Run Wales organise not one, not two, not three but four half marathon events that feature castles. So, for those of you who like a bit of history injected into their race day experience, 2024's Four Castle Series is a fantastic idea.

All of the races in question are set in beautiful locations, with Snowdonia Half Marathon up first on 12 May, followed by Caernarfon on 8 September then Bangor on 6 October and lastly Conwy on 17 November.

Snowdonia Half Marathon is a scenic but tough race set in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. The park is a region of haunting beauty and grandeur, of wild rocky mountains, hidden valleys, cascading rivers, still glacial lakes and deep forests. Runners will pass Gwydyr Castle on this beautiful route.

Caernarfon starts and finishes next to the majestic Caernarfon Castle and offers a route with a few small ups and some long fast downhill sections. Bangor sees runners head out to the coastline and along the Garth Pier over the Menai Straits taking in views of Anglesey, Snowdonia and the surrounding North Wales coastline.

Conwy was voted in the top 5 most scenic Half Marathons in the UK by Readers of Runners World. It starts and finishes near the quayside in front of the 700+ year old Conwy Castle. The route runs along the road adjacent to the Conwy River, from there it heads towards Llandudno Pier, then around the Great Orme taking in views of the Isle of Anglesey, Puffin Island and the surrounding North Wales coastline.

All events have so much to offer runners, besides the promised castles! If you manage to take part in all four then you will receive a large bespoke medal and technical t-shirt at each race, plus a bespoke medal holder to proudly hang all your medals.

If you'd like to know more, visit the Run Wales website.

Image: Run Wales Facebook