The Newport Half Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, 19 April 2026 in Newport, Wales, as the ABP Newport Half returns for another edition of one of South Wales’ most celebrated road running events. General public entries for the race have officially sold out, closing ahead of the 22 March 2026 registration deadline a clear signal of the demand this event consistently generates among runners across the UK. However, runners who missed the general ballot can still participate through charity partner places, the Business Challenge category, or by signing up for the accompanying 10K event.
Newport Half Marathon 2026
The 2026 ABP Newport Half Marathon starts in Newport city centre, with the course looping through the surrounding area before returning to a central finish. The race takes place on the same day as the ABP Newport Marathon, making the weekend a flagship event for the Welsh running calendar and a significant occasion for local communities and businesses along the route.
Not publicly disclosed are the precise start times for the 2026 edition, though reports suggest the half marathon follows a morning start in line with previous years’ scheduling, which has consistently placed the gun at approximately 9:00 AM. Runners should check the official race website at newportwalesmarathon.co.uk for confirmed start time and assembly point guidance ahead of the event.
The Route: Newport Castle, Caerleon and City Landmarks
The Newport Half Marathon 2026 follows a loop course starting and finishing in Newport city centre, taking runners past some of the region’s most recognisable landmarks and through historically significant terrain. The route passes Newport Castle and continues through Caerleon a Roman garrison town whose streets carry centuries of history underfoot before circling back to the city centre finish.
The course measures the standard half marathon distance of 13.1 miles (21.1 kilometres), and the loop design means spectators and supporters can gather near the start-finish zone to cheer runners at both the beginning and the end of the race. Not publicly disclosed is the precise elevation profile for 2026, though the Newport course has traditionally presented a manageable challenge for runners of mixed ability, making it accessible to both club runners targeting personal bests and charity runners completing their first half marathon.
General Entries Sold Out: Three Routes Still Open
The standard general entry ballot for the Newport Half Marathon 2026 closed on 22 March 2026 at midnight — or earlier, as organisers reserved the right to close entries when the field capacity was reached first. The event reached that point before the deadline, confirming once again the high demand for places at this race.
Three participation pathways remain available for runners who wish to take part:
- Charity Places — Runners who partner with an official charity supporter of the ABP Newport events can secure entry in exchange for fundraising commitments. Charities must register and confirm participant slots through the event’s official charity programme
- Business Challenge Packages — Corporate teams can enter via business challenge packages, providing a structured entry route for organisations wanting to build team participation around a high-profile sporting event
- ABP Newport 10K — Runners who prefer a shorter distance or did not secure a half marathon place can still register for the 10K race, which runs alongside the main event on the same day and uses Newport’s roads as its canvas
Runners in any of the above categories who have secured their participation must complete their registration before the official deadline to guarantee their race number and entry on the day.
Registration Entry Fees: What Newport Half Runners Paid
The entry fees for the 2026 Newport Half Marathon general field followed a tiered structure that incentivised early registration. The pricing structure for unaffiliated runners was set at:
- £30 for entries received before 30 November 2025
- £40 for entries received before 15 February 2026
Affiliated runners — those holding membership of a registered athletics club — qualified for reduced rates:
- £28 before 30 November 2025
- £38 before 15 February 2026
The registration deadline for general entry was 15 February 2026, though the event’s overall entry window extended to 22 March before full sellout was confirmed. Not publicly disclosed are the fee structures for charity and business challenge entries, as these vary by individual charity agreement and corporate package.
Race Organisers: St David’s Hospice Care at the Heart of Newport’s Run
The Newport Half Marathon is organised by St David’s Hospice Care, a Newport-based charity that delivers specialist palliative care and support services across Gwent and the surrounding communities. The event serves as both a flagship fundraising vehicle and a community celebration, drawing thousands of participants each year whose entry fees and charity pledges support the hospice’s services.
Runners, volunteers, and community partners can contact the race organisers directly through the following details:
- Race Organiser: Christine Vorres, St David’s Hospice Care
- Address: Blackett Avenue, Newport, Gwent, NP20 6NH
- Phone: 01633 851051
- Email: newporthalf@stdavidshospicecare.org
- Website: cityofnewporthalfmarathon.com
Packet Collection and Race Day Logistics
Not publicly disclosed at this stage are the full race day logistics for the 2026 ABP Newport Half Marathon, including packet collection times, road closure schedules, and post-race facilities. Reports suggest organisers will publish a detailed race day guide for confirmed participants via email and through the official event website in the weeks leading up to April 19.
Runners with charity, business challenge, or 10K registrations should monitor their confirmation emails closely for any updates on assembly points, bag drop arrangements, and spectator guidance.
