01 / KNOW THE ROUTE
What the course asks of you
Settle on the way to Penarth
The organiser’s route leaves Castle Street, passes the Principality Stadium and the Cardiff City Stadium and heads to Penarth. With two start waves and a large field, the early miles are about finding space. Treat them as a gradual settle rather than a place to bank time.
Use the barrage and the Bay to find your rhythm
From Penarth Marina the route crosses the barrage into Cardiff Bay, passing the Norwegian Church, the Senedd and the Wales Millennium Centre. Open waterside stretches like this can feel exposed if the wind is up, so practise holding effort, not a fixed split, when conditions push back.
Keep focus for Roath Park and the finish
The course then heads north for a loop of Roath Park Lake before the run back to the grandstand finish at the Civic Centre. This is where a well-judged first half pays off: plan to be running with intent from the lake, with a clear cue for posture and breathing as the crowds build.
02 / BUILD THE BLOCK
How to prepare
Build durable road running
A predominantly flat course rewards steady, uninterrupted road running. Make most of your week easy, then build one longer run so that running for your expected finishing time feels routine before race week.
Rehearse half-marathon effort
Once your base is settled, add controlled sessions at around your goal half-marathon effort, broken into manageable blocks with recoveries. Over the block, extend the time spent at that effort rather than chasing faster paces.
Practise steady running into the wind
Some of the route runs beside open water. On a breezy day, include part of a steady run into the wind and practise letting the pace ease while the effort stays controlled.
Keep the running and strength work in one place. Explore MaxMile for your Cardiff Half Marathon preparation, or compare the levels of personal coaching.
03 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Pace the race you have trained for
Start in the pen that matches your expected time. The organiser lets you move back a pen but not forward, so be honest about your pace. If you plan to follow one of the official pacers, check which pen they start in using the final race information.
Aim for an even effort through Penarth and across the barrage, check in at halfway, and only lift the effort after Roath Park Lake if you still feel in control. The flat profile makes it easy to go out too fast, so hold back in the first two miles.
04 / MAKE ROOM FOR TRAINING
When should your block start?
The 2027 race is on Sunday 3 October, so a focused 12-week half-marathon block would begin around Sunday 11 July 2027. That puts most of the key sessions in July and August. Plan longer runs for cooler parts of the day and practise drinking in warm weather.
Until then, use the winter and spring to build consistent easy running and a comfortable long run. Newer runners could start a gentler 16-week build around mid-June. Plan to taper over the final week or two in late September.
05 / SORT THE PRACTICAL BITS
Kit and race-weekend planning
The organiser posts race packs to UK entrants before the event, and overseas entrants collect theirs from the Event Village on City Hall Lawns. Bag drop on Museum Avenue opens at 08:30 and takes one small backpack, so pack light.
Brecon Carreg water, HIGH5 gels and Powerade are provided on course, with toilets at every drinks station. If you plan to use the course gel, try it in training first. Showers are available afterwards at Sport Wales, Sophia Gardens, for a small donation.
