners, Cowbridge breast surgeon Zoe Barber made headlines by setting a new Guinness World Record for the fastest half marathon by a female dressed as a cartoon character. Dressed as Belle from “Beauty and the Beast,” Barber completed the race in 1:41:57, surpassing the previous record of 1:53:26. “I’m so chuffed,” she said, despite the difficulty of racing in costume.

This year’s theme, “A Race For Everyone,” highlighted the event’s focus on inclusivity. The 100 Club included diverse groups such as Oasis Cardiff and Cardiff Muslim Runners, and the Principality Rainbow Roundabout returned to provide support to participants.

The marathon also attracted a significant international presence, with more than 3,000 overseas entrants. Nearly 200 runners completed their final race in the SuperHalf Series, which is part of a prestigious collection of half marathons across Europe.

Matt Newman, Chief Executive of race organizers Run 4 Wales, expressed his thanks to sponsors, charities, and volunteers, noting, “This year has seen the highest number of participants take part in the event.” The Cardiff Half Marathon is scheduled to return on October 5, 2025, with early bird tickets set to go on sale shortly, offering a discounted rate compared to general entry prices.