Jepkosgei sets new course record as Cardiff Half Marathon welcomes record international field

A new women’s course record and the highest number of international runners in the event’s history helped define a landmark year for the 2026 Cardiff Half Marathon, which saw more than 30,000 people register across the race weekend.

Elite athletes, charity runners and first‑timers crossed the finish line on King Edward VII Avenue after completing the 13.1‑mile route, which showcased many of Cardiff’s best‑known landmarks, including Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, the barrage, the Norwegian Church and the Wales Millennium Centre.

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei delivered the standout performance of the day, setting a new women’s course record of 1:05:40. The former world record holder shaved 12 seconds off Edith Chelimo’s 2017 time.

She said: “I’m so grateful and happy to win this race. The crowds were some of the most excited I have seen and they were across the whole course, which gave me another level of motivation. I will enjoy this win now and recover.”

In the men’s race, Gideon Kiprotich claimed victory in 59:34.

He said: “It feels great to win this race, there were some hard moments, but I am very happy to win. I felt good so I got quicker in the second half of the race and I am happy I could keep the pace to win. I enjoyed the crowds too, it was a good day.”

Wheelchair athlete Sam Kolek took more than three minutes off his Cardiff Half personal best to win in 53:05, while Mel Nicholls was the first female wheelchair finisher in 1:07:04.

Natasha Wilson secured the women’s Welsh Half Marathon Championship crown, and Lloyd Sheppard‑Brown — making his half marathon debut and fresh from a Cardiff 10K win — claimed the men’s title.

The Cardiff Half remains Wales’ largest mass‑participation and multi‑charity event, raising more than £4 million annually. Many runners supported the lead charity NSPCC, while others ran for the R4W Charitable Foundation or as part of the 100 Club — a Run 4 Wales initiative offering 100 free places to help people improve their health and wellbeing.

The race, part of the SuperHalfs Series alongside Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen and Valencia, welcomed more than 5,700 international runners from 99 countries — its highest ever. Around 10,500 runners were on their SuperHalfs journey, with 700 completing the series in Cardiff.

Steve Brace, Events Director at Run 4 Wales, said: “This year has seen thousands of runners take part in the Cardiff Half with our highest ever number of international athletes and even a new course record set in the women’s race. We’d like to thank all of our sponsors, charities and volunteers for their support and look forward to coming back to the city in 2027.”

The Cardiff Half Marathon returns on Sunday 3 October 2027. The ballot for next year’s race is now open and will close on Sunday 18 October, with results announced on Thursday 22 October.