The Cardiff Half Marathon 2027 ballot opened on Thursday 1 October 2026, which is why the event is rising in UK searches today. The official race website has confirmed the key dates, prices and alternative entry routes. The race itself will return on Sunday 3 October 2027.

The biggest change for many runners is that standard entry is not a first-come, first-served rush. The organisers use a ballot to manage very high demand. That means you do not need to race against thousands of people to click at exactly the opening minute, but you do need to submit a complete ballot application before the deadline.

When does the 2027 Cardiff Half ballot close?

The ballot opened on 1 October and closes at midnight on Sunday 18 October 2026. The organisers say applications remain open for several weeks, so entering earlier does not improve your odds compared with another valid ballot application submitted before the deadline.

Do not confuse the ballot closing date with the race date. The race is almost a year later, on 3 October 2027.

When are ballot results announced?

Results are scheduled for Thursday 22 October 2026. The event says successful applicants are automatically allocated a place and the entry fee is taken using the payment details supplied during the ballot application.

Applicants should therefore make sure the card or payment details they provide are valid. The ballot itself is free to enter, but a successful application becomes a paid race entry.

How much does the Cardiff Half 2027 cost?

The official registration page lists the UK ballot entry fee at £59 and the international ballot entry at £70. A non-refundable administration fee from the registration platform is charged on top.

There are also alternative routes. Welsh Athletics members have 1,500 discounted places priced at £54 on a first-come, first-served basis. An NSPCC fundraiser entry is listed at £40 when the runner pledges to raise £300. Several bundle products combine the Cardiff Half with other Welsh races.

Is there a separate international ballot?

Yes. The organisers operate UK and international ballots. The reason given is to balance home demand with the large number of overseas runners working towards the SuperHalfs series.

International applicants can enter as a team of up to three runners. The organiser makes clear that this does not multiply the chance of selection: the lead applicant is the ballot entry, and if selected, the team receives places together. Entering the same person in multiple teams to try to increase the odds can lead to disqualification.

What does “Skip the Ballot” mean?

Several limited entry products allow a runner to secure a place without waiting for the random ballot result. These include a Welsh Distance Double, a CDF Training Bundle, a Welsh Half & Half Bundle, Welsh Athletics entry and the NSPCC fundraiser option.

These places are limited. They are useful if you already planned to run the paired event or raise money for the charity, but they should not be treated as automatically better value for every runner. Compare the total cost and whether you genuinely intend to take part in both events before buying a bundle.

What happens if you are successful?

If your ballot application is drawn, the event says you are automatically entered and payment is taken. The organisers also warn that the normal two-week cooling-off period does not apply to ballot entries, so only enter if you are genuinely prepared to take the place.

Check the event's full terms before applying, especially if your schedule is uncertain. Entry rules around transfers, gifting and withdrawals are separate from the random draw itself.

Can you enter through a charity later?

Yes. Registration for other official charities, tour operators and SuperVoucher routes is scheduled to open on ballot results day, 22 October 2026. That gives unsuccessful ballot applicants other potential routes into the race, although availability differs by provider.

The NSPCC fundraiser route is available as a Skip the Ballot option when the ballot opens.

How old do you need to be?

The event terms say participants must be at least 17 years old on race day. The half-marathon distance is 13.1 miles and the published cut-off time is four hours.

There are separate junior events, so families should not assume the adult half-marathon entry rules apply to the Saturday junior races.

What is included in the entry fee?

The organiser lists a race pack with number and timing chip, a closed-road and marshalled city-centre route, course entertainment, a finisher medal, a technical finisher tee or Climate Action Fund donation, training advice, access to the event village, feed stations, live tracking and finish-time SMS.

That list matters when comparing the headline fee with other half marathons. Travel, accommodation, meals and optional extras are not the same thing as the race entry itself.

How should international runners plan travel?

Do not book a non-refundable trip simply because you entered the ballot. Wait until you have a confirmed place or use an entry route that guarantees one. Cardiff is likely to be busy over race weekend, so successful international runners should compare accommodation near the city centre with places on reliable public-transport routes.

Road closures are part of a major city race. If you plan to drive, follow the event's final parking and travel instructions closer to October 2027 rather than assuming a normal Sunday traffic pattern.

What is the SuperHalfs connection?

Cardiff is part of the SuperHalfs series, which attracts runners from outside the UK. People holding certain SuperHalfs voucher or charity codes can redeem them through the official registration process when that route opens. The race website says SuperVoucher registration for 2027 opens on ballot results day.

If you use a voucher, follow the official redemption route and enter the code at checkout. Do not pay a second time and assume it will be refunded automatically.

What should you do before submitting the ballot?

  • Confirm you can realistically be in Cardiff on Sunday 3 October 2027.
  • Use payment details that will still work when the draw takes place on 22 October 2026.
  • Choose the UK or international ballot that applies to you.
  • Read the withdrawal and transfer terms before accepting the conditions.
  • Keep the confirmation email and ballot reference after submitting.

Where is the official ballot information?

The authoritative details are on the official Cardiff Half Marathon registration page. The organisers may update operational details, so check that page again before the ballot closes and before making travel arrangements.

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