CARDIFF & VALE HEALTH CHARITY HIGHLIGHTS 6-7 OCTOBER 2018 OVERVIEW

The 2018 University/Cardiff Half Marathon threw open the window to as top athletes from all corners of the Commonwealth created history alongside a bumper 15th birthday celebration.

Formed in 2003 and one of the UK’s biggest and best running events, the race hosted the inaugural Commonwealth Half Marathon Championships in a year that also marked the 15th anniversary of Wales’ largest mass participation event.

All 25,000 entries sold out in record time, six months ahead of race day. OVERVIEW

As well as the 15th anniversary of the race, 2018 marked 60 years since the British Empire and • 63 athletes represented 14 • A record year for fundraising, with • The race was once again awarded Commonwealth nations in the 33% of the field running for a number a Silver Road Race Label by the Commonwealth elite race including Kenya, Uganda, of good causes and in excess of £3 IAAF – the world’s governing body Australia, Mauritius, Botswana, million raised. for athletics, confirming its position Games were hosted Fiji, New Zealand, Wales, Scotland, as one of the world’s best half and Northern Ireland. • The race continues to be a major marathon’s. in Cardiff. sporting event in the Welsh calendar, • Australia’s Jack Rayner took the attracting tens of thousands of men’s Commonwealth title in 61:01, spectators and comprehensive live beating 2017 champion John Lotiang BBC television and radio coverage. of Kenya and showing his fast-finish to out-pace Uganda’s Fred Musobo. • The momentum from such a In the women’s race, Uganda’s Juliet successful weekend has created Chekwel took the title in 69:45 with unprecedented interest in the 2019 Australia’s Celia Sullohern runner-up event; with 7,500 entries sold in a big PB of 71:04. within 24 hours of launch. THE COMMONWEALTH HALF MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2018 race hosted the inaugural It attracted press coverage and some Commonwealth Half Marathon of the world’s top athletes from Championships – a new CGF sanctioned Commonwealth nations including event, which coincided with the 60th Kenya, Uganda, Australia, New Zealand, anniversary of the British Empire and Mauritius, Botswana, Fiji, New Zealand, Commonwealth Games coming to Cardiff. Wales, Scotland, England and N Ireland.

Jack Rayner of Uganda’s Juliet A welcome event for Uganda’ took Gold Australia took the men’s Chekwel took the athletes and team in both the male and Commonwealth title in women’s title in 69:45 officials was held at female team element 61:01 Cardiff University THE MASS RACE

Runners from across Wales, the UK and the world came together to follow in the footsteps of champions and participate – opting to run 13.1 miles for a whole variety of 46 reasons, be it a personal challenge, to raise % % % % money for a good cause or as an excuse for a 51 49 48 13 weekend visit to the Welsh . Male Female 46 celebrated a Ran Cardiff Half Were part of an birthday on race for the first time athletics club day

The race sold out in record time, with % % all 25,000 entries 78 22 33% 38 snapped up by April. In Wales Outside Wales 60% Consider running their Ran for a charity Average age primary activity THE GREAT AND THE GOOD • Fourteen entertainment points around the route provided musical encouragement with choirs, brass bands, rock groups and samba drummers bringing the noise.

• The packed-out Event Village hosted live entertainment, • Only Men Aloud, winners of TV’s Last Choir Standing sang street food, promotional stands and a range of sports the national anthem at the start. activities for the whole family across the entire weekend. • Merywen Gin were crowed the winners in the Corporate • Designed by new sportswear partner and global brand Challenge. 729 runners from 45 companies went head-to- HOKA ONE ONE, the finishers t-shirt was emblazoned head including GE, Principality, Olympus, Zurich, PwC and with the flags of competing Commonwealth nations. Airbus.

• Every finisher received a medal and goody bag at • Over 120 people attended Official Hospitality at the start the finish line. The medal design celebrated the and finish – it was attended by Welsh Government, Sport 15th anniversary of the race and featured the iconic Wales, sponsors, celebrities and famous sporting faces. Principality Stadium and Castle Bridge, which runners cross during the first mile of the race. • A PR campaign celebrated a number of ‘All-Timers’ who had ran all or nearly every race since 2003. Runner • A number of celebrities were involved – including Radio 1 Michael Harry, who has run every race and has all the DJ Scott Mills, Presenter Gabby Logan, Welsh Paralympian medals to prove it unveiled the design of the 2018 medal Oliva Breen, Actor Mark Lewis-Jones, Welsh Paralympian before being awarded a lifetime pass. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Presenter Lowri Morgan, Commentator Rob Walker, Welsh rugby’s JJ Williams and • A Training Run Series took place in the lead up, open to Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas – the Welsh Government Minister all and free to attend with four, six and eight-mile runs for Culture, Tourism and Sport. taking place in various locations across South Wales. THE RUNNERS VIEW

The fantastic event experience on offer is what makes the race so loved by the running community. Cardiff University researchers designed the post-event survey, which received over 4,800 responses.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive:

97% % % 93 99 % % % Rated the medal Would run Approved of the 86 95 99 as good or again route Rated course Thought the Gave a positive excellent entertainment as race was good rating of good or excellent value for money the overall experience

The Cardiff University School of Geography & Planning will be using survey findings to conduct research into the travel impact and sustainability of the race, and improve future planning. The Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon weekend is more than just 13.1 miles on a Sunday morning, kicking off with Saturday’s Festival of Running.

It offers something for everyone with a programme of events for all ages, with a focus on family and community. Thousands took part in events including…

Give- Wales’ aways Largest Mascot Family Toddler 3K Club Races Games Fun Run Dash Races SOCIAL IMPACT

Recycling & Sustainability Volunteering

A focus was placed upon recycling and sustainability by event Dubbed the “Extra Milers”, and coming organisers to improve recycling rates and reduce the event’s carbon from all sections of the community – an footprint. Water sponsor Brecon Carreg and Recycle 4 Wales once 800 strong team of volunteers were again lent their support with the collaborative ‘Run, Refuel, Recycle’ vital in the staging of the event. campaign. Pre-event instructions, on-course drop zones, improved signage, branded bins and recycling champion volunteers helped direct Many volunteers come back every people towards recycling bins with discarded items. year, and find it a great way to have fun, make friends, gain experience and enjoy the electric atmosphere of race day. A record 96% of waste thrown away at the event was recycled.

97% of runners said they recycled an item at the event or took rubbish home. SOCIAL IMPACT

Fundraising Economic Impact

The race, which is Wales’ largest single With 25,000 half marathon entrants day of fundraising appeals to runners and tens of thousands of spectators of all abilities; from top elite athletes attending events over the weekend, the to those attempting their very first half race continues to provide a significant marathon in support of a special cause. boost to the local economy.

The fundraising element has grown A Cardiff University research study significantly in recent years, with a record found that runners spent £2.5m 33% of 25,000 entrants running for during their visit to Wales for the event a good cause and in excess of £3 million in 2017, with similar numbers expected raised in 2018. in 2018. 6 south wales echo MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2018

@WalesOnline facebook.com/WalesOnline MONDAY, OCTOBER 8,2018 Cardiff Half Marathon 2018 MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2018 facebook.com/WalesOnline south wales echo 7 MEDIA REACH Cardiff Half Marathon 2018 Print Cardiff Half £2M • South Wales Echo – Front page news Marathon with 12-page souvenir pull out Advertising Online & Television 2018 Value • Regional press – Western Mail, South Event day coverage from… Wales Argus, South Wales Evening Post

• National press – , Metro, Sun, Express, Guardian SECURE YOUR SPACE FOR 2019 #RunTheDiff REGISTRATION FOR THIS SELL OUT RACE OPENS TOMORROW, WITH DISCOUNTED ENTRY AVAILABLE TO THE FIRST 5000 PRE-REGISTER NOW AND BE FIRST IN THE SUNDAY 06 OCTOBER Sign up at www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk QUEUE • Sporting press – Athletics Weekly, Fast Running

@athleticsweekly ACTION COMMONWEALTH HALF MARATHON CARDIFF, OCTOBER 7 • International press – elite

PICTURES: RUN 4 WALES Almost 20,000 runners took to the Cardiff streets Jack Rayner: a huge personal best secured him the Commonwealth title race coverage from across the Commonwealth

• Local media outlets across the UK

field ’ve ever raced in. I faced a yards to the marathon, so the Juliet Chekwel: victory few of them in the World Cross victor’s nationality provided a for the Ugandan Country Championships last very definite nod to history. year and they smashed me.” “I knew it would be tough after As well as producing the two looking at the start list because individual winners, the event was a lot of them had run 62, 61 a great success for Australian and even 60 minutes,” said and Ugandan runners in general. Rayner, who came very close to With Dejen Gebreselassie in the course record of 60:43 set Radio eighth, Nicolas Harman 12th last year by John Lotiang, the and Ed Goddard 15th, Australia Kenyan who had pushed the finished second to Uganda in pace but ultimately had to settle the men’s team event. for fourth this time around. England’s Mo Aaden led the “I knew I was in at the home nations contingent in deep end and I’d have to do seventh with a three-second THE LEADING MAN something special to win. I felt I PB of 62:31, while England’s could run a lot faster than my PB “MATINEE IDOL” RAYNER TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN CARDIFF AS AUSTRALIAN second finisher, 10th-placer Matt AND UGANDA’S JULIET CHEKWEL WIN INAUGURAL COMMONWEALTH TITLES and I did that. It is just amazing •  from BBC Radio Wales Clowes (63:27), took more than Live coverage victory, getting the better of and it makes the win even BC Wales’ most popular British events in have been a surprise winner to a minute off his previous best Uganda’s Fred Musobo to take better that this is the first time commentary the running calendar – almost some observers as he broke as he came home 31 seconds the win in a time which was two they’ve held the Commonwealth described the 20,000 runners took to the the tape in a huge personal best behind Welshman Dewi Griffiths minutes and 11 seconds faster Championships.” B streets of the Welsh capital this of 61:01 but the Australian has (62:56), who was making a moustachioed than the 63:12 he clocked in He added: “I’ve been and BBC Radio Cymru demonstrated his quality before, welcome return after the injury Jack Rayner as a “1920s time around – and the 2018 winning the Gold Coast Half unbeaten on the roads in edition also had the added first showing his talent on the problems which denied him the matinee idol” and the Australian Australia this year and, as this world stage last year when he Marathon back in April. chance to run for Wales at the certainly looked comfortable in dimension of that new title being surges to try to break us, but the “I knew I had a big kick in me This event was was my only race overseas at stake. out-kicked Olympic 1500m and I’ve always loved running Commonwealth Games earlier the role of leading man as he ran this year, I wanted to keep that Ugandans worked as a pack to champion Matt Centrowitz to commemorating the 60th this year. his way into the history books by Rayner stepped forward to make sure he didn’t get away. downhill, so I knew I’d have an anniversary of the British Empire streak going. I went through grasp the opportunity, while win the 5000m B race at the advantage in the closing It meant England narrowly winning the inaugural 10km in around 28:40 and I just did everything I could to Payton Jordan meet in the and Commonwealth Games, took the men’s team bronze Commonwealth Half Marathon Uganda’s Juliet Chekwel stick on the back of that pack stages. held in Cardiff in 1958. On that stayed on the leading pack as became the first women’s United States. “This is 100% the biggest win from Wales. Championships in Cardiff. long as I could. and use as little energy as He relied on a fast finish once occasion Australia won every “I’m pretty happy with my time The city’s half-marathon has champion. possible. of my career. It was the best men’s running title from 880 “Lotiang kept putting in little The 22-year-old Rayner may again when it came to his Cardiff • Coverage on FM and Capital established itself as one of the ATHLETICSWEEKLY 29

28 ATHLETICSWEEKLY

09/10/2018 03:22 09/10/2018 03:23 AW Oct 11 Cardiff Commonwealth 28-30.indd 3 AW Oct 11 Cardiff Commonwealth 28-30.indd 2 South Wales MEDIA REACH

Event Week Press Events

• Medal Reveal – All-timer Michael • England v Wales – Team Wales’ Harry showed off 15 years of Dewi Griffiths and England’s Matt Cardiff Half medals as he revealed Clowes went head to head in our the design for 2018. His interview Commonwealth Challenge at Cardiff featured on BBC Wales news. Castle.

• Economic Impact – Cardiff University • Race Director Interview – Double research into the economic impact Olympic Marathoner and Race of the race was covered on BBC Director Steve Brace previewed the Wales news, with interviews from Commonwealth Championships elite businesses throughout the city. race at Roath Lake.

• T-Shirt Reveal – Cardiff Blues • Commonwealth Welcome – athletes players Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee- from across the Commonwealth Lo unveiled the design of the 2018 were welcomed to Wales at an finishers t-shirt as new sportswear official function at Cardiff University, partner HOKA ONE ONE was attended by media and the BBC. announced. OFFLINE REACH

Advertising Publications Radio Campaigns Branding

Advertising in key UK cities In local, national and sports Radio campaigns on Capital Pop ups and banners, with focus around South publications – including FM, the official radio station stationary, and a branded Wales and the South West Runner’s World, Athletics of the event promotional car and presence at other races Weekly, Men & Women’s throughout the UK Running, South Wales Echo and the Western Mail ONLINE REACH – DIGITAL

Website Live Tracker Newsletters 400K The Cardiff Half website is an engaging The Run 4 Wales app allows runners From registration until race day, the 65K and informative online platform used by and spectators to engage with the Cardiff Half e-newsletter supports Unique visitors Active participants and spectators to gather event and its sponsors during the build- runners through their training journey per year subscribers race day information, training support, up, and track their loved ones around with engaging and value-adding content. advice and to explore sponsor content. the route on race day. Runners receive the latest event news and announcements, training hints and • 1 million+ page views a year • 69,838 unique visitors tips alongside sponsor adverts and offers.

• 400,000+ unique visitors a year • 3,366 people shared their results to • 65,000 active subscribers social media (subscribing at point of entry, via the • 43,475 unique visitors on race day website or other events) • 2,975 event branded result badges • 581,755 race day website hits downloaded • Monthly and special announcement newsletters • Users from 111 countries with a 25 (30 sent throughout the year) minute average visit • Average open rate of 36% • 8548 click through’s and 433,254 (12% above the industry average) impressions for sponsor adverts within app • Click through rate of 13% (9% higher than the industry average) ONLINE REACH – DIGITAL

• 27,553 likes • 15,300 followers • 4,426 followers • Official CHM Strava • 43 promotional, • Content pushed Club launched sponsor and event out via BBC Wales, • 16% increase • 7% increase on 2017 • 40% increase on during race week weekend videos Sport & News social on 2017 2017 shared throughout media accounts on • 866,000 • Attracted 1,884 the year Facebook & • 483,288 impressions during • 2250 likes and members within reach during race month a reach of 24,726 3 weeks of launch • 677,910 video • Images, video and race week across just 10 race views via good news stories • 56,700 profile month photos Facebook, Twitter, shared online to an visits in 28 days Vimeo and audience of over around event • 38% of followers YouTube 1.3 million via the in the 25-34 age BBC bracket TV COVERAGE 169K+ Viewers

In depth, two-and-a-half-hour live coverage was broadcast on BBC One Wales to an audience of 96,000 – a 26% audience share and 10% higher than network BBC. A highlights programme was broadcast on BBC Two Wales to an audience of 55,000.

More people than ever watched the race online, with over 18,000 catching up on the day’s events on the BBC iPlayer. The programme was available to stream worldwide allowing viewers in countries like Australia and Uganda to support their teams in the Commonwealth Championships. CARDIFF & VALE HEALTH CHARITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Associate Charity Partner to one of • Race vests and t-shirts featured in • Case studies shared on Cardiff Half the UK’s leading running events - BBC live broadcast and highlights Marathon website and via social with over 450 fundraisers running programme. media campaigns. to raise vital funds for the official charity of the Ccardiff & Vale • The story of Team Health Charity • Charity mascot ran in the mascot University Health Board. runner Kristian Speake attracted race during Saturday’s Festival of national press coverage. Running. • Fundraiser offer prominently featured on general entry and run for • Strong digital exposure - with • Chair of the Health Board Maria charity sections of website. logo incorporated into website, Battle, led a group of walkers e-newsletters and social media called “Maria’s Marvels” and Chief • Prominent branding across event campaigns. Executive Len Richards finished just weekend - seen on live BBC TV under 3 and a half hours. Director broadcast and highlights, official • Offline exposure - with advert in of Communications, Arts, Health highlights movie, press, social media, event brochure (distributed to all Charity and Engagement Joanne event photography and by runners 25,000 entrants), logo in spectator Brandon also ran in the race. and spectators. guide and adverts on event weekend big screens. • A feature length case study of Team Health Charity runner Roshan • Prominent position in Event Village Kahn was included in the live BBC - showcasing charity and providing broadcast. runner hospitality.

HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE

Set to the sounds of Welsh language group Swˆnami, the official highlights movie recaps an incredible day at the 2018 Cardiff University/Cardiff Half Marathon.

To date, it’s been viewed over 31,000 times online. Pod 1, Capital Retail Park, Cardiff CF11 8EG T: 029 2166 0790 F: 029 2166 0791 www.run4wales.org