Newport Marathon

Location: Newport, Wales
Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://newportwalesmarathon.co.uk/
2025 Marathon Date: 13/04/2025
2026 Marathon Date: 19/04/2026
Winning Time 2025: 2:27:57
% Sub-3s: 10–15%
# Sub-3s: 100–499
Total Runners: 1k–3k

The Newport Marathon takes place each spring in the Welsh city of Newport, offering a fast and predominantly flat course that has earned it a strong reputation among UK club runners. Designed with PBs in mind, the race is considered one of the quickest marathons in the country and often attracts runners chasing sub-3 targets.

The route begins and ends in the heart of Newport and weaves through a mix of urban, riverside and rural landscapes. The first section runs through the city centre before heading east along wide, closed roads towards the Gwent Levels - a series of flat, open stretches surrounded by farmland and wetlands. The lack of sharp gradients or technical turns supports steady pacing, and the course has minimal elevation variation across its 26.2 miles.

Mid-April in Wales typically brings mild and unsettled conditions. Temperatures at the start line often sit between 7–12°C, with a mix of overcast skies and light winds. Rain is always a possibility, but many editions have taken place under cool, dry conditions ideal for distance racing.

Organisation is efficient, with good signage, timing, aid stations and crowd control. The field is large enough to offer pacing groups and sub-3 company but small enough to avoid congestion. Many of the country’s top club runners attend, and the atmosphere is quietly competitive, with a focus on times rather than fanfare.

The Newport Marathon is a strong choice for runners who value a practical, performance-oriented race. It offers the accessibility of a UK-based event with the qualities of an international flat course. While not a major city marathon in terms of scale or spectacle, it consistently delivers the conditions and layout that serious amateur runners look for.

With its reputation for fast finishes and reliable organisation, the Newport Marathon has become a key fixture in the UK spring marathon calendar for sub-3 hopefuls.