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- Natasha Wilson And Dan Nash Crowned Welsh Champions As Yismaw Dillu And Miriam Chebet Shine In Cardiff Half Marathon
While Dillu and Chebet stole international headlines, it was Pontypridd Roadents runner Nash and Wilson who led the home charge, both earning the national titles in testing, blustery conditions through the Welsh capital.
Nash finished in 1:04:28 to secure the men’s Welsh crown after clubmate Jake Smith had crossed the line as the fastest Brit overall in 1:02:49.
Wilson, competing just weeks after a bout of Covid, battled through to finish eighth among the elite women in 1:12:58 — reclaiming the Welsh title she first won last year.
Wilson said: “I really didn’t want to miss Cardiff this year, I’ve had Covid recently so I just wanted to get to the start line as I haven’t trained.
“This was my first hard workout, but the support on the course was incredible, especially the start and finish so I’m so glad I made it.”
Nash said: “It was great – it’s such a good race and such a good atmosphere.
“I live 20 minutes away so there was brilliant support for me out on the course. It was really good but really hard too with the headwind in the Bay.
“It’s very rare that you can come to a race so close to home and race the world’s best on a fantastic course.”
Yismaw Dillu smashed the men’s Oysho Cardiff Half Marathon course record.
The 29,000-strong field once again underlined the Cardiff Half’s status as one of Europe’s premier distance races — and for Wilson and Nash, the pride of flying the Welsh flag on home soil made it all the more special.
At the sharp end of the field, Dillu delivered a sensational debut display to break the men’s course record.
The 20-year-old Ethiopian powered home in 59:22, slicing seven seconds off Leonard Langat’s 2019 mark and becoming the first man to dip under 59:30 on the streets of Cardiff.
“It was my first time running the half marathon so I am very very happy to win the race and set a new record,” said Dillu.
“It was very windy but I felt strong and I am so pleased to win.”
Kenya’s Ismael Kiprono (1:00:04) and Ethiopia’s Fikadu Liche (1:00:33) completed the men’s podium after an early three-way battle through Cardiff Bay.
In the women’s race, defending champion Miriam Chebet once again proved untouchable.
The Kenyan star, who also won gold at the Istanbul Half Marathon earlier this year, stormed to victory in 1:06:36 — five seconds faster than her 2024 winning time.
“I was ready for this race, especially after I won last year, I wanted to win again,” said Chebet.
“After 8K I felt the strain and the wind was really strong at that point, but I did my best and I am so happy to come back and win for the second time.
“There was lots of support on the roads and the crowds really helped me push through to the end.”
Chebet crossed the line 56 seconds ahead of Ethiopians Alem Nigus (1:07:33) and Wudinesh Alimu (1:08:08), with former world record holder Florence Kiplagat finishing 10th in her first elite race for two years.
The wheelchair competitors were the first to roll out from Cardiff Castle, where Callum Hall repeated his 2024 victory in dominant fashion, taking more than a minute off last year’s time to win in 53:46 ahead of Sam Kolek (57:28) and Josh Hickingbottom (59:07).
Women
- Miriam Chebet – 1:06:36
- Alem Nigus – 1:07:32
- Wudinesh Alemu – 1:08:07
- Esther Chemtai – 1:08:08
- Misgane Alemayehu – 1:09:35
Men
- Yismaw Dillu – 59:22
- Ismael Kiprono – 1:00:04
- Fikadu Liche – 1:00:33
- Benard Murkomen – 1:00:47
- Stephen Kimutai – 1:01:31
Wheelchair
- Callum Hall – 53:46
- Sam Kolek – 57:28
- Josh Hickinbottom – 59:07
- Tiaan Bosch – 1:01:27
- Owain Terrell – 1:07:12
