Over the last couple of years we have seen big changes to races mainly due to COVID. We lost quite a few and they have been slow to come back but slowly slowly things are picking up. Some have not come back at all, some have changed and some new ones have found their place in the race calendar.
We all love to race and know that medals and t-shirts can be very appealing. We love to travel to new places to run new routes and have new adventures but there are plenty closer to home. Local races may appeal to those who worry about travelling and the costs/time involved.
I have put together a list of races which you may or may not have heard about. Those new to club running may not have heard of some of these and it’s also a nice refresher for everyone else. Obviously the comments are all my own opinion and you all know how I love to race so if you are thinking about entering any of them then check out the entry dates and info and then sign up. I would urge you to give them a go and have some new adventures.
In the past a few Pegs have had podium places and prizes for positions they have achieved so anything is possible and you know the motto ‘You have to be in it to win it’.
The list is purely ones I have chosen and there are plenty more (I am sure). Check out the calendar (link below) for more options.
Local races
Cardiff Running Events – a local group who put on regular races throughout the year which start around the Spine Road in Bute Park.
20/10 – 8th March – start and finish on the Spine Road. The 20 mile course is twice the 10 mile route and is a good race if you are marathon training
Trail half marathon – (date tbc) keep an eye out on their website for more details but usually uses the Taff Trail.
Summer Series – 1m (13th May), 2m (27th May), 3m (17th June) and 4m (1st July) races all take place in Bute Park and on a Wednesday evening. These are a good indication to see where you are currently at with your own training and not normally distances we would run and can be quite fast. Don’t let that put you off though and they are well supported. You don’t have to enter all but if you do there is a gift at the end for doing all 4. You never know you may even win an age category prize.
CPR – if you are looking for a challenge definitely do this one. Held at the end of August on the bank holiday weekend. Saturday sees the races starting with Cardiff Parkrun and then at lunchtime back for a 10k finishing off the day with a 4.5k cross country in the afternoon. Sunday is the half marathon and then the 1mile time trial culminating in 26.2 miles. So if you like a challenge and want to eat, breathe, sleep and run for a whole weekend then try this. Great support and camaraderie with the entrants. Small field (apart form having to join in the Parkrun) but well worth doing. Last year you could purchase a t-shirt specifically made by a volunteer but they no longer have race t-shirts but there is a goody bag at the end and the kudos of your achievement.
https://www.cardiffrunningevents.org
Big Moose
Variety of distances from 5k to an ultra all in Bute Park. Races have been cancelled for this year but were due to take part on the 12th April. Worth looking out for next year. Everyone was provided with a Big Moose t-shirt to wear at the event and a see of orange spotty t-shirts was an amazing spectacle. The funds raised go to a local charity which supports mental health.
Rogue Runs – Severn Bridge night races
Usually 3 a year (2 in the winter and 1 in the spring but this year they are doing an extra one in the winter). Starts on the Severn Bridge and across to the service station and back on the other side finishing in the tunnel under the bridge. Face paints and glow sticks available. Great warm up done before the start. Tea and cakes provided at the end. Well organised and great fun.
Twilight run is 23rd April
Halloween themed run is 29th October
2nd Night race is 12th November
Christmas themed run is 17th December
Bluebell Blunder – 19th April (full for this year) and takes place in the Wye Valley and is a trail run
https://www.rogueruns.co.uk/home/our-events
Welsh Fell Runners Association – Pentyrch Hill race
Held on a Tuesday evening (28th) April and is a very challenging run. Great fun to do if you like a challenge – roughly a 7 mile run
https://www.welshfellrunnersassociation.org.uk/en/races/pentyrch-hill-race-2026
Whitchurch 5k (Race for Victory)
Usually held on the first Monday in May but has been suspended for this year. Very popular with the race being run around the streets of Whitchurch.
Islwyn Running Club
Sirhowy Challenge – 17th May – a 10 mile multi terrain race with a 1500 ft climb to Machen Trig Point. There is also a loop race of 6.66miles
Blade Runner – 21st June (challenging with a few inclines) Finishes close to a field of wind turbines on the Oakdale Plateau hence called the Blade Runner. Previously a buff was handed out at the end with some fruit and water. Nice local, small run.
Scenic 7 – 29th July (Wednesday evening) – 7 mile race through Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Murder Mile – 28th August – tough up hill mile and not for the faint hearted so be warned!
Chepstow Harriers – Rose Inn Races
Previously 4 races in the year on the 2nd Tuesday in May, June, July and August but this year they have reduced this to two races (reasons unknown on the 12th May and 9th June). It’s the same course every time and 2 laps of a 2 mile loop. Based in Redwick (close to Magor). Well organised and great to do. Speedy but nice to be involved and great to see where you are at with your own speed training. Water and cereal bars provided afterwards. They used to have a bbq at the finish but this was not there last year. There is a pub in the village and parking is in the local farmer’s field. If you happen to be in a certain age group you might get a podium place! This year they are doing a team prize so the more people entered from a club the better.
Magor 10k – 26th July – last year the course changed and to 3 laps of the Rose Inn route so super speedy and flat. Parking is in the farmer’s field and a must to try for a 10k pb.
https://sites.google.com/site/chepstowharriersrunningclub/home
SSAFA – 5k series (3 races)
Start and finish in Bute Park close to the Ambulance Station. Usually held on a Wednesday evening and if any club members are entered we adjust our social run so we can see them and support. Fast field with some very speedy runners but in the past we have had some podium finishers in certain age groups. Great to support. Dates for this year are 20th May, 3rd June and 22nd July)
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us/ssafa-cardiff-5k-road-race-series-info
Caerleon Running Club –
Caerleon 5 miler – starts and finishes in the amphitheatre. Runs out and along the estuary path with a few inclines. This has only been going a couple of years but a perfect distance on a summer evening with lovely scenery.
P&D Runners – Cosmeston relays – usually held in July. Teams of 3 compete doing a 3 mile leg each all in Cosmeston Park. Really fun event with lots of support and cheering. A club favourite.
Porthkerry Five – used to be in May but this year has moved to September (20th) due to so many clashes last year. Held in Porthkerry park (Barry). Multi terrain 5 mile race and opportunity at the end to have a club gathering as plenty of space. Great to enter and lots of support.
https://penarthanddinasrunners.co.uk
Ponty Roadents
Treforest 10k – 24th May Makes use of the Taff Trail and is an out and back course. Well supported and really good to participate in.
Ponty Relays – usually held in Aug in Ynysgharad Park in Pontypridd. Teams of 3 compete in a 2 mile lap. Lots of support and great fun to enter. Another popular one
The Rabbit Run – held in Merthyr Mawr. (18th July)
Challenging and a combination of terrains with the best part running down the Big Dipper. Well organised with parking in a local field which can be a bit tough to get out off as only a narrow road in and out. Now offering a 12k, marathon and ultra (65k) distances. There are junior races before the main event and even a beer mile!
Some of the races are also included in the South Wales Championships so make sure you tick the box to enter if you are signing up. This year the races included are Pentyrch Hill Race, Treforest 10k, Porthkerry 5 and one of the Ssafa’s. Each year this changes and they try to do a variety which will appeal to everyone.
And lastly don’t forget when entering races to put your club as Pegasus RC.