Smiles, sweat and sun in the capital with the return of the Cardiff half marathon

  • Wales
WS270322 CARDIFF HALF MARATHON HERO
Thousands gathered on a sunny day in the capital for the Cardiff Half Marathon Credit: Run4Wales

Thousands of runners descended on the capital on Sunday as the Cardiff University Cardiff Half Marathon returned after a two-year hiatus.

Starting outside Cardiff Castle, the 13.1 mile race took in the city centre past the Principality Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium before crossing the barrage to take in Cardiff Bay.

From there the runners headed for the Roath Park loop before a sprint finish in the heart of the city at the Civic Centre.

History was made in the women's race as a Welsh champion was crowned for the first time in 18 years, Natasha Cockram storming to victory with a personal best of 1:10:47.

Cockram is now hoping to compete for Wales at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games later this year. The Cwmbran runner led from the front to beat countrywoman Bronwen Owen (1:14:04) and Elle Twentyman (1:14:58).

Natasha Cockram made Cardiff Half Marathon history in the women's race by becoming the first Welsh competitor to win the event in 18 years Credit: Run4Wales

"I love coming back to Wales, especially being a home athlete, everyone seems to know me and I hear my name quite often in the crowd, it’s really good,” said Cockram.

"I didn’t really know what to expect in terms of position but I came here wanting to PB which I’ve done, and to win made it extra special. "The Commonwealth Games have been my dream from a really young age so hopefully I can get selected for that now. It’s been my dream since I started running."

Inna Gordiienko ran the half marathon to help raise money for her family and friends in her native Ukraine Credit: Run4Wales

In the men's race, Southampton’s Mahamed Mahamed led from the off with his younger brother Zakariya and Kadar Omar hot on his heels.

Mahamed and Omar kicked on around Roath Park lake before Omar, who fled Ethiopia as a refugee and now resides in Birmingham, sprinted clear in the home stretch to take the tape in 1:02:46.

Mahamed and Zakariya Mahamed finished second and third in 1:02:52 and 1:04:05 respectively.

Kadar Omar finished with a strong time in the men's race Credit: Run4Wales

"My aim was to test myself with the best athletes and take the win, so I’m happy to take the win and I really enjoyed the course," Omar said."I really enjoyed the atmosphere and support along the way, thanks to the Cardiff people, the organisers and my coach for training me for this Cardiff Half Marathon."I fled from my country when I was 13 because of the political situation and I ended up in a refugee camp with my uncle and brother. I lived there in a tent, life became very hard."But I found a home through sport, and sport changed my life. I am always running to forget what happened and to focus on improving. Running is my life and is very dear to me so I enjoyed today."

Sam Kolek took gold in the men’s wheelchair race, while Mel Nicholls took the win in the women’s wheelchair event. Credit: Run4Wales

Sam Kolek took gold in the men's wheelchair race, while Mel Nicholls took the win in the women's wheelchair event.

Thousands more participants streamed across the finish line after patiently waiting two years due to the pandemic.

Another event is scheduled for October this year.Matt Newman, Chief Executive of organisers Run 4 Wales, said: "This Cardiff University Cardiff Half Marathon has been 903 days in the making, but it was well worth the wait to see the city come alive with the runners and spectators who make the Cardiff Half a truly special event."Together, we showcased just how important sport, and especially mass-participation running is to our country, whilst showing off what our fantastic capital city has to offer."A special thank you must go to our partners and sponsors for sticking with us through the challenges presented to us during the pandemic. Without them, we would not be able to stage this wonderful event."