The new-look Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K (previously known as the Cardiff Bay Run) is returning to its traditional pre-pandemic slot for the first time since 2019 this Sunday, 26 March 2023.
Over 5,000 people have registered to take part in the 10K or one of the three supporting Junior races. Thousands more spectators will descend on the Welsh capital for the event.
When is the Cardiff Bay 10K?
The event takes place this Sunday 26 March. The 10K race will start at 11:00 and a series of Junior races kick off from 09:30.
Where is it happening?
The event is based in the Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay. The Junior races start and finish in the Oval Basin whilst the 10K starts on Lloyd George Avenue and finishes in the Roald Dahl Plass. The event village is situated on the waterfront near the Pierhead Building.
Can I still enter?
Registration for all races is now closed and no on-the-day entries will be available.
Where does the 10K race go?
The Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K boasts a stunning 10K course around Cardiff Bay.
The route takes in all of Cardiff Bay’s most iconic landmarks, starting on Lloyd George Avenue and passing the Wales Millennium Centre, Mermaid Quay, the Pierhead Building, Senedd, Porth Teigr and the Cardiff Bay Barrage before finishing in Roald Dahl Plass.
You can see a map of the route here.
Will there be any famous faces in attendance?
Former Wales international Shane Williams and 2021 Love Island winner Liam Reardon will be in attendance, running for lead charity Velindre as part of the ‘All Stars’ team.
Is there an elite race?
Previous winners Dewi Griffiths, Omar Ahmed and Clara Evans will be amongst a strong field of elite athletes looking for fast times in Cardiff Bay.
Dewi Griffiths (28:27) was the winner here in 2017 and will take on the 2021, 2022 winner Omar Ahmed (28:29) who re-set the course record to 28:42 back in 2021. This will be a test of road fitness for Griffiths who claimed an eighth senior Welsh Cross Country title in Brecon last month as he continues his preparation for the TCS London Marathon in April.
Ethiopian athlete Ahmed won the JCP Swansea Half Marathon last year and more recently finished as the runner up in the Chester 10k. He was able to get the better of Griffiths here 12 months ago with the Welshman finishing as the runner up on that occasion.
The women’s race will see a head to head between two of Wales’ top distance runners with clubmates Jenny Nesbitt (32:30) and Clara Evans (32:35) testing themselves on Welsh roads and currently sitting fifth and sixth on the Welsh all-time lists.
Nesbitt is a former UK Inter-Counties Cross Country Champion whose winter was spent on the Indoor Circuit with Evans opting for a different approach to the start of 2023 which included a 2:29.27 clocking for 16th at the Seville Marathon in mid February.
Swedish Olympian Carolina Wikstrom (32:38) is a twice winner of the Stockholm Marathon and is looking to revise her 10km best in Cardiff.
A full elite preview can be seen here.
What Junior Races are taking place?
There are three Junior races taking place. The Future Challengers Mile has been designed for competitive young club athletes looking for an accessible opportunity to compete. The traditional, no-pressure Fun Run is a 2K race suitable for adults and children of all ages. You don’t need to run the whole way, and fancy dress is very much encouraged. There’s also an adorable Toddler Dash on offer for the youngest of competitors.
What is the weather forecast?
The forecast for the race day is currently mixed. It will be cool with potential for light rain showers before the race, clearing up into the afternoon.
What is the best way to travel to the race?
Cardiff Bay is easily accessible by foot, bike, public transport or car. It’s a 20-minute walk from the city centre and is served by regular buses and trains (via Cardiff Queen Street Station). Runners are advised to check before travelling by train as disruption to train services between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay is likely (but there are several options for services into Cardiff Central).
There are very limited parking options in Cardiff Bay because of the road closures in place for the event, so car sharing is encouraged, and we recommend parking in the city centre (which is a short 1-mile walk or warm up jog from the Bay).
For those arriving by bike, there will be a free bike park available at the top of Roald Dahl Plass outside the Wales Millennium Centre, opposite the water tower.
For travel and parking advice click here.
Will there be road closures in place?
Some road closures will be in operation to facilitate the safe passage of participants. A list of road closures and interactive google map to help plan your journey can be found here.
Will there be atmosphere around the route?
There will still be a fantastic atmosphere in Cardiff Bay, with spectators expected to turn out to support. Runners can expect an extra boost to the finish line thanks to musical entertainment from ‘The Rock Choir’ and ‘Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band’ along the route.
Will money be raised for charity?
Velindre Cancer Centre are the Lead Charity of the event for the third time, with over 170 runners fundraising for the Hospital of Hope, including a group of ‘All Stars’ – made up of past and current patients, as well as those who have supported family members through treatment.
What else is going on?
Brecon Carreg are the headline sponsor of the event for the fifth time. They use their association with the race as a vehicle to promote recycling, sustainability and the fight against plastic waste and have recruited a 50 strong team of ‘ploggers’ (the act of litter picking whilst jogging) who will be taking part in the 10K, collecting litter as they go.
A Team Challenge will see 120 runners from companies including Cycle Solutions, Eversheds Sutherlan, Golley Slater and MOD St Athan go head-to-head.
Who organises the event?
The event is organised by Run 4 Wales (R4W), a not-for-profit social enterprise and charitable trust that manages major sporting events including the Cardiff Half Marathon, but the race would not be possible without the support of volunteers. A team of 100 ‘Extra Milers’ will be giving up their own time on race day to ensure every runner has an unforgettable experience.
What will runners receive when they finish the race?
Every 10K runner will receive a commemorative medal and event t-shirt upon finishing the race.
Bringing a touch of California to Cardiff, finishers items will this year feature the unmissable Pink Hut that sits on the Cardiff Bay Barrage. The medal will form a matching set with medals given out at other 2023 events in the R4W 10K Series including the ABP Newport Wales 10K, Ogi Porthcawl 10K and Barry Island 10K.
A group of staff, patients and supporters from Lead Charity Partner Velindre were on hand to help reveal the designs earlier this month. You can see images from the photo shoot here.
Can you track runners around the race?
The Run 4 Wales App on iOS and Android can be used to inspect the route pre-race and live track participants on the day with full Google maps functionality.
Find out more or download the app here.
Race Day Guide
A full lowdown of all the important event information can be found here.
If you’re taking part and have any questions or issues, the Event Helpdesk will be open from 08:30am in the Event Village near the Pierhead Building on Sunday morning. Information about what to do if your race pack has not arrived can be found here.
