When is the 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon?

The 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday 3 October.

How does the ballot system for the 2027 race work?

General entry spaces are offered via a free-to-enter ballot, which closes at midnight on Sunday 18 October. Results will be announced on Thursday 22 October, and payment is only taken if a runner is successful.

Are there ways to guarantee entry to the 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon?

Yes, there are limited 'skip the ballot' options, including charity entries (e.g., NSPCC Fundraiser), Welsh Athletics discounted spaces, and bundle entries like the Welsh Distance Double or CDF Training Bundle. Marathon Tours & Travel will also offer guaranteed race entry through travel packages.

How much does it cost to enter the 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon?

A UK ballot entry costs £59 if successful. An International ballot entry costs £70. Skip the ballot options vary in price; for example, the NSPCC Fundraiser option is £40 with a £300 fundraising pledge.

Cardiff Half Marathon 2027 Ballot Opens: Dates, Fees

Runners can now enter the ballot for a chance to secure a place in the 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday 3 October. The ballot system, designed to offer an equal opportunity for entry, is free to enter and will remain open until midnight on Sunday 18 October, with results announced on Thursday 22 October, according to Nation.Cymru.

Ballot Opens for Cardiff Half Marathon 2027

The ballot system for the Cardiff Half Marathon was introduced after the 2025 race sold out within hours, with demand for the previous year’s event reportedly five times the available spaces. This approach aims to make securing an entry as fair as possible for all participants. Both a UK Ballot and an International Ballot are in operation to ensure a fair allocation of places for home runners, charity fundraisers, and overseas participants.

Matt Newman, Chief Executive at Run 4 Wales, expressed that demand for the race is expected to be high once again. He stated, “We made the choice to go to ballot after the 2025 race sold out within a matter of hours, to help make the process of securing a space as fair as possible.”

Entry Fees and Key Dates

Entry into the ballot is free, and payment is only required if a runner is successful in securing a place. A UK ballot entry costs £59. For international runners, the entry fee is £70 and includes an option to apply as a group of three. If one member of an international group is successful in the ballot, all members of that group will be accepted, and payment will be taken to confirm registration. Duplicate entries into multiple groups will lead to disqualification.

As noted, the ballot closes at midnight on Sunday 18 October, with results announced on Thursday 22 October.

Skip the Ballot Entry Options

For those who prefer not to take their chances in the ballot, a limited number of ‘skip the ballot’ options are available:

NSPCC Fundraiser: Entry for £40, with a pledge to raise £300 for the charity.
Welsh Athletics Entry: 1,500 discounted spaces offered on a first-come, first-served basis. A valid affiliation number is required.
Welsh Distance Double: Includes entry to both the 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon and the ABP Newport Marathon for £108, offering a £10 saving.
CDF Training Bundle: Entry to the 2027 Cardiff Half and the CDF 10K (on 5 September) for £87, a saving of £7.
Welsh Half & Half (New): Includes entry to the Jones O Gymru Anglesey Half Marathon and the 2027 Cardiff Half for £103, saving £10 against individual entry into both.

Further registration options, including charity entries, Tour Operator, and SuperVoucher spaces, will become available once the ballot results are announced. Runners can visit cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk/take-part/register/ to enter the ballot or secure a skip-the-ballot option.

Official Travel Partner Announced

In other developments, Marathon Tours & Travel has been named the Official Travel Partner of the Cardiff Half Marathon starting from 2027. This partnership will see them provide travel and accommodation options for participants, alongside offering guaranteed race entry through travel packages for those unable to secure a place via standard entry channels, as reported by endurance.biz.

The Cardiff Half Marathon, organised by Run 4 Wales, attracts more than 29,000 runners annually, including thousands of international participants. It is the UK’s only race in the SuperHalfs Series, alongside events in Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Valencia. Matt Newman noted that the race has grown into a truly international event, welcoming runners from across the globe, and he anticipates the partnership with Marathon Tours & Travel will make it even easier for both UK and international runners to experience the event and the Welsh capital.