The route for the ABP Newport Marathon was devised by double Olympic marathon runner Steve Brace. It offers iconic landmarks, including the city’s Transporter Bridge, historic city centre, modern riverfront and International Sports Village as well as the stunning natural scenery and coastal wildlife of the nearby Gwent Levels.
It boasts one of the flattest marathon courses around – ideal for first timers or those looking for a fast time. This has translated into a lot of good performances, with 70% of finishers in the race’s history claiming a PB.
A refreshed course has been announced for 2024 – taking in similar highlights as in previous years but with adjustments to improve atmosphere and event experience, whilst providing additional opportunities for spectators and the local community to engage with Wales’ largest marathon.
The races will continue to start and finish on Newport’s vibrant riverfront, but runners will now kick-start their marathon journey with a new city centre loop, taking in the historic Commercial Street – including many listed buildings dating from the Victorian period.
The new city-centre loop, start and finish lines on Usk Way will be buzzing with spectators, providing a welcome boost to runners at the beginning and end of the race.
Upon leaving the city centre, the marathon course will also now include a loop of Newport’s International Sports Village, which is home to the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome, Newport Stadium and Dragon Park – and even feature a part-lap of the athletics track.
The marathon course will still enjoy the stunning natural scenery and pancake flat roads of the Gwent Levels, but will no longer stretch as far east as Monmouthshire, instead turning around in the medieval village of Redwick after a loop of the International Sports Village and Newport Wetlands and Goldcliff areas.
The latter stages of the marathon will feature an additional lap of the picturesque Wetlands area around Goldcliff. The change replaces the quieter and more rural sections of the original course, creating a busier and more vibrant section of the race that sees runners enjoy a carnival atmosphere as they pass a new course entertainment zone twice.
Runners will still enjoy views of the city’s historic Transporter Bridge in the final stretch of their 26.2 mile journey, ahead of a sprint finish down Usk Way – but without the out-and-back section of the course on Stephenson Street which featured on the original route.
The ABP Newport Marathon has been measured by a AUKCM Grade 1/IAAF/AIMS Grade B Course Measurer and your finish time result will count towards any good for age or qualifying time criteria.
WATER & ENERGY STATIONS
Learn more about the water and energy stations that will available around the marathon route here.
MARATHON ELEVATION
The ABP Newport Marathon boasts a flat and fast route, and has even been named in a list of ‘10 of the fastest marathons in the world‘ by Runners World. An elevation map can be seen below.
Please note that the map representation on Strava is an estimate and the course has been measured by a AUKCM Grade 1/IAAF/AIMS Grade B Course Measurer