The 2026 Cardiff Half has come and gone in what likely seems like an instant to everyone except those who took on the 13.1 mile course. More than 120 of the 24,000 participants took part in aid of Latch, the largest number of runners Latch has ever had entered in the event.

 

The runners ranged from first timers, who since crossing the finish line have vowed to never do so again, to seasoned veterans, making their 20th lap of the course; and each with a deeply personal reason for raising funds for Latch, including a number of past patients who were treated at the Children’s Hospital for Wales in their youth.

 

Each participant took up the fundraising torch in their own way, be that hosting bake sales, quiz nights, or even golf tournaments, to ensure that they could raise every penny possible for the families Latch supports. Together they raised more than £58,000 (and counting!) plus gift aid, funds that will be used to ensure that no family has to go through their treatment journey alone.

 

To each and every member of Team Latch, thankyou for your hard work and dedication, we couldn’t be here without support like yours, and we’re so grateful to be able to count each and everyone of you as a part of the Latch community!

 

Latch Corner Returns

The corner of Albany and Blenheim roads was once again transformed into a sea of purple as Latch supporters turned out to cheer on the runners before the dreaded Roath Park Hill.

Latch corner has been a staple of the Cardiff Half for nearly ten years now, in large part thanks to the support from Albany Road Baptist Church, who turned out again to help make it a wonderful space for both spectators and runners, including a live DJ set to keep the vibes high!

Supporters of all ages were out to scream and shout for Latch, with the youngest supporter not even 12 months old yet, who was keen to get involved with race, giving just about every single runner a smile and a wave!

A huge thankyou to everyone who came down to help cheer on Team Latch and all the other runners, we’ve had plenty of feedback to say just how wonderful it was and how much of a boost your cheering gave them!

 

A special thanks to our friends at Albany Road Baptist Church, who have helped to host and run Latch corner from the very beginning, we couldn’t do it without you and your community.

 

Why it matters  

Latch supports around 100 children and their families in Wales at any one time, who may face months, often years, of hospital stays, travel, and uncertainty. Latch exists to make sure no family faces that alone.  

From providing on-site accommodation at the University Hospital of Wales, to offering financial grants that help families with the cost of frequent travel for treatment, as well as emotional support and holiday breaks, the charity wraps families in care when they need it most.  

What makes Team Latch so special isn’t just the fundraising totals; it’s the people. From first-time runners to seasoned athletes, from community gym teams to families running in memory or in hope, everyone is united by a shared mission, to be here for childhood cancer in Wales.   

 

For the runners of Team Latch, every mile means something.

It means more grants to help families travel back and forth to hospital for treatment, more financial support to ease the burden of time away from work, and more comfort for children facing their toughest days. 

 

Looking ahead: Join Team Latch in 2027  

As the medals are hung and the trainers are finally washed, the Latch family is already looking ahead. Plans are underway for an even bigger and brighter Team Latch in 2027, and the charity is inviting anyone inspired by this year’s achievements to get involved.  

 

Running for Latch isn’t just about fitness; it’s about turning miles into meaning and making a tangible difference for childhood cancer in Wales.  

If this year’s stories have inspired you, if you want to be part of something extraordinary, why not lace up, sign up, and run for latch in 2027?