RECORD ENTRIES FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF LLOYDS TSB CARDIFF HALF MARATHON

A record number of people will take part in this year’s Lloyds TSB Cardiff Half Marathon, with more than 15,000 runners already signed up to race around the capital.

On the back of the Olympic Games and the sporting feel-good factor that has engulfed the nation, entries have spiked and the 10th anniversary of the biggest mass participation sporting event staged in Wales promises to be the best of all time on Sunday, 14 October.

After selling out at 15,000 for the past two years the race capacity was increased to 20,012 this year and the public have responded by smashing through the 15,000 barrier with nine weeks to go until race day.

“We’re riding the feel-good factor of the Olympic Games at the moment with another 500 plus entries this week taking us through the 15,000 barrier,” said Run4Wales director Nigel Roberts.

“Our new course has proved to be a major attraction, as has the carnival atmosphere that will be created with a start outside Cardiff Castle and finish in the Civic Centre.

“Having seen the crowds that have flocked to the Olympic Games we are confident we will have tens of thousands of people out on the streets supporting the athletes in one of Britain’s biggest and best road races.

“To celebrate the Olympic Games coming ‘home’ to Great Britain in 2012, and staging events in Wales for the first time, we increased the size of our field to 20,012. We still have a way to go to reach that target, but there are still SIX weeks to go before entries close at 12 noon on Wednesday, 12 September.

Title sponsors Lloyds TSB will be showcasing their Olympic involvement and there will be music around the course to keep the runners and fans entertained.

“We have a clear vision for this event and that is to turn it into the third biggest road race in the UK. We want it to rank alongside the London Marathon and the Great North Run as the best of British athletics events,” added Roberts.

“The runners have obviously responded well to our plans and I’m confident the general public will come out in force to add their backing. This is an event that has already delivered millions of pounds to charity, and will continue to do so, but we also want to make it a must-run, must-see race for sports fans all over the world.”

If you haven’t joined the record breaking field as yet then log on to www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk and download an entry form or enter on-line. Entry costs £29 for affiliated athletes and £31 for non-affiliated.