Conwy Quayside — the start and finish of the half marathon — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
One of the UK’s Most Scenic Half Marathons
The Conwy Half Marathon has been voted in the top five most scenic half marathons in the UK by readers of Runner’s World, and it is easy to see why. The race starts and finishes on Conwy Quayside, directly in front of the 700-year-old castle, runs along the Conwy estuary to Deganwy, takes in the full sweep of West Shore Llandudno and the Victorian pier, then circuits the dramatic Great Orme headland before returning to the walled town. In 13.1 miles, runners pass through some of the finest coastal scenery in North Wales.
The race is organised by Colwyn Bay Athletics Club and is part of the 4 Castle Series, a group of races themed around the medieval castles of North Wales. It takes place on the third Sunday of November, with a 9:30am start. The 2026 race is on Sunday 15 November. Entry costs £44 and the race is capped at 4,000 runners — smaller than many city events, which keeps the atmosphere personal without the crowds of a mass-participation city race. Enter via the Run Wales website or the race’s own page on the Colwyn Bay Athletics Club website.
The Route in Detail
The race begins on the quayside bridge directly in front of Conwy Castle. The first miles follow the A547 road along the western bank of the Conwy estuary, with the river on one side and the Carneddau foothills rising on the other. This section is largely flat and gives runners a chance to settle into their pace, with the estuary providing open views across to Llandudno Junction and the mountains beyond. After passing through Deganwy — a small resort town at the mouth of the estuary — the route turns west along the coast.
From Deganwy the course runs along West Shore, the quieter, sandier side of Llandudno that faces the Conwy estuary rather than the open sea. This section passes the base of the Great Orme headland and continues to Llandudno Pier and the Victorian promenade. The pier section is one of the crowd-pleasing moments of the race: spectators can line the promenade easily and the backdrop of the pier, the bay and the mountains makes for memorable running photographs.
The Great Orme circuit is the defining challenge of the race. The headland rises steeply from the promenade and the route takes runners around its flanks via the Marine Drive toll road, an undulating clifftop road with dramatic views across Conwy Bay towards Anglesey, Puffin Island and the Carneddau mountains. The climb is sustained and the gradient is significant in places, but it is followed by approximately two miles of fast downhill running back towards West Shore. For many runners this is the highlight of the race: the combination of physical effort and extraordinary scenery, with the sea on one side and the mountains on the other, makes for an unforgettable few miles. The route then returns along the estuary road to Conwy, finishing on the quayside with the castle directly ahead.
For Spectators: Where to Watch
The Conwy Half Marathon is an excellent spectator race because the route is largely accessible by road and the key viewing spots are well spread out. The start and finish on Conwy Quayside in front of the castle is the most atmospheric location: the combination of medieval stonework, the estuary and a few thousand runners provides an immediately memorable scene. Spectators who want to see both the start and the finish should park in Conwy and take up a position on the quayside for the start, then stay put for the finish — there is plenty to keep you occupied in the town while the runners are out on the course.
The Deganwy seafront is a comfortable viewing point about three miles in, easily reached by car via Llandudno Junction. West Shore Llandudno offers a long stretch of open promenade where you can watch runners pass and then move up towards the pier end for another view. Llandudno Promenade near the pier is typically the busiest spectator point on the route, with cafes nearby and a long straight section that allows you to spot your runner from some distance. For the Great Orme section, parts of the Marine Drive toll road are accessible to walkers and offer elevated views of the runners below, though getting a car into position is more complex.
A practical spectator plan: drive to Conwy for the 9:30 start, walk to the quayside, watch the runners set off, then drive to Llandudno (15 minutes) and position yourself on the promenade for miles 8–9 as runners pass the pier. Return to Conwy to watch the finish — the final stretch along the quayside with the castle as a backdrop is the best moment of the whole event.
Making a Weekend of It
November is an underrated time to visit Conwy. The tourist crowds are gone, the town takes on a quieter, more authentic character, and several things are actually better than in summer. The mussel season runs from September to April, so the famous Conwy mussels are at their peak: look for steamed mussels or moules mariniere at the quayside cafes and restaurants the evening before the race. Conwy Castle is open through November (10:00–16:00), and visiting on a grey November afternoon, when you may have the battlements almost to yourself, can be more atmospheric than a summer visit crowded with day-trippers.
For a running-optimised weekend, arrive on Saturday afternoon, check in to your accommodation, explore the town walls and quayside at a gentle pace to stretch your legs without tiring them, have an early dinner, and get to bed at a sensible hour. Race morning: the quayside is a 5–10 minute walk from most accommodation in the town centre. After the race, recovery options include the cafes on the high street, a quiet pint in one of the town’s pubs, or simply sitting on the quayside with a coffee watching the estuary. If you have an extra day, RSPB Conwy is excellent in November for winter waders and wildfowl, and the Conwy Mountain walk offers post-race leg-stretching views with minimal effort.
Where to Stay for the Race
Staying within Conwy itself puts you closest to the start line and allows you to walk to the race morning assembly without needing to think about parking or transport. The town has hotels, guest houses and B&Bs to suit various budgets; see our where to stay guide and guest houses guide for options. The town is compact, so even the accommodation furthest from the quayside is only a 10–15 minute walk to the start.
Alternatively, Llandudno (four miles away) has a much larger accommodation offer and the race passes through it, so runner-and-spectator combinations work well when based there. Llandudno Junction also has some accommodation and good transport connections. For those driving to the race, note that road closures on race day affect access to Conwy Quayside; check the race organiser’s pre-race briefing for the current parking and travel advice, and consider arriving well before the 9:30 start. The race organisers recommend using the Morfa car park and walking to the start, or catching a connecting bus from Llandudno Junction if driving from elsewhere. For general parking information see our parking guide.
Check Accommodation on Booking.comRace Details at a Glance
Date: Sunday 15 November 2026 (annual, third Sunday in November)
Start time: 9:30am
Start & finish: Conwy Quayside, in front of Conwy Castle
Distance: 13.1 miles (21.1km)
Entry fee: £44
Field size: Capped at 4,000 runners
Organiser: Colwyn Bay Athletics Club
Series: Part of the 4 Castle Series
Affiliation: Run Wales / Welsh Athletics
The race is well-served by marshals and has a good reputation for organisation. A medal and technical t-shirt are typically included in the entry. Full race information, road closure details and pre-race briefing are published on the Run Wales and Colwyn Bay Athletics Club websites in the weeks before the event. Always check there for the most current information, as details can change from year to year.
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