With a route through the Welsh capital, more than 29,000 runners and a place on the prestigious SuperHalfs circuit, the Cardiff Half Marathon is becoming a major draw for travelling runners.
And from 2027, it should become easier for participants to turn the race into a full sporting city break after Marathon Tours & Travel was announced as the event’s new Official Travel Partner. The event in 2027 will be held on Sunday 3 October.
The partnership will provide dedicated accommodation and travel options for runners heading to Cardiff, including packages offering race entries for those unable to secure a place through the standard entry process.
It provides another reason for runners to put Cardiff on their sports travel bucket list and combine one of the UK’s biggest road races with a weekend exploring the Welsh capital.
A SuperHalfs racecation in Cardiff
The Cardiff Half Marathon has grown significantly in recent years and now attracts more than 29,000 runners, including thousands travelling from overseas.
Its international appeal has been boosted by its membership of the SuperHalfs Series, which challenges runners to complete six leading European half marathons in Cardiff, Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen and Valencia.
For runners chasing the complete SuperHalfs set, that makes a trip to Wales essential.
The Cardiff course also doubles as a sightseeing tour of the city. Starting outside Cardiff Castle, runners pass landmarks and neighbourhoods across the Welsh capital before finishing in the Civic Centre.
Away from the race, visitors can extend their weekend with a tour of Cardiff Castle, explore Cardiff Bay, visit the city’s restaurants and bars or add another sporting experience with a trip to the Principality Stadium.
Those with more time could also turn the racecation into a longer Welsh adventure, with the mountains, coastline and walking trails of South Wales within reach of the capital.
Marathon Tours & Travel joins Cardiff Half
Marathon Tours & Travel specialises in combining running events with travel experiences and has been operating since 1979.
The company offers race entry, accommodation, sightseeing and race support at events around the world. It is also an Official Tour Operator of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and SuperHalfs Series and operates destination races including the Antarctica Marathon.
Under its new Cardiff partnership, runners who secure their own entry will be able to book accommodation through Marathon Tours & Travel. Travel packages containing race entry will also be available, providing another route into the event for UK and international runners who miss out through the normal entry process.
Matt Newman, chief executive at Run 4 Wales, said: “The Cardiff Half Marathon has grown enormously over recent years and we’re incredibly proud of the way it has developed into a truly international event, welcoming runners from all over the world to Cardiff and Wales.
“Being part of the SuperHalfs Series has been a fantastic addition to the race and has helped us connect with a global community of runners who are travelling across Europe to take on some of the world’s leading half marathons.
“We’re looking forward to working together to make it even easier for runners from the UK and overseas to experience everything that the Cardiff Half Marathon and the Welsh capital have to offer.”
Brendan Fox, managing director of Marathon Tours & Travel, added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the team at the Cardiff Half Marathon and helping bring runners from across the UK and around the world to Wales.
“It is an honour to be associated with such a prestigious event, and we look forward to working together to create a fantastic race weekend experience for every participant.”
See more at cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk and marathontours.com