The first ABP Newport Wales Marathon will bring a brand new running experience to Wales on 29 April, 2018.

The much anticipated race will take place in the spring of next year to satisfy the demand for an annual 26.2 mile mass-participation event in Wales.

The late April date falls in the ideal window for marathon running in the UK and provides the perfect opportunity for the 210,000 runners who will miss out on entry to the London Marathon to run a world-class course.

Associated British Ports have paved the way for another global sporting event to arrive in Wales after pledging its support as Title Partner. The UK’s leading port operator has signed-up with the aim of enhancing their local community engagement through grass-roots sport.

Matthew Kennerley, Director, ABP South Wales said: “We are delighted to be playing such a pivotal role in what is set to be a major event for Wales, the city of Newport, and the sporting world. At its core, the ABP Newport Wales Marathon will work to bring together communities from across Wales in an exciting way and we are thrilled to be supporting this brand new flagship event for Wales.”

The ABP Newport Wales Marathon will provide a flagship event for Newport City Council’s emerging portfolio and will support their city centre regeneration programme.

The route, drawn up by double Olympic marathon runner Steve Brace, will start and finish in the Newport Business Improvement District and will provide a high-profile opportunity for locals and visitors alike to experience the revamped city centre.

It will also allow competitors to run quicker than ever on a flat, fast course that will take-in a host of iconic landmarks along the way. Runners can book their place on the start line when entries open on October 5.

Newport is no stranger to welcoming the world class events. The city was the site of one of the largest global sporting events ever staged in Wales, when the Celtic Manor played host to a European Ryder Cup victory in 2010.

World leaders arrived for the NATO summit four years later during an exciting regeneration project to help establish the city as a modern, vibrant hub for industry and sport.

Welsh Government and Newport City Council are backing the project as strategic partners to bring the much anticipated mass-participation marathon to South Wales.

Councillor Debbie Wilcox, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “As you would expect from a Welsh city, we are passionate about sport and we are very excited to be hosting the ABP Newport Wales Marathon.

“By expanding our events programme we hope to raise the profile of the city and attract more visitors and investment. I look forward to welcoming top runners to Newport and know that many of our local athletes will also relish the opportunity to pound the streets of their home city.”

The event will be delivered by Run 4 Wales, the team behind the Cardiff Half Marathon and VELOTHON Wales. As a not-for-profit organisation, Run 4 Wales aims to help create a more healthy and active nation through mass-participation events.

But there will be more to the ABP Newport Wales Marathon than a 26 mile race. The Festival of Running will showcase what the city has to offer and give charity fundraisers the perfect platform to raise funds for good causes.

Run 4 Wales Chief Executive, Matt Newman said: “We are delighted to launch the ABP Newport Wales Marathon and look forward to establishing this event as the premier marathon for Wales.

“The delivery of the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2016 provided an opportunity for Run 4 Wales to become a world-class event organiser and we have been looking for the right opportunity to launch a full marathon.

“The partnership with Newport City Council and the Welsh Government is an exciting development and we are looking forward to delivering an unforgettable event in 2018.”

Entries will go on sale on Thursday 5th October, with an early bird entry offer available for the first runners to sign up. You can register for updates, and to receive a notification when registration opens at: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/i/872ED84CB5FF0DD6