The Porthkerry 5MT Race 2026
Date: Sunday, September 20th, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Porthkerry Country Park, Barry, Wales
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, the Porthkerry 5 MT is a 5-mile, mixed-terrain race set within the 220 acres of Porthkerry Country Park, offering stunning views of the Bristol Channel and Glamorgan Heritage Coast.
Since its early days as the ‘Porthkerry Plod’, the race has been a popular fixture on the local running calendar, with a course that’s challenging enough for experienced runners but equally suited to newer or social runners looking to try a mixed-terrain race.
The 2026 race will again include the South Wales Regional Trail Championship (for eligible runners).
Prizes: For 1st, 2nd and 3rd place men and women, plus age group winners.
Time Limit: 1 hour 15 minutes.
Race licensed by Welsh Athletics (licence applied for).
The 2026 Course
The course is fast and 95% within the park. Surfaces include open grassland, woodland paths, trails and tarmac paths. It includes two challenging climbs, fast, flat sections and a few quick descents.
- A fast, flat first mile with a loop of The Meadow and a spectator-friendly switchback.
- A quick visit to the shoreline then onto trails through Viaduct Wood and a loop through Porthkerry Viaduct.
- A short, sharp climb from Cwm Barri for a looping run around and through the trees and open spaces in the 'Four Fields' at the top of the park.
- A speedy last mile, half of it down through the wooded area of Cwm Barri before a run for home back along The Meadow.
Incorporating the 2026 S.Wales Regional Trail Championship.
Race Director: Lyn Evans ([email protected])