Race Report by: Hannah Jayne Wright

Superhalf journey: 4/6 (yes two left to go)

 ‘A Race For Everyone’

The 21st edition of the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon. It was the event’s biggest yet with more than 29,000 people signed up to take part. 

The theme of the event was to celebrate the diversity of the city… ‘A Race For Everyone’. 

It is now one of Europe’s largest half marathons and is Wales’ largest mass participation and multi-charity fundraising event. 

The event has grown significantly since it was founded by Barnardo’s in 2003 when 1,500 runners took part. It now attracts a mass race field of over 27,500 registered runners alongside world-class athletes in a trio of fiercely contested men’s, women’s and wheelchair elite races.

The event carries a 4.5 hour cut off time. 

Race day: 

I travelled down the day before the race with my mum (self proclaimed bag lady) and stayed near Cardiff Bay, just a 10 minute train journey to Cardiff Central. Had a lovely pub lunch and a few ales then an early night. 

The weather report for race day was miserable but the heavy rain held off till after the race. Had my usual pre race breakfast of chocolate hobnobs and a cuppa and made my way into Cardiff. There was no chance of getting lost as there were thousands of participants making their way to the event village near Cardiff Castle. 

The event village was overcrowded and could have done with being more spread out. I don’t look at any of the merch stalls due to this. Despite that there were plenty of loo’s, a quiet area and an area for participants only (bag drop and changing rooms).

The colour of your bib number dictated which colour wave you were in. I was in purple wave which was difficult to find amongst the chaos of the crowds. Being short it’s hard to see over peoples heads to find out which direction you should be going. I found it eventually and even had time to pop to the loo for a nervous wee. 

My plan was to stick to a pacer during the race but I could only see 2h 30 pacer in the pen. I set my trusty Garmin instead to help pace. The walk to the start line was scenic with the castle and its pyrotechnics. Then we were off to discover the sights of Cardiff. 

It’s a flat, fast course and passes all of the city’s most breathtaking scenery and iconic landmarks including Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, Civic Centre and stunning Cardiff Bay. The support and entertainment around the course was fantastic and kept you motivated.

The running stars must have aligned that day as my splits were good and passed through the finish line with a new PB… 3 minutes faster than my previous. As usual at these events I didn’t see my mum until I had collected my medal and got changed. She swears she saw me near the finish line. 

A new PB deserves a couple of gins and a curry to celebrate. 

Results: 

The event attracted a strong elite field with both Patrick Mosin and Miriam Chebet completing a Kenyan clean-sweep in the Men and Women’s races.

It was family affair in the elite wheelchair race as husband and wife Callum and Jade Hall battled it out across the streets of Cardiff. It was Callum, of County Durham, who eventually came out on top in 55:05, but Jade claimed the Women’s title in 57:57.

Zoe Barber, also managed to secure herself a Guinness World Record.  She was running to be the fastest female to complete a half marathon dressed as a cartoon character.

The highest ever number of internationals also took part this year – with over 3,000 entrants coming from overseas

Striders Results: