Thousands to hit streets for Cardiff Half Marathon
· Yahoo Sports
More than 29,000 runners will descend on the Welsh capital this Sunday for the 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon.
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The route will take participants past some of the city's most notable landmarks, including the Wales Millennium Centre and the Principality Stadium.
Due to the event's growing popularity, entry to the race was balloted for the first time this year.
More than 60,000 people entered the ballot, and the lucky winners will race through the city on the same course as the world's best runners.
"I think it's absolutely reinforced the popularity," says Run 4 Wales chief executive Matt Newman.
"It's a vote of confidence from runners who've run it and want to come back every year, and then there's an emerging market of younger runners who want to do it for the first time.
"It has also disappointed quite a few people in terms of not being able to take part on Sunday, and we're conscious of that as well."
This year's participants will range in age from 17 to 85, with 91 runners celebrating their birthday on race day.
Elite athletes will aim to finish the course in 60 minutes, while many will hope they still have enough in the legs by the time they reach Roath Park.
BBC Sport Wales speaks to some of this year's participants to learn why they are taking part.
Heart surgery to half marathon in 12 months
Louis Price was born with a heart murmur and had open-heart surgery last year. [BBC Sport]Louis Price from Aberdare was born with a heart murmur, but that did not stop him from enjoying a raft of sports growing up.
At 16, more severe chest tightness led him to give up rugby and football and meant his heart had to be monitored more regularly.
"In January 2025, one of the scans came back, and it was deteriorating a little bit," Price, now 25, explains.
"I then went in and had the open-heart surgery, and unicuspid aortic valve was the official diagnosis in the end."
A unicuspid aortic valve is a rare heart defect, which is present at birth, where the valve has only one leaflet, or flap, instead of the normal three
"I wanted to raise money for British Heart Foundation, raise a bit of awareness for younger people who have heart defects," Price added.
"I didn't think I'd be running the Cardiff Half 12 months ago. I wanted to push myself, but I didn't know what that would look like.
"Being able to actually do it, I'm really looking forward to it, and it's quite cool."
'Cottage pie - I'm very excited for that'
Kiera studies Biology at Bath University. [Kiera Hodges / Noah's Ark Children's Charity]Kiera Hodges was just 14 when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2020.
She spent the better part of two years at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff and is now an outpatient, having 'rung the bell' three years ago.
At 21, Hodges is studying Biology at University in Bath and has just returned from Malawi after spending her placement year helping with the conservation of bats.
"I have a lot to give back to the hospital," she said.
"I always love to push myself, and doing it in Cardiff just feels extra special.
"I grew up here, the treatment was here, the hospital is here, so it's really special.
"I have to go straight back to Bath afterwards. We are stopping off at my friend's house, and I think we're having a cottage pie, so I'm very excited for that."
'What more motivation do I need?'
Sam has been managing his training around his shift work at Tata Steel. [Ty Hafan]At three months old, Sam Jordan's daughter Liwsi was diagnosed with two rare genetic diseases, Cri du Chat syndrome and an Xq28 duplication translocation.
He wants to give back to Ty Hafan, who he says have been there for Liwsi as well as himself, his partner Zoe and Liwsi's older sister Alys, from day one.
"I guess it's emotional support," said Jordan.
"We live in a day and age where men can't speak about their feelings and ongoing issues, but luckily enough, Ty Hafan have provided us with a couple of support workers who I've been able to open up to a bit.
"Liwsi has no idea what's going on, but she'll be there supporting.
"And I know that when I see her, she'll be smiling.
"She is the happiest little girl you'll ever meet, so what more motivation do I need?"
Shedding and raising pounds
Adam Jones was part of the Wales side that won Grand Slams in 2005, 2008 and 2012 [Adam Jones/Huw Evans Picture Agency]Adam Jones is one of Welsh rugby's most recognisable cult heroes with a glittering career to boot.
He is a three-time Grand Slam champion and a British and Irish Lions series winner who made 100 international appearances at prop before retiring in 2018.
Now aged 45, the Harlequins scrum coach has lost more than five stone (32kg) after starting his quest by following the "couch to 5k" approach.
"When I was out in Japan with Wales last year, I remember the camera panning to me at the end of the tour, and I was massive," said Jones.
"I thought I needed to do something about this.
"As soon as I started doing it, I saw the benefit of the process. It was fascinating to see and develop week-to-week."
Jones, who is running in aid of two charities, St David's Hospice Care and Prostate Cymru, hopes the Cardiff crowd can spur him on.
"I might go incognito in the race so no one can see how slow I'm going," he said.
"Maybe I'll put a balaclava or a daffodil hat on, so I don't get abused!
"But I've heard good things about the event and how people support you. I'm hoping the Welsh public will get me around the last few miles."
What will race day look like?
The 13.1-mile course starts outside Cardiff Castle and takes runners past both Principality and Cardiff City stadiums on the way to Penarth.
The route then leads from Penarth Marina over the barrage in Cardiff Bay and past the Senedd building and Wales Millennium Centre.
A loop of Roath Park follows before the race culminates outside the Civic Centre.
Organisers have advised participants to allow for plenty of time to get into the city centre ahead of the 10:00 start time, with thousands expected in Cardiff to take part or spectate.
Several road closures will be in place across the city.
The good news is the weather looks set to be ideal for running and spectating, with sunny intervals and a gentle breeze forecast for Sunday.
Who are the favourites in the elite race?
Former world record holder Joyciline Jepkosgei headlines the women's elite entrants, while the fastest man in the field is fellow Kenyan Gideon Kiprotich.
Jepkosgei was the first woman to run the distance in under 65 minutes and also boasts wins at the 2019 New York Marathon and 2021 London Marathon.
Kiprotich, who won the Rome Half Marathon last year, will be the first sub-59-minute runner to line up in the Welsh capital.
He and last year's returning winner, Ethiopian Yismaw Dillu, will look to threaten Dillu's course record of 59:23.