Newport Marathon

Newport Marathon
DateApril
LocationNewport, Wales
Event typeRoad
DistanceMarathon Half Marathon 10K, Junior Race
Primary sponsorAssociated British Ports
Established2018
Course records
Marathon
Men: 2:19:46 (Dan Nash, 2023)
Women: 02:38:31 (Melissah Gibson, 2025)
Half Marathon
Men: 01:07:15 (Ronnie Richmond, 2024)
Women: 01:11:17 (Natasha Wilson, 2026)
10K
Men: 00:28:35 (Omar Ahmed, 2023)
Women: 00:32:55 (Beth Kidger, 2025)
Official siteABP Newport Marathon Festival
Newport Marathon
City of Newportand (inset) within Wales
City of Newport
and (inset) within Wales

The ABP Newport Marathon Festival (Welsh: Gwyl Marathon Casnewydd ABP) is a thrilling festival of running offering marathon, half marathon, 10K and mile race options in the Welsh city of Newport, Wales. The event was established in 2018,[1] by national race organisers Run 4 Wales (R4W) and is held in April.

Background

The event's title sponsor is Associated British Ports (ABP), the operator of South Wales' ports including Newport Docks. Since its first race in 2018 popularity continues to grow year on year. Originally featuring a marathon and 10K distance, the ABP Newport Marathon Festival was expanded into a full festival of running with the addition of a half marathon distance in 2024, allowing something for all ages and abilities to get involved in.

The course is known as particularly flat and fast and boasts one of the flattest marathon courses in Europe - with nearly 70% of finishers claiming a PB, it has also been included in a round up of the fastest marathons in the world, as published in Runners World. It was designed by Run 4 Wales Race Director and Welsh Olympian Steve Brace.[2]

In previous years a Women's Running Conference, organised in conjunction with Welsh Athletics, and a pre-race Pasta Party have also been held the day before, expanding the festivities into a two-day event.

Route

Devised by double Olympic marathon runner, Steve Brace, the marathon, half marathon and 10K routes take in Newport's iconic landmarks, including the city's historic castle, Victorian Market, Transporter Bridge, modern riverfront and International Sports Village. The marathon and half marathon distances also take in the stunning scenery of the Gwent Levels.

The Marathon route boasts one of the flattest marathon courses around and is perfect for first timers or those looking to secure a personal best time. It starts and finishes on Newport's vibrant riverfront, taking in a loop of the city centre before heading to the International Sports Village - home to the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome. The course no longer stretches as far east as Monmouthshire as it did prior to 2024, instead it now turns around at the medieval village of Redwick and then heads past the Newport wetlands and Goldcliff areas.

The Half Marathon was introduced to the ABP Newport Marathon Festival in 2024. The race starts alongside the marathon distance on Usk Way and also takes runners on a loop of the city centre and International Sports Village. Runners will then approach the halfway point while completing a loop of the Newport wetlands area before finishing the race back in the city centre.

The 10K race starts slightly later than the marathon and half marathon distances and also begins on Usk Way. Like the other two distances, the 10K race takes in a city-centre loop before heading to the International Sports Village before runners then head back to Usk Way to the finish line.

Organisation

Sponsors include Associated British Ports (ABP), Mind in Gwent, High5, Brecon Carreg, the Office for National Statistics, Newport City Council, Mon Motors, Cancer Research Wales, Monex Group, Coopah, Newport Live and the city retail centre Friars Walk.[3]

Event history

2024 event

The event rebranded to the ABP Newport Marathon Festival and a new half marathon distance was introduced. Changes to the marathon and 10K distances were also made.[4]

2020 event

There was no marathon in 2020. Entries for that year were deferred to next year.

2019 event

It was announced in May 2018 that the event would return,[5] with the 2019 marathon and 10K would take place for the second time on 5 May 2019. Tata Steel were announced as a new sponsor[6] and the Family Mile would also resume in 2019.[7] Entry was priced at an early rate of £45, and £40 for Welsh Athletics affiliated runners.

2018 result

Marathon

The inaugural ABP Newport Marathon took place on 29 April 2018.

The winner was Neath Harriers' James Carpenter with a time of 2:33:31. The fastest female was Natasha Cockram of Mickey Morris Racing Team with a time of 2:44:58.[8]

The marathon saw a wide range of participants, from one of the oldest runners, 80 year old Sydney Wheeler of Chepstow Harriers,[9] to former boxer Matthew Edmonds.[10] A separate Family Mile also took place.

10K

Cardiff AAC's Ieuan Thomas won the 10K with a time of 00:29:43, and Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers' Rachel Felton was the fastest female with a time of 00:35:03.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Thousands run in city's new marathon". 2018-04-29. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  2. ↑ "Course". ABP Newport Wales Marathon & 10K. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  3. ↑ "Partners". ABP Newport Wales Marathon & 10K. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  4. ↑ "It's all new for Newport". ABP Newport Marathon Festival. 2024-03-14. Retrieved 2026-05-21.
  5. ↑ Bevan, Nathan (2018-05-04). "Newport Marathon will return to the city in 2019". walesonline. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  6. ↑ "Steel firm hopes to inspire next generation of runners". South Wales Argus. 12 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  7. ↑ "What's On: Family fun run in city centre ahead of Admiral Half Marathon". South Wales Argus. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  8. ↑ "Event results -2018 ABP Newport Wales Marathon - TDL Event Services". www.tdleventservices.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  9. ↑ "Newport Marathon: 'I was inspired to start running after the first London marathon in 1981,' says Sunday's oldest runner - who is 80". South Wales Argus. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  10. ↑ "Newport Marathon: City's first marathon is an 'overwhelming success'". South Wales Argus. 29 April 2018. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
  11. ↑ "Event results -2018 ABP Newport Wales 10K - TDL Event Services". www.tdleventservices.co.uk. Retrieved 2019-03-03.
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