The ballot for the 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon is now open, giving runners a chance to add one of the six SuperHalfs races to their calendar. Applications close at midnight on Sunday October 18th 2026, with the race taking place on Sunday October 3rd 2027.
Entering the ballot is free. Successful applicants will be charged £59 through the UK ballot or £70 through the international ballot, plus a registration platform fee. Results will be announced on Thursday October 22nd, with successful runners entered and charged automatically.
Cardiff may not be the first city mentioned when people think of international race ballots, but demand tells its own story. The ballot for the 2026 event attracted five times as many applications as there were available places, helped by Cardiff's position in the increasingly popular SuperHalfs series.
When Does the Cardiff Half Marathon Ballot Close?
The ballot opened on Thursday October 1st and closes at midnight on Sunday October 18th 2026.
Applications can be made through the official 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon ballot page. Places will be allocated randomly, so applying early does not improve a runner's chances.
Participants must be at least 17 years old on race day and able to complete the 13.1 mile course within the four hour time limit.
How the Ballot Works
Cardiff operates separate UK and international draws. The different allocations are intended to retain places for runners based in the UK while accommodating overseas demand from those pursuing the SuperHalfs series.
For Run Republic readers, that means runners based in Northern Ireland use the UK ballot, while those based in the Republic of Ireland use the international ballot.
Applicants must enter their registration details and payment information when joining the draw. A bank may ask the runner to authorise the future transaction, but the organiser says no money is taken at the application stage.
Successful applicants will be registered automatically and charged on Thursday October 22nd. There is no separate step to accept the place, so runners should only apply if they intend to take part and are ready for the fee to leave their account.
The payment card cannot be changed once an application has been submitted. Anyone who needs to use another card must withdraw and submit a fresh application before 4pm on Friday October 16th. That is also the final deadline for withdrawing from the ballot entirely.
It is particularly important to have enough money available when the draw takes place. If a successful payment fails, the application becomes unsuccessful and the place is offered to another runner.
When Will Runners Hear Back?
Every applicant should receive a result by email before the end of Thursday October 22nd. Emails will be sent in batches during the day, so one runner hearing early does not mean another has missed out.
Applicants should check their junk folder and their Let's Do This account if no message appears. A confirmed 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon booking, rather than only a ballot application, means the runner has been successful. A payment to Let's Do This or Run 4 Wales around October 22nd is another sign that a place has been allocated.
Can Friends Enter Together?
An international team option is available for groups of up to three runners. There is no team option in the UK ballot.
Only the lead applicant is entered into the draw. If that person is selected, every runner named in the team receives a place and each entry fee is charged. Applying as a team does not increase the group's odds.
Runners can only be included in one international team. Anyone entered through several teams in an attempt to gain extra chances will be disqualified.
How Much Does Cardiff Half Marathon Entry Cost?
The UK ballot entry fee is £59, while the international fee is £70. A non refundable administration fee from the registration platform is added to both prices, but the event page does not currently state its amount.
Entry includes a race pack with number and timing chip, a fully closed road course, on course entertainment, a finisher medal, live tracking, a finish time text message, pacers and a technical finisher shirt. Runners can decline the shirt and have its fulfilment cost donated to the Run 4 Wales Climate Action Fund instead.
Successful ballot entries do not receive the usual cooling off period and are generally non refundable. Limited exceptions apply for circumstances including serious health problems and pregnancy.
Runners who later cannot take part can gift their place to somebody else without receiving a refund, provided the transfer is completed before the booking changes deadline. The exact 2027 deadline has not yet been announced, but organisers say it is normally around six weeks before race day.
What Is the SuperHalfs Series?
Cardiff forms part of the six race SuperHalfs series alongside Lisbon, Prague, Berlin, Copenhagen and Valencia. Runners can complete the events in any order and now have unlimited time to finish all six before collecting the SuperMedal at their final race.
Anyone planning to count Cardiff towards the series should create a free SuperPassport and include the passport number when entering. It can also be added to the registration later, provided the booking changes deadline has not passed.
Completing Cardiff before creating a passport does not necessarily mean losing the result, as eligible finishes can be claimed afterwards. Adding the number during registration is still the simplest option.
Other Ways to Get a 2027 Cardiff Half Place
More guaranteed entry routes are due to open when the ballot results are released.
Official Charity Places
Cardiff works with more than 100 official charities. Many offer free or discounted race places in return for a fundraising commitment, with the entry cost and target set by each organisation.
The wider charity allocation for 2027 opens on ballot results day. .
Official Tour Operators
Approved tour operators offer packages that can include guaranteed race entry, accommodation, travel and support. Marathon Tours and Travel is the event's lead travel partner, while Sports Tours International is listed as an approved operator serving Ireland, the UK, the United States and France.
Prices depend on the package. Runners should book only through providers listed on the official international entry page.
Ever Present Runners
Anyone who has completed every Cardiff Half Marathon since the first edition in 2003 can still secure a place after an unsuccessful ballot result. Organisers ask these runners to contact them after the draw with evidence of their participation if they are not already known to the event.
What Else Is Confirmed for Race Day?
The 2027 Cardiff Half Marathon takes place on Sunday October 3rd. The event has a capacity of around 27,500 runners and traditionally uses a flat course beginning outside Cardiff Castle.
The route passes the Principality Stadium, Cardiff City Stadium, Penarth Marina, Cardiff Bay, the Senedd, Wales Millennium Centre and Roath Park Lake before finishing in the Civic Centre.
The organiser has not yet published a final 2027 start time or full race weekend schedule. The registration deadline for runners entering through charities, tour operators or event partners is Wednesday September 1st 2027.
2027 Cardiff Half Marathon Ballot: Key Dates
- Thursday October 1st 2026: Ballot opened.
- Friday October 16th 2026 at 4pm: Final deadline to withdraw or reapply with different card details.
- Sunday October 18th 2026 at midnight: Ballot closes.
- Thursday October 22nd 2026: Ballot results announced, successful payments taken and further charity, tour operator and SuperHalfs code registrations open.
- Wednesday September 1st 2027: Final registration deadline for charity, tour operator and event partner places.
- Sunday October 3rd 2027: Cardiff Half Marathon.
Runners can enter and read the full ballot conditions on the official Cardiff Half Marathon registration page. Those counting the race towards the European series can also create a free passport through the official SuperHalfs website.
