The biggest event in the South at the weekend was just over the Welsh border in Newport, Pembrokeshire. The third-largest city in Wales, situated on the River Usk near the Severn Estuary, hosted the ABP Newport Marathon Festival on Sunday, 19th April 2026, with 7,636 finishers in three senior races and three supporting junior runs.

More than 10,500 entries had been received for the Newport Marathon Festival, sponsored by Associated British Ports, with Mind in Gwent as the lead charity. The stand-out race was the Newport Half Marathon, featuring a near dead heat in the men's race (pictured above) and a sparkling new course record in the women's race (pictured below).

Former GB international steeplechaser and triathlete, Adam Bowden (Bridgend AC), was given the verdict in the half-marathon by eagle-eyed officials as he just edged a thrilling sprint finish with Joel Redman (Cardiff Athletics). Both runners were given 1:09:57, although Bowden's chip time was three seconds faster than his Cardiff opponent. Lewis Munro (Islwyn RC, 1:10:09) narrowly missed the excitement as he grabbed a PB in third place.

Just over a minute later, Natasha Wilson had smashed the previous women's course record by six minutes! Placed fifth overall, from 1,421 finishers, the Mickey Morris Racing Team member charged through the victory banner in 1:11:17. Rebecca Ezra (Tamar Trotters, 1:17:44) and Georgia Palmer (Les Croupiers, 1:20:36) were the runners-up.

The marathon had 2,748 finishers in 6 hours, 40 minutes, and 50 seconds. The winner, Jacob Tasker (Bridgend AC, 2:21:07), was running close to podium pace for the half-marathon. Matt Wood (Herne Hill Harriers, 2:23:34) and Tom Roberts (Meirionnydd RC, 2:24:13) were the nearest challengers.

W35 Samantha Antell (Bideford AC, 2:43:15) took the women's race from Sarah Semmens (Long Eaton RC, 2:54:50) and Emily Fell (Les Croupiers, 2:56:18). More than 30 runners could boast a sub-three-hour time after the race.

Another 3,194 runners contested the popular Newport 10K, with victories for Dafydd Jones (Swansea Harriers, 29:24) and Donna Morris (Builth & District AC, 35:43).

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Results are available via the runABC South race listing here.

Photos courtesy of the Newport Marathon Festival