MILOS marks the Cardiff Half Marathon with Stage Lighting Services

The annual Cardiff Half Marathon, held on Sunday 6^th October 2024, has grown into one of the largest and most exciting road races in the United Kingdom and Wales’ largest multi-charity fundraising event.
 
Organised by Run for Wales, this year’s race attracted over 27,000 registered runners who took to the flat, fast-paced course, which captured all the city’s iconic landmarks, including Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, Roath Park Lake, the National Museum of Wales and the stunning scenery of Cardiff Bay.
 


Stage Lighting Services have provided all the structural support and rigging at the Cardiff Half Marathon for over a decade. The onsite team led by Gareth Rodgers from SLS supplied the MILOS roof structures and truss that formed the construction of the main areas of the race circuit. This included the Event Village, Gantry Finish Line - which incorporated the construction of standing terraces and the stage at the Rainbow Roundabout located at the pivotal 10-mile mark before the all-important finish line.
 
The event has grown significantly since it was founded in 2003 and attracts first-time charity fundraisers alongside runners of all ages and abilities, with world-class athletes joining in a trio of fiercely contested men’s, women’s and wheelchair elite races. With participants descending from around the globe, 2024’s race was no exception in bringing together a diverse field of runners, each with a unique story and motivation to cross the finish line.  The 13.1-mile route through the heart of the Welsh capital is one of the most popular events in the half marathon calendar and celebrates community, endurance and the vibrant spirit of the city.
 
Race weekend kicked off with a series of events aimed at the marathon runners, families and visitors that descended on the dedicated runners’ village. The MILOS MR1 roof structure was erected by the team from Stage Lighting Services and located on the City Hall lawn, forming the vibrant hub of the main Event Village and ‘fan zone’ accommodating live bands, food outlets and charity representatives.  The MILOS MR1 Mini roof structure located at the Rainbow Roundabout also provided back-to-back entertainment and a fabulous atmosphere full of colour, sparkle and a much-welcomed final motivational boost for the last leg of the race! The course then headed towards the north of the city, with the race concluding in the heart of Cardiff at the Civic Centre. The finish line gantry was constructed from MILOS M290 aluminium truss, which incorporated logos from the headline and key race sponsors before runners received their all-important medals on crossing the completion line.
 
Thousands of spectators turn out to support the runners in a city renowned for its sporting passion, lining the streets to cheer on participants and contributing to an electric atmosphere throughout the race.  The event supports a large number of charities and good causes, with runners raising millions for local and national charities, where participants are encouraged to run for causes close to their hearts.
 
Dates for next year’s event have already been confirmed, and the Cardiff Half Marathon is set to return to the city on 5^th October 2025.
 
Gareth Rodgers, Project Manager from Stage Lighting Services, concludes: “It's great to be back once again at the Cardiff Half Marathon and involved in this fantastic event managing all the onsite support structures. It has been brilliant to see an upsurge in participants and the event growing year on year.  We are a local supplier that is proud to have supported the race event for many years and be involved with so many like-minded local people in Cardiff who make this race so special.”

Photo Credits - Run4Wales.