Heavy rain forecast for city’s biggest road race
CARDIFF’s biggest-ever halfmarathon will take place on Sunday – but runners are being warned to prepare for extreme weather.
This year has seen the biggest-ever entry, with 25,000 signing up for the race, which starts outside Cardiff Castle.
But the Met Office has now issued a yellow warning for rain between midnight on Sunday and Monday evening.
The chief forecaster has said: “The exact location of where the largest rainfall totals will occur is currently uncertain.
“Further heavy persistent rain is possible in places on Monday; this appears more likely across the more south-western parts of Britain.”
Winds of up to 60mph are also forecast.
Top Welsh runner Dewi Griffiths, who won the Swansea Half Marathon in June, said the race was always well-supported regardless of the conditions.
“It’s such a great atmosphere,” he said. “There is so much support all the way round.
“You get through Cardiff Bay and there’s a huge roar and that gets you through a mile before you even realise.
“Then there’s another big one around eight to nine miles.”
He has been touted as a potential first Welsh winner but said the pressure doesn’t get to him.
“I’m outside the top 10 in terms of time, but you never know. Whatever will be, will be.”
Dewi added: “I think I’m in personal-best shape so if I get to the end with that, I’ll be happy.”
And he gave tips to runners who will be braving the rain.
“Be warm at the start line. You don’t want to be wet before it even starts – a good option is a bin bag so you can just get rid of it as soon as you start. Don’t panic about it, as there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Run 4 Wales chief executive Matt Newman said he believes the route is one of the factors in the success of the Half.
“Both the London Marathon and Great North Run have been around for a lot longer but the actual experience on the day in terms of the route, the beauty of Cardiff as you’re running across the Barrage, for example, is incredible.
“When we changed the route to include Roath Park Lake, we’ve seen so many people coming out to line the route and it’s become a truly iconic event.”
Roads in the city are going to be closed ahead of the event. The main run starts at 10am. See our website www.walesonline.co.uk for a full road closure map