Amazing running events in Wales

Think of the greatest runners of all time and a few names probably spring to mind. Paula Radcliffe, Usain Bolt, Sabastian Sawe. But one man was allegedly faster than them all.

According to Welsh legend, Guto Nyth Brân, an athlete born in the early 18th century, was so fast he could run from his parent’s farm near Porth to the town of Pontypridd and back, a distance of just over 7 miles (11km), in the time it took his mother to boil the kettle.

For such a legendary runner to come out of Wales feels only fitting, given that Wales is a nation of runners. In terms of participation levels, it’s our most popular sport, and there are loads of running-themed events each year, which make the most of our beautiful landscape. We run around cities, along coastlines, up giant sand dunes, and we even run against horses.

Whatever kind of running you enjoy, there’s a place in Wales to do it.

Wales is renowned for its green spaces. Roughly a quarter of all Welsh land has some form of protected status (which includes our three national parks!), meaning it’s simple to whip on your trainers and work up a sweat amidst beautiful bucolic scenery – far from the screech of traffic!

Our geography is also extremely varied, ensuring a huge breadth of trails. There are trails that climb up hills, encircle lakes, or weave along our 1,680 miles (2,700km) of coastline. We also have a choice of longer and shorter waymarked routes, many of which are, crucially, within stumbling distance of a good cafe for a post-run treat.

Track running fans are well catered for too, with impressive outdoor, publicly-accessible facilities available at centres such as The National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff (a city that provides endless delights for runners) and Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay, with the latter track having benefited from a major recent refurbishment.

Running-themed events are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and Wales isn’t short of options for joggers looking to test themselves against the clock, whether that’s as part of a weekly fun run or a major annual event, like a half or full marathon. 

The city of Newport in South Wales and the town of Tenby in West Wales both host annual marathons, with Newport’s route one of the flattest in Europe (offering PBs a plenty!). Hosted in the Welsh capital, Cardiff’s Half Marathon is one of Wales’ most popular races, and is a member of the “SuperHalfs”, a series of six of Europe’s most glorious half marathons, which also includes races in Spain, Portugal and Germany.

Every weekend, ever-popular parkrun events pop up in Wales’ parks, beaches and – uniquely – on one of its major bridges, offering fun and inclusive 5k and 2k races anyone can attend. Cardiff’s parkrun event also boasts a piece of parkrun history, being the location where UK athlete Charlotte Arter recorded what was then the fastest 5k parkrun time by a female runner anywhere in the world (15 minutes 49 seconds, for those wondering). Further opportunities for chatting whilst cantering are offered at Wales’ numerous run clubs, based in communities around the country.

While we take running seriously in Wales, there’s also a long-held tradition of hosting quirkier races throughout the year.

One of the most famous is the annual Man Vs Horse race in Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales, where, since way back in 1980, ambitious runners have been facing off against horse riders across a winding, mountainous course. Somewhat unsurprisingly, it took nearly 25 years for a runner to prevail! Another example is the Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding Race. Held during the festive period on the South Wales coast, the event sees runners scrambling up one of the tallest sand dunes in Europe for a finish-line reward of a traditional Christmas pudding.

Then of course there’s the Nos Galan Road Race. A New Year’s Eve tradition in the town of Mountain Ash since 1958, the event honours the rapid Welshman himself, Guto Nyth Brân, who is buried nearby and whose commemorative statue in the town’s centre marks the finish line of the race.

Want to take part in a running competition in Wales? Here are 12 major running events that take place each year, representing just a small cross-section of the dozens of Welsh races on offer to long-distance lovers.

Flat and fast, the Newport Marathon is one of the premier marathon events in Wales, which has now evolved to encompass a whole weekend of running-themed fun. On the day of the race there’s live music and activities for spectators, while runners can participate in a Pasta Party the night before, offering the chance to gorge while gleaning last-minute tips from pro runners during Q&A sessions. There’s also a half marathon and 10k race during the weekend. 

The Abersoch 10k takes runners on a scenic tour around the picturesque village of Abersoch on the Llŷn Peninsula. After battling through the “Tocyn Brutal” hill (which has acquired something of a mythical status among local runners), joggers are treated to a delightful home strait across the village’s golden sand beach.

If a marathon in the mountains didn’t sound challenging enough, Midnight Mountain Marathon throws in an additional twist by primarily taking place after dark! Runners will have just enough time to absorb the sweeping vistas of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, before the sun sets and they’re treated to some of the clearest night skies anywhere in the UK. A half marathon version also runs on the same date.

Mixing sea views, a medieval castle and a red carpet (laid out in the town of Tenby for finishing runners), the Wales Marathon in Pembrokeshire pulls in distance runners from all over Wales and beyond. There’s also a half marathon, 10k and 5k race.

The prospect of a person being able to beat a horse in a distance race piqued the imaginations of locals in the town of Llanwrtyd Wells in the 1980s and they’ve been organising an event based around this premise every year since. Set across a challenging mountainous course, approximately 21 miles (34km) in distance, the storied race has only ever seen a handful of runners triumph against their rivals on horseback.

The Welsh seaside town of Porthcawl knows how to throw a party – just ask visitors to the town’s wonderfully kooky annual Elvis Festival. That same sense of fun is present at Porthcawl’s annual 10k race, with the course winding its way through the pretty town and along the surfer-dotted coastline, before ending outside the historic Porthcawl Pavilion on the seafront.

In 1976, Ken Jones from Llanberis, a village on the slopes of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), posed the question: ‘How quickly do you think someone could run up and down that mountain?’. And just like that, the Râs Yr Wyddfa was born. What started as a race to the summit of Wales’ highest peak (and back down again) for local endurance enthusiasts now attracts hundreds of competitors from around the world each year.

The Cardiff Half has grown to become one of the most popular half marathons in the UK, and provides a wonderful tour around the Welsh capital, beginning at the city’s emblematic castle and passing landmarks including the Cardiff Bay Barrage and Principality Stadium.

While the Râs Yr Wyddfa goes directly up Wales’ highest mountain, the Marathon Eryri goes around it. The race has been described as the UK’s toughest marathon, but the breathtaking scenery of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park should make up for any potential knee pain. 

Named after one of Wales’ greatest actors (with his personal permission!), the Richard Burton 10k takes runners around the icon’s birthplace of Pontrhydyfen and the adjacent village of Cwmafan. One of Wales’ oldest road races, the event was created in memory of three local children who tragically lost their lives in a road accident. Aside from those listed here, additional annual 10km races can be found in Crickhowell, Anglesey, Barry Island and Tywyn – with the latter pitting runners against a historic steam train.

Taking place in Merthyr Mawr nature reserve, near the town of Bridgend, the 10km Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding Race incorporates one of Europe’s tallest sand dunes, a mulled wine refreshment stop, and plenty of festive fancy dress, plus a traditional Christmas pudding for those who cross the finish line.

Honouring Wales’ fastest man (at least according to legend!), the Nos Galan Road Race closes out the running calendar each December 31 with a 5km route around the town of Mountain Ash. There’s a race for kids and adults, and each year a famous Welsh sportsperson, whose identity is kept secret until the event, is chosen to light the beacon that signals the start of the main race.