It will be the biggest ever ABP Newport Marathon Festival with thousands of runners expected to descend to the city for a fun filled day of running activity.
More than 10,000 people have signed up to take part in the marathon, half marathon, 10K and junior races, which will return to the city of Newport on Sunday 19 April.
The running festival will be kicking off on the Saturday with the return of Welsh Athletics’ women’s running conference in the University of South Wales, followed by the event’s first ever pasta party at Newport Market – a ticketed event allowing participants to carb load and get answers to all their last-minute race day questions. The races will then commence on the Sunday, starting and finishing on Usk Way, alongside a buzzing event village next to the river.
Matt Newman, Chief Executive at event organisers Run 4 Wales, said: “We’re excited to be back in Newport with the ABP Newport Marathon Festival, bringing a variety of running distances to the city for a wide range of ages and abilities to get involved in. We can’t wait to welcome all our runners to the start line as well as all the incredible spectators who come out to cheer them on.
“We’d like to say a huge thanks to the support of Associate British Ports and Newport City Council, Lead Charity Mind in Gwent, as well as our other partners and sponsors, and of course our army of Extra Milers volunteers, whom without this event just wouldn’t be possible.”
All courses have been devised by Run 4 Wales Race Director and double Olympic marathoner, Steve Brace. Over 70% of all finishers have claimed a PB on the marathon course which is famed for being flat and fast and named in a list of ’10 fastest marathons in the world’ by Runners World.
When are the races?
The event takes place on Sunday 19 April. The Marathon and Half Marathon will start at 09:00 and the 10K at 09:45. The Future Challengers race will start at 12:00, the Toddler Dash at 12:15 and the Family Fun Run at 12:45.
Where is it happening?
All races will start on Usk Way in Newport opposite the Lidl carpark. The event village is situated on the river front in front of the University of South Wales building (opposite the Friars Walk Shopping Centre).
Can I still enter?
Registration for the marathon, half marathon and 10K races is now closed. Junior race entries close on Sunday 12 April at midnight. No on-the-day entries will be available.
Where does the marathon race go?
The route for the ABP Newport Marathon was devised by double Olympic marathon runner Steve Brace and is one of Europe’s flattest marathon races.
It starts and finishes on Newport’s vibrant riverfront and will take in a loop of the city centre – taking in the iconic Newport Market, Victorian High Street and historic Newport Castle. Upon leaving the city centre, the marathon course will also include a loop of Newport’s International Sports Village, which is home to the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome, Newport Stadium and Dragan Park and will include a lap of the athletics track.
The marathon course enjoys the stunning natural scenery and flat roads of the Gwent Levels, but no longer stretches as far east as Monmouthshire after the course was changed in 2024. Instead, it turns around in the medieval village of Redwick after a loop of the Newport Wetlands and Goldcliff areas.
The latter stages of the marathon features an additional lap of the picturesque Wetlands area around Goldcliff.
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.
You can see a map of the route here.
Where does the half marathon race go?
The half marathon was a new addition to the event in 2024, expanding it into an exciting festival of running with multiple distance options.
Its flat and fast course offers iconic landmarks, including the city’s Transporter Bridge, Victorian shopping streets, iconic market, historic castle, modern riverfront and International Sports Village as well as the stunning natural scenery and coastal wildlife of the nearby Gwent Levels.
The race will start and finish in the heart of the city on Usk Way, kick-starting with a loop of the city centre.
Like the marathoners, half marathon runners will take in a loop of Newport’s International Sports Village and athletics track. They’ll then approach the halfway point whilst completing a loop of the picturesque Newport Wetlands area around the village of Goldcliff.
They’ll complete their 13.1-mile journey whilst enjoying views of the historic Transporter Bridge ahead of a sprint finish back to the city-centre along Usk Way.
You can see a map of the route here.
Where does the 10K race go?
The race will start and finish in the heart of the city on Usk Way, and like the other two distances, will start with a loop of the city centre and a loop of Newport’s International Sports Village. The race will conclude with views of the historic Transporter Bridge ahead of a sprint finish back to the city-centre along Usk Way.
It adds an exciting extra dimension to the ABP Newport Marathon Festival, giving runners of all abilities the chance to be a part of one of Wales’ largest weekends of running – without having to complete the challenging marathon distance.
You can see a map of the route here.
Is it possible to run the wrong way?
The courses are fully marked and well marshalled so it is unlikely runners will go the wrong way, although we do ask that they familiarise themselves with the route of their chosen distance.
There are also a number of safety and security measures in place throughout the event and around the course. We work closely with Gwent police and other organisations to ensure the safety and security of all participants. More information can be found here.
A medical team will also be on hand to help keep participants safe while they run. More information about how to stay safe while running can be found here.
What is the best way to travel to the race?
Competitors are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and be aware that some road closures will be in place on the morning of the race.
There will be thousands of people travelling to Newport over the race weekend, so please allow plenty of time to arrive in time for the start of your race and plan your travel and parking beforehand. We encourage sustainable transport where possible and there will be a free bike park available to runners and spectators in the Friars Walk Shopping Centre Car Park.
An official Park & Ride service for the race will be in operation, at the Celtic Manor and the Office of National Statistics. These are only available to those who have pre-booked a space. Other car parks are available in the city-centre however parking will not be available in Emlyn Street, Riverfront or Friars Walk car parks due to the event.
It is recommended that those taking part in the marathon and half marathon are parked by 7.30am and by 8am for the 10K. This will ensure you have plenty of time to get across to the start area by bus, use the bag drop and into your starting pen.
For travel and parking advice click here.
Will there be road closures in place?
Some road closures will be in operation to facilitate the safe passage of participants. A list of road closures and map to help plan your journey can be found here.
Is there an elite race?
Welsh 10km Record Holder Clara Evans-Graham (31:18) will head the fields for the ABP Newport 10K. Run 4 Wales regular Kadar Omar (28:28) heads the men’s field, joined by Ronald Schröer (29:17) of the Netherlands and Swansea Harrier Dafydd Jones (29:18).
Megan Davies (75:37) and Daniel Hamilton (65:49) lead the Half Marathon entries with Samantha Antell (2:44:21) and North Walian Tomos Roberts (2:20:54) fastest over the Marathon distance.
A full elite preview will be available online ahead of the race.
Are there any inspiring runner stories?
Neil Johnson, a farmer from Caerphilly, will be attempting to break a Guinness World Record for being the fastest person to run a half marathon in a pair of wellies. He is also taking on the challenge to raise money for the Farm Community Network.
A teen from Builth Wells will be taking on the ABP Newport 10K as part of her brain tumour recovery. Erin Coyle, 17, says this will be the furthest she has run in over a year since she was diagnosed with the condition, and it will be her first race post-treatment.
A father-of-three from Stroud will be taking on the ABP Newport Marathon just two years after having open heart surgery. Gareth Ponsford, 45, said it will be his first road marathon and he’s looking forward to seeing what he’s capable of as he continues to get his fitness back post-op.
Will there be atmosphere around the route?
There will also be a number of course entertainment stations offering musical encouragement to participants, at various points along the route:
- Bridge Corner – Tune Trucks
- Nash Road– Tune Trucks
- Corporation Road – The Welsh Wedding Bagpiper, Matthew Bartlett
- Usk Way – Rock Choir
- Newport Live Regional Pool & Tennis Centre – Mind in Gwent Choir
- North Row – Wonderbrass
What will be at the event village?
The event village will be host to a number of sponsors, exhibitors offering interactive entertainment and giveaways, as well as a variety of food and drink vendors.
Mind in Gwent will be providing a calm zone supported by ABP and Newport City Council. This will be a neuroinclusive space for runners, supporters and their families available to use before, during and after the race.
ABP will also be hosting a ‘Captain’s Call Wall’ for runners and supporters to write messages of support to one another. Some of these will be read out by the commentator during the race.
While the races take place on Sunday, the weekend’s festivities kick off on the Saturday with the return of Welsh Athletics’ Women’s Running Conference. The inspiring and engaging event will explore specific female health topics related to running and there will be an interactive guest panel, including endurance athlete and broadcaster Lowri Morgan and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson where attendees can ask questions. Tickets can be purchased here.
For the first time, there will also be a pasta party offering runners the perfect chance to fuel up, relax and soak up the pre-race atmosphere alongside fellow participants. It also includes a special pre-race talk and Q&A with Coopah coach and international athlete James Thie. Tickets can be purchased here.
A full list of what will be happening at the event village can be found here.
Will money be raised for charity?
Charity fundraising is important to the event. This year’s lead charity is Mind in Gwent who are raising awareness of mental health and providing support to those who need it. Cancer Research Wales, 2Wish, Kids Cancer Charity, Great Oaks Hospice, St David’s Adoption Service, Aneurin Bevan Health Charity, Megan’s Starr, Sparkle, Friends of Newport Dogs and Latch are also official charities for 2026 with runners fundraising for many other causes.
Who are the event partners?
The event would not be possible without the support of Associated British Ports (ABP) and Newport City Council. Other event partners include Friars Walk, the Office for National Statistics, Newport Live, Brecon Carreg, High5, Mon Motors, Monex Group and Coopah.
What will runners receive when they finish the race?
Every runner will receive a commemorative medal and event t-shirt upon finishing the race – unless they have selected to opt out of receiving a finishers t-shirt and donating to the Run 4 Wales Climate Action Fund.
This year the medal designs feature the iconic footbridge. The 10K medal also forms part of a matching set with the other 2026 events in the R4W 10K series – including the Barry Island 10K, Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K and CDF 10K.
This year’s finishers t-shirts have been designed by local artist George Goom.
Where’s best to watch?
The event village on Usk Way is the best place to catch a glimpse of runners at the beginning and end of their races. There is also the opportunity to spot loved ones more than once with runners passing the start line for a second time following a loop of the city centre.
The High street will allow a view of runners in the early stages of all three races, and the pub and beer garden in Blaina Wharf allows spectators to spot marathon and half runners at mile 1 and 25/12, and see 10K runners at 1-2K and 8-9K points.
Marathon runners will also head towards Redwick on two occasions. The area of North Row will be accessible by foot and spectators may catch a glimpse of their loved ones at the course turnaround point.
A number of road closures will be in place to facilitate the event, so make sure to plan ahead.
Can you track runners around the race?
The Run 4 Wales App on iOS and Android can be used to inspect the route pre-race and live track participants on the day with full Google maps functionality.
Find out more or download the app here.
Race Day Guide
A full lowdown of all the important event information can be found here.