Entry record set to be smashed

The 2017 Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon is on course to become the biggest running event in Welsh history.

Entry numbers are at a record high with more than five months until race day on Sunday 1 October.

More than 11,000 people have already signed up for Wales’s largest mass-participation event, including a spike of almost 700 since the inspiring London Marathon.

In fact, Cardiff Half entries are up by a staggering 38% compared to this stage last year.

The previous benchmark of 22,000 runners is set to be smashed, so act fast and sign up at www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/register/ if you want to be a part of Wales’s biggest and best race.

Organisers expected around 24,000 entries to this year’s race, but that figure could soon be reached meaning a capacity could be set in advance.

While thousands will gather on the Sunday for the big race, Saturday’s Cardiff University Festival of Running will once again be a thrilling start to race weekend.

Last year the Family Fun Run and Toddler Dash gave children the perfect opportunity to get a taste of a major running event, while the Cardiff University Student Fun Run also proved popular.

Matt Newman, Run 4 Wales CEO, said: “People of all ages and abilities are welcome to enter the Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon, whether you are in a corporate team, running club, casual runner or one of many taking part through a social scheme like Alfie’s Army.”

Cardiff University is encouraging students, staff, alumni and members of the public to run to raise funds for key University health research.

A limited number of free half marathon spaces will be distributed to runners who pledge to raise at least £150 (£100 for students) for this cause.

All 100% of the funds raised by the University’s #TeamCardiff runners will go towards research into cancer and neuroscience & mental health.