Next race
Sunday, 3 October 2027
10:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Urban road
Elevation
Rolling · 138 m gain
138 m climbing
Race profile
The Cardiff Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers on an urban road in Cardiff, United Kingdom. The course starts and finishes at Cardiff Castle. The route passes Cardiff Bay, the Millennium Stadium, and Bute Park. Mostly flat with minor rises around the bay.
Cardiff Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 2,000 finishers
Course & terrain
The Cardiff Marathon is a mostly flat loop starting and finishing at Cardiff Castle, passing Cardiff Bay, the Principality Stadium, and Bute Park. Minor rises around the bay are the main difficulty, and spectators line the castle hub and cheer through Bute Park and along the waterfront.
The Cardiff Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 138 metres of climbing and 138 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
Rolling · 138 m gain — approx. 17 m above sea level
↑ 138 m · ↓ 138 m · net 0 m
Registration
For the Cardiff Marathon, entries are managed through the official Cardiff Half Marathon website (cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk), where marathon places are offered alongside half marathon, 10K, and team relay options during the same October festival.
Getting there
Cardiff International Airport (CWL)
15 km / 9 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Cardiff.
The Newport Marathon Festival draws approximately 1,999 finishers each April on an urban road in Newport, United Kingdom. It is widely regarded as one of the fastest full marathons in Wales. The route passes the River Usk, city bridges, and wide roads used for one of Wales's faster marathon layouts. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027
The Shakespeare Marathon draws approximately 1,153 finishers each April on a historic town and rural road in Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom. Its literary branding gives it one of the clearest thematic identities in UK marathon running. The course passes the River Avon, Shakespeare-linked town landmarks, and Warwickshire village roads. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027
The Abingdon Marathon is a traditional multi-lap race in Oxfordshire, drawing about 1,000 finishers each October on a flat, fast course at the Abingdon Airfield. The four-lap format on closed airfield roads is popular with UK runners chasing personal bests. October cool English weather and the simple, traffic-free course make it one of Britain's fastest autumn marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027
The New Forest Marathon draws approximately 1,200 finishers each September on a forest road in Brockenhurst, United Kingdom. Natural scenery and the presence of free-roaming animals make it distinct from urban UK marathons. The route passes heathland, forest roads, roaming ponies, and open stretches through the national park. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 5 September 2027
The Southampton Marathon draws approximately 1,350 finishers each April on an urban road in Southampton, United Kingdom. The event combines big-city logistics with a smaller-field atmosphere than London's spring marathon scene. The route passes the old walls area, parks, and port-city roads connected to the south coast waterfront. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Sunday, 11 April 2027
The Milton Keynes Marathon draws about 4,000 finishers each May through Britain's planned new-town city of redways and roundabouts. The course follows the linear park system, passes the Xscape dome, and uses the wide boulevards and traffic-free redways that define Milton Keynes. May spring weather and a flat, fast course make it popular with runners chasing personal bests in the Home Counties.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
