THE Cardiff Half Marathon, scheduled for October 3, has been postponed by organisers.
Run 4 Wales, the company that promotes Wales’ leading mass-participation events, announced the decision with ‘deep regret’.
Organisers have cited uncertainties over covid-19 behind the reason for its postponement, adding they cannot predict what restrictions will be in place in October.
The Welsh Government has also set a capacity of 4000 for outdoor sporting events including event-related spectators.
This is the third time the race has been cancelled as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and it has now been rescheduled for March 27, 2022.
A ‘Virtual Cardiff Half’ has now been scheduled for October 3, 2021, which will give runners the opportunity to celebrate the Cardiff Half Marathon.
This free event will give everyone a chance to walk, jog or run the 13.1 mile distance ahead of the return of the live event in March 2022.
Matt Newman, R4W Chief Executive explained the thinking behind the postponement: “Run 4 Wales (R4W) has been working closely with the Welsh Government and Cardiff City Council to understand the potential timeline for the safe return of events in Wales, including the Cardiff University / Cardiff Half Marathon (CHM).
“Whilst the vaccine rollout in the UK continues to provide cause for optimism, the situation in Wales remains uncertain, with the Welsh Government currently setting a maximum outdoor event capacity of 4,000, including event-related spectators.
“At present there are also no plans to relax the 2 metre social distancing rules, which provides significant operational challenges for mass-participation event organisers.
“Over recent years the CHM has grown into the 2nd largest half-marathon in the UK, with over 25,000 participants and 100,000 spectators lining the route. An event of this scale requires a significant planning phase and we have now entered the critical period. The Welsh Government’s 21-day review cycle means that R4W cannot predict the prevailing restrictions which will be in force this autumn, so a decision needs to be made now.
“Due to this uncertainty and in agreement with Cardiff City Council, circumstances dictate that we must now postpone the 2021 CHM to the spring of 2022. The health and safety of race participants, their supporters, event volunteers and the Run 4 Wales staff team is at the forefront of our decision making and we hope that everyone understands the reasons for this decision.
“The Welsh Government continues to work with partners in the events industry and we are hopeful that other events in our portfolio can be held within the guidelines this autumn.”
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