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Cardiff Half start 2023

World Class In Wales

Welsh titles for Bowden and Kidger in Cardiff's SuperHalf...

Some 27,500 signed up – including a record overseas entry – for the 20th anniversary of the Principality Building Society Cardiff Half Marathon on Sunday (1 October 2023).

Cardiff is one of five SuperHalfs – a European series of half marathon events – alongside Lisbon, Prague, Copenhagen, and Valencia. Complete all five within 36 months and you will receive your SuperMedal at the finish line of your fifth race.

The men's race was dominated by a powerful cohort of Africans as the top seven all hailed from Kenya. Vincent Mutai (1:00:35) defeated course record holder Shadrack Kimiing (1:00:48) and Bernard Biwott (1:00:51) in warm and humid conditions after a terrific sprint finish down King Edward VII Avenue.

This was 28-year-old Biwott's maiden victory in the Cardiff Half after which he said: “I feel good, this was my first time running this course, it was a bit challenging but it was really enjoyable and now I am a winner so I am so happy. The support on the course was fantastic and it really helped me keep going. I would love to come back next year.”

The leading non-African was Irishman Fearghal Curtin (Pontypridd Roadents, 1:04:13) in eighth place. Also inside 65 minutes were Thames Valley Harriers Paulos Surafel (1:04:35) and Mo Aadan (1:04:43).

If the men's race was close, it was nowhere near as tight as the women's, with a single second covering the top three finishers. Ethiopia’s Mestawut Fikir got the official nod in 1:08:13 from countrywoman Aminet Ahmed (1:08:14) and last year’s runner-up Viola Chepngeno (Kenya) at the same time. W40 Sonia Samuels (Sale Harriers Manchester, 1:12:37) was the leading Brit in seventh place.

The event also hosted the Welsh Half Marathon Championships, which saw Bridgend’s M40 Adam Bowden (1:07:01) and Beth Kidger of Brighton Phoenix (1:14:12) earn Welsh titles. “I was on my own at the start because I was trying to be sensible with the pace as this is my first real half marathon,” said Kidger. “It was so nice having the crowds all the way around and the support was amazing, which helped. The fact it’s mainly flat really helped as well and I definitely want to do more half marathons in the future.”

Former World Marathon Champion Martin Fiz of Spain – who raced with the Cardiff Half Race Director Steve Brace at the Atlanta Olympics – continued his winning tour of the SuperHalfs events. The 60-year-old Spaniard completed the 13.1-miles in 1:14:45. “I started running as a Master and I’ve been winning in all the categories – I won six Majors Marathons in the Master 50 category and the new goal is to win the five SuperHalfs in the Masters 60 category. I’ve won in Lisbon, in Copenhagen, and now here in Cardiff so I am very happy with the result.”

The oldest person to complete the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon was 81 years old. Spain’s Jose Miguel Ustaran Ramirez finished in 3:10:28. The race will return for its 21st edition on Sunday 6 October 2024. The first 5,000 to sign up when entries go live will be able to take advantage of a discounted early bird offer.

Matt Newman, CEO of event organisers, Run 4 Wales said: “Cardiff has really turned out for us today – so many runners crossed the finish line to report that the crowds right around the route were amazing. And it’s this brilliant atmosphere – among the runners, our volunteers – the Extra Milers – and our spectators, that makes people want to come back year after year".

The Cardiff Half is Wales’ largest mass participation event and raises around £3m for good causes every year. Large teams of fundraisers represented many charities, including NSPCC, Alzheimer’s Society, Mind, Prostate Cancer UK, Shelter Cymru, and event founder Barnardo’s.

Race details, previous reports, and link to results at runABC South race listing here.

Photos courtesy Run 4 Wales / Cardiff Half on Facebook

Cardiff Half 2023 medals

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