Cardiff Half Marathon 2025 – the stories behind the strides

Former Olympic track cyclist Dani Rowe took up running in 2018 after retiring from cycling but she says adapting to running was not an easy transition.

“When I was riding we weren’t allowed to do any running whatsoever, no weight-bearing but it was something I always wanted to do post-cycling career,” she said.

“I actually struggled initially with stress fractures because of having done no weight-bearing exercise with cycling, [I had a low] bone density.

“My heart and lungs were almost too strong for my bones, tendons and ligaments – which are obviously what you need for running.

“I had to go back to basics with walk-running and really build up, and in the last few years I’ve done the Manchester half and London full marathons and loved every minute.”

A mother of two, she says she was inspired to take part after watching the event with her children.

“It was just incredible, the atmosphere, I think I cried multiple times just watching people running and doing incredible things for charities,” she said.

“I’m a better person and mum through exercising and running gives me that outlet to switch off and have me time and pushing my body.

“When I run, I find that every version of myself is better.”

She is targeting a finish time of one hour and 30 minutes for her half-marathon.

“I’ve had an amazing friend who’s been trying to coach me to try to break that target on Sunday but it’s going to be tough,” she said.

“I’ve had such a busy lead-up I couldn’t have done any more so I’ll have to be pleased with whatever it is when I cross the finish line.”