Cardiff Half-Marathon

Hi all.

I've just got back into my running after an extended 5 year brake and have chose my home town of Cardiff as my first major race. I've just  noticed they have published the new 1/2 marathon route on line and I am not that impressed with it. It goes down the horrible A4232, through the tunnels and out again. It reminds me of the first fill marathon they done (I ran it) where we had to run up the A4232 then back down again and nobody liked it back then and they might not like it now.

It might not be too bad, as we are only ruinning down the link road and not up it, as long as they don't decide to shorten it again. What do you all think?

Happy running everyone,

Stephen

Will check it out. 

Sandwiched between Great North and Great South runs, but I'd like to do it as it's local.

I am looking for to the race as it will be fun to run around Cardiff again. I do run across the barrage most evenings during my training sessions and I never get tired of it. That is the best part of the marathon running across the barrage with the views over Cardiff bay.

Reading the route description we don't actually run through the tunnels, which I was quite looking forward to. Instead we leave the A4232 at the Techniquest junction just before the entrance to the tunnels, go around the roundabout, then back onto the A4232 to run back across the bridge

I've mapped out the route on Endomondo so you can study it further. I think it's about right even though the distance it measures is about 13.3 miles. It gives you a better idea of the roads you will be running on.

Happy running.

At least the A4322 stretch will be slightly downhill and all tarmac easy running, setting you up nicely for a strong finish.

Also in fairness the views on that stretch aren't too bad over the elevated bit. 

I think the two years it finished in the millennium stadium were along the same route. But the route has changed a number of times due to the fact the start and finish places change most years.  From my memory it has finished in the Civic Centre by City Hall, the Millennium Stadium for 2 years, Cardiff Castle for one year and now it seems to have settled down the bay.

I think the most finishes have been in the Civic Centre but each year the route was slightly tweaked. 

Personally I don't mind the route changing every year as it keeps it interesting.  As long as they include the landmarks (Barrage, Bay, Castle etc) then I don't see it as a porblem.  However I do think it is a shame that the parks have been taken out this year as they were a key feature for me. 

At least they've not taken the route through the centre again, the street furniture was a nightmare.

I was considering doing this again this year, but the thought of running Central Link, Cowbridge Road, Leckwith Road and the Link Road has made up my mind to not bother.  Cardiff has always been a very picturesque race with parts of the park and the embankment being well supported.  Taking these out ruins the route for me. 

Hi guys,

If you’re already signed up for the Cardiff Half Marathon – well done, as all places have now been filled. But if you haven’t yet chosen a charity to run for then can I suggest the Meningitis Trust?

They will provide you with:

• Post race reception tent
• Refreshments
• Post race massage
• En-route support
• Personalised t-shirt or vest
• Race Pack full of training and dietary information

All you’ll need to do in return is pledge to raise a minimum of £80 for the Meningitis Trust.

To sign up or for more information:

Email: ffionh@meningitis-trust.org

Call: Ffion Haf on 0845 120 4597

Re: complaints about the pretty parks section being taken out...

After the carnage at the 2010 race during those sections, they had so many complaints about the bottlenecks in the park slowing mid-pack people down to walking pace that they had to make a choice... have a smaller race with much fewer places or leave out the narrow park paths.

You can't please everybody.

Alan W wrote (see)

I was considering doing this again this year, but the thought of running Central Link, Cowbridge Road, Leckwith Road and the Link Road has made up my mind to not bother.  Cardiff has always been a very picturesque race with parts of the park and the embankment being well supported.  Taking these out ruins the route for me. 

Gutted it looks like I've missed the boat on this one. Signed up for Bristol Half and was considering doing Cardiff (5 weeks later) but kept delaying signing up until I was confident with my training and that I could really go for it and try and beat my "unofficial" PB of last year (I say unofficial as it was the slightly short Cardiff Half last year). Anyway - went to sign up last Tuesday and think it had sold out the night before. On the reserve list and hoping I'll be towards top but not very hopeful of getting a place

Good luck to everyone who is signed up.

Sorry for double post but very excited as I've just had an e-mail of Barnado's offering me a charity place. Have to raise a minimum of £175, but compared to charity places for other events (particularly London Marathon), that's a much more doable amount.

Done a 10 mile run BEFORE work yesterday getting up at 5.30am to get ready - never done more than 6 miles before work previously. Planning on doing one run before work per week, one after work, and a longer run on the weekend (although I kind of already done my long run this week). I should mention I've done a half and full marathon before in case any newbies are worried they are not up to 10 miles yet as I know from looking on forums as a newbie last year, some of the mileages mentioned scared me a bit!

I was really looking forward to running the Cardiff Half again this.  My training was going really well and I was hoping to beat my time from last year but I have now managed to knacker my left knee so bad it hurts to walk. 

I am just glad it has happened with a couple of months to go and not any closer.  Hopefully by taking it easy for a good few weeks I will at least be able to run the half and not be to far off my time. 

does anyone have a place and is unable to run? i'd be happy to take it off your hands.

my girlfriend and i both tried ot enter, she got in and i missed the boat, despite having gone thorugh the would you like a t-shirt, mug, medal. hoodie part, something went wrong.

Let me know if you can help out.

Cheers 

john