2027 Newport Wales Marathon - Apr 18 Countdown

Q: How flat is the Newport Wales Marathon?

Extremely flat — the route has only about 26m (85ft) of total elevation gain across the full 26.2 miles, which is why it is described as one of Europe's flattest and fastest marathons. There are no real hills to break your rhythm. See the layout on our elevation profile tool.

Q: What is the Newport Marathon route?

The course starts and finishes on Newport's lively riverfront along Usk Way. It passes the historic city centre and the iconic steel Transporter Bridge, then heads out along the River Usk and the open scenery and coastal wildlife of the nearby Gwent Levels before returning to the riverside finish. The route was devised by double Olympic marathoner Steve Brace.

Q: What is the start time and the cutoff?

The marathon starts at 09:00 BST from the Newport riverfront (the half marathon starts alongside it; the 10K follows at 09:45). The course cutoff is 6 hours, roughly a 13:44 min/mile (8:32 min/km) average. Check your target pace against our pace calculator.

Q: How do I enter the 2027 Newport Wales Marathon?

Newport uses open general entry rather than a ballot — places go on sale directly through the official site and the organiser Run 4 Wales while they last. As one of Wales's largest marathons it is popular and can sell out, so entering early is wise; charity places are also available.

Q: What is the weather usually like in April?

Mid-April in Newport is typically cool and breezy, around 7-12°C with a fair chance of light rain and a moderate breeze off the River Usk. These conditions actually suit fast times — cool and flat — but layer for the start and plan for the exposed estuary miles.

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Race Information

Race	2027 Newport Wales Marathon - Apr 18
City	Newport
Date	2027-04-18 at 09:00
Field Size	~4,000 runners
Time Limit	6 hours
Cutoff pace	8:32/km
Timezone	Europe/London
Official Site	Run 4 Wales
Registration	Register

Race Day Weather

Average Temperature	9.1°C / 48°F
Humidity	84%
Wind	21.2 km/h
Rain Chance	29%
Typical Conditions	Cool, breezy South Wales spring morning — typically 7-12°C at the 09:00 start, with a moderate breeze off the River Usk estuary and a fair chance of light rain.

What to Prepare: Dress for about 9°C plus wind chill off the water: a light long-sleeve and gloves for the start that you can shed early. The riverside and Gwent Levels miles are exposed, so plan for headwind. Check the forecast with our weather score tool.

Based on historical averages for race week. Use our Weather Score Calculator and What to Wear Guide for personalized advice.

Wind Impact on Race Day

Wind at 21.2 km/h can affect your marathon pace by 5-15 seconds per kilometer. Headwinds slow you down exponentially — a 20 km/h wind costs more than twice a 10 km/h wind.

Calculate your wind-adjusted pace →

Race-Week Climate

Based on 20 years of race-week weather (2005-2024), MERRA-2 reanalysis

	Cooler	Typical	Warmer
Temperature	6.6°C	9°C	11.8°C
Dew point	3.5°C	6.5°C	9.3°C

Wet-day chance: 29% Runnability: 70/100

Data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), NASA Langley Research Center

Course Profile

Course Type	Single loop along the River Usk and Gwent Levels
Elevation Gain	26m
Terrain	Road
Profile	Exceptionally flat and fast — only about 26m of total elevation gain across 26.2 miles, one of the flattest marathon courses in Europe.
Boston Qualifier	Yes — Check your BQ time

Prepare for 2027 Newport Wales Marathon - Apr 18

Use our free training tools to get race-ready:

Running Pace Calculator — Min/km, Finish Time & Pace Chart

Free running pace calculator for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. Get min/km or min/mile, your ...

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Free Pace Band Generator — Printable Race Day Wristband

Free printable pace band for marathon, half marathon, or custom distance. Choose even, negative, or ...

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Marathon Wake-Up Time Calculator — Race Morning Timeline

7 AM race, wake at 3:45 AM? Enter the gun time; we work backward through meal, gear, bathroom, warm-...

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Dew Point Running Calculator — Pace Adjustment Chart

Enter temperature and humidity to calculate dew point and its impact on your running pace. 7-zone ch...

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Wind Effect on Running — How Much Does Wind Slow You?

How much does a headwind actually slow you down? This free calculator turns wind speed and direction...

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Marathon Predictor — 5K, 10K & Half Marathon Race Predictor

Free marathon predictor — convert your 5K, 10K, or half marathon time into race-day estimates from R...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Newport a good marathon for a PB?

Yes — Newport is one of the best PB marathons in Britain. The course is one of Europe's flattest, and the organiser reports that nearly 70% of finishers set a personal best. The flat, fast riverside profile makes it a strong target for a London Good for Age (GFA) time. Plan your splits with our pace calculator.

How flat is the Newport Wales Marathon?

Extremely flat — the route has only about 26m (85ft) of total elevation gain across the full 26.2 miles, which is why it is described as one of Europe's flattest and fastest marathons. There are no real hills to break your rhythm. See the layout on our elevation profile tool.

What is the Newport Marathon route?

The course starts and finishes on Newport's lively riverfront along Usk Way. It passes the historic city centre and the iconic steel Transporter Bridge, then heads out along the River Usk and the open scenery and coastal wildlife of the nearby Gwent Levels before returning to the riverside finish. The route was devised by double Olympic marathoner Steve Brace.

What is the start time and the cutoff?

The marathon starts at 09:00 BST from the Newport riverfront (the half marathon starts alongside it; the 10K follows at 09:45). The course cutoff is 6 hours, roughly a 13:44 min/mile (8:32 min/km) average. Check your target pace against our pace calculator.

How do I enter the 2027 Newport Wales Marathon?

Newport uses open general entry rather than a ballot — places go on sale directly through the official site and the organiser Run 4 Wales while they last. As one of Wales's largest marathons it is popular and can sell out, so entering early is wise; charity places are also available.

Is there a Good for Age or qualifying standard?

No qualifying time is required to enter Newport — it is open to all abilities (no Boston Qualifier needed). As a flat, certified road course it is well suited to running a time toward London's Good for Age (GFA) standards. Check whether your goal time qualifies with our Good for Age tool.

What is the weather usually like in April?

Mid-April in Newport is typically cool and breezy, around 7-12°C with a fair chance of light rain and a moderate breeze off the River Usk. These conditions actually suit fast times — cool and flat — but layer for the start and plan for the exposed estuary miles.

How do I get to Newport?

Newport is very accessible: it sits on the main South Wales rail line with direct trains, and is only about 12 miles from Cardiff and roughly 25 miles from Bristol across the Severn. Cardiff and Bristol Airports are both within easy reach, making it a convenient flat-course target for travelling runners.