Cardiff Half Marathon introduces ballot entry

The ballot for the 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon is now open

Entry to the Cardiff Half Marathon will be via ballot only for the first time in 2026.

The move follows "unprecedented growth" in recent years, organisers said, and will give everyone a fair chance of securing a spot on the start line for the race next October.

The ballot for the 2026 event, which opened on Tuesday, is free to enter and will remain open until midnight on 19 October.

"The chance of gaining a place through the ballot is still high, so we'd encourage everyone who wants to run next year's race to apply," organisers said.

Results of the ballot will be announced on 23 October, when other registration options, including charity entries, will also open.

There will be a guaranteed allocation of discounted spaces for members of Welsh Athletics keen to compete in the Welsh Half Marathon Championships, with 1,500 places available on a first-come, first-served basis.

"We're so proud of the incredible growth of the Cardiff Half Marathon, which has grown into one of Europe's largest half marathons and now attracts participants from all over the world to our capital city," said Matt Newman, Run 4 Wales Chief Executive.

A UK Ballot and International Ballot will operate, with entry priced at £58 for UK participants and £70 for overseas entrants.

Steve Brace, from Run 4 Wales, said the "interest popularity has gone off the scale", with last year's sell-out causing issues for regular entrants, prompting a move to a ballot system.

He said more than 4,000 elite athletes are coming this weekend, with 120,000 showing interest through the SuperHalfs series, reflecting the event's growing European profile, which is "fantastic to see".

While expansion is a future goal, current challenges mean the focus is on managing demand fairly, with world-class runners, club athletes, charities and supporters all playing a part.

Mr Brace said the nature of course and the modernisation of the city particularly down the bay area make course planning tough, but expansion is hoped for by 2027-28.

To run the ballot, the race has partnered with LME London Marathon, aiming to create "a good balance for everyone", he added.