Cardiff Half a huge success

Staff and students have taken part in a hugely successful weekend of running-related activities as part of the Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon.

A day-long Festival of Running offered fun for all ages on Saturday, 1 October while the half marathon itself attracted thousands of runners the following day.

The festival included a family fun run, a fun run for Cardiff University students, one-mile road races and a mascot race featuring University mascot Dylan the Dragon.

The half marathon saw staff, students and alumni running as part of the University’s 200-strong #TeamCardiff or volunteering in important roles to support the event.

#TeamCardiff runners had pledged to raise funds for the University’s cancer research or dementia and mental health research.

Physiotherapists from our School of Healthcare Sciences were on hand after the race to offer a relaxing massage to weary runners.

Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of the University, who started the first wave of runners at 10:00, said: “Our students and staff have been actively involved with the Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon in many different roles, and I was particularly pleased to see so many running as part of #TeamCardiff.

“Congratulations to all the runners and the many volunteers who gave up their time to ensure that the event was a success.

“I’m delighted that the University is so involved. As the leading provider of medical and healthcare training in Wales, it is important that we promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, particularly in our own communities.”

The University’s title partnership with the Cardiff Half Marathon builds upon our collaboration with the IAAF World Half Marathon in Cardiff earlier this year in which thousands of runners followed in the footsteps of 200 elite athletes, including double Olympic champion Mo Farah.