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I was wondering why it's so quiet on here? but then it dawned on me that this forum almost certainly attracts a lot of athletic types who are obviously pre-occupied with todays race!!

Anyway todays the day - and the weather isn't playing the game! quelle surprise Still the eyes of the world (the marathon running one at least) are on us today so lets hope this event is a fantastic success and shows our city off in a great light - even if it is a bit of a dull day! ok better start my warm up

In Canton it started raining at almost exactly 1:30 pm. Nice for the runners but not the specators

The weather conditions were absolutely horrific when I hit the barrage, once I'd got over the hailstones it was so windy I physically couldn't run. And then spent the rest of the race absolutely drenched and freezing.

All in all in it was well organised and it was great to have such an event in Cardiff. Although I do have a few slight niggles...
Having to go to the motor point where there is no parking was a bit of a pain to get the race pack, although I understood why they did it.
Compared to the normal half marathon, the support from the spectators seemed to be lacking. I don't know if this was because of the weather, or maybe I expected a much bigger turnout, but I was really disappointed. Even at the finish line there were so many empty spaces. In the state I was in I really needed that push.
I also don't know why they put it on so late in the day, perhaps tv coverage?

Yes Gail, it was indeed a killer weather-wise on the Barrage - a veritable Biblical vortex of hail , cross winds and probably a few locusts if I could actually see through the conditions. That must have really taken the wind of many peoples sails (all the puns intended). I was as cold as an igloo by the end of the race. It was quite a test of endurance.

I personally would also have preferred an earlier start around 11 ish. 2 seemed a but of an odd time to be honest and it turned out to be an unfortunate coincidence that that was when the storms came in! I couldn't see any snacks at the end other than a banana did I miss them?

There were bananas and energy gels and the race pack included the standard packet of crackers / crisps. Why you need an energy gel at the end is beyond me. Again compared to the normal half the race pack was lacking, there is usually a cereal / protein bar and a cooling pack for the aching muscles. Thinking about it, I didn't see any energy drinks being handed out at the water stations either. For double the price, it really didn't deliver.

I've just read that Cardiff university are taking over the sponsorship of the October half. I don't know how that will effect the snacks. The thought of that cereal bar gets me through the last mile!