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Who can forget the wonderful sight of Cardiff basking in the sunshine as supporters cheered on the thousands of runners taking in last year’s half marathon?

The 2012 race attracted a record 18,000 entries, but organisers of this year’s race are planning to recreate the scenes, only this time making it even bigger and even better.

At the official launch it was announced that this year’s race, to be held on Sunday, October 6, will use the same course as last year, which proved popular and a success with runners.

The size of last year’s race established the event as the second largest half marathon in the UK and the success of the course is already driving up registrations in 2013.

And to add to all the excitement, this year the race will encompass the British Half Marathon Championships and will form part of the Run Britain Grand Prix Series for the first time.

The annual British Championship attracts an elite field of runners competing for the national title.

The whole weekend promises to be a family affair with a family fun run on the day before and festival activities around the civic centre on both days.

The route guides participants on a whistle-stop tour of Cardiff’s most iconic landmarks.

From the start outside the front of Cardiff Castle in the heart of the city the route heads past Cardiff City Stadium on the way to Penarth. Runners take in Penarth Marina before crossing Cardiff Barrage and then sweep through Cardiff Bay, passing the Senedd building and Wales Millennium Centre as they run through Roald Dahl Plass.

The race then heads north and past Roath Path before runners complete a lap of Roath Park Lake. The course then heads towards the grandstand finish in Cardiff’s Civic Centre.

More than 40,000 spectators packed the route last year and 2013 will see a drive to increase the music and atmosphere around the course with additional cheering stations planned.

One of the runners taking part this year is Kevin Lawrence, who works for the race’s charity partner Barnardo’s.

The 54-year-old got the running bug after being ‘bullied’ by work colleagues to run the race four years ago.

“I had never done any running before, but some of the people I worked with were doing it and pretty much bullied me into doing,” says Kevin, who is children services manager for Barnardo’s at Ely Families Services.

“I was nervous beforehand, but loved it and really got the running bug. I was totally unprepared for it first time round, but by last year I had got it sorted and started training early in time for the race.

“I like running with friends, so it is me encouraging work colleagues to take part this year. It is a great cause and there is always a great atmosphere on the run.”

Race organisers Run 4 Wales have also signed up Lloyds TSB as race partners for the fourth year.

Huw Morgan, regional director of Lloyds TSB in Wales, said: “We have seen first hand the positive impact that sport has on communities, bringing people of all ages and abilities together to get fit and active, raise money for a good cause and celebrate the positive stories of runners from within their communities, and we are proud to continue to support the race and everyone involved.”

Run 4 Wales chairman Nigel Roberts, said: “In regard to the British Championship announcement, this is a huge feather in the cap for Cardiff.

“It has been our ambition not only to grow the race but increase the profile of the elite field and the Championships will be a step on the ladder to our aim of bringing the World Half Marathon Championships to Cardiff in 2016.”

To register for the race, visit www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk.

Last year's success

Runners in last year’s half marathon set records on and off the course and organisers are looking to go one better in 2013.

More than £2.2m was raised for charity in last year’s event, raising vital money for more than 800 good causes.

With entries on course to surpass the 18,000 figure set in 2012 the organisers are hoping even more can be raised this time around.

“It was a great feeling to announce a record figure in 2012 but we don’t want it to stop there,” said race director Steve Brace.

“With race entries up and the profile of the event increasing we are hoping runners this year can raise even more funds for such vital and worthy causes.”

Keri Wyatt, event manager for Barnardo’s, the charity partner of the half marathon, said: “It was a real privilege to be the charity partner of this incredible half marathon.

“Barnardo’s had over 1,400 runners and crowds cheering on the sea of runners as they pounded the pavements of Cardiff to raise vital funds for Barnardo’s. That was amazing.

“The Barnardo’s Cardiff Half Marathon team raised a phenomenal £100,000 for Barnardo’s.”

Last year's race in numbers