A Record-Breaking CDF 10K for Kidney Wales
40 years after the first race, the Kidney Wales CDF 10K returned to its roots – and 2026 proved to be a record-breaking year for both the event and Kidney Wales.
Cardiff came alive on Sunday 6th September as more than 10,000 runners took part in the biggest-ever edition of the CDF 10K, celebrating 40 years of one of Wales’ most iconic road races.
For Kidney Wales, this year’s event was particularly special. We were incredibly proud to reconnect our charity with the CDF 10K as headline sponsor and lead charity, bringing Kidney Wales back to an event that has been part of our story since its very beginning in 1986.
And what a way to mark the anniversary.
A record-breaking 300 runners joined #TeamKidneyWales, representing teams from across our community and taking on the 10K to raise vital funds for people affected by kidney disease.
Together, our incredible runners have already raised more than £50,000 for Kidney Wales, an extraordinary achievement that will help us continue supporting kidney patients and their families across Wales.
From the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle to the city’s parks and streets, the atmosphere was electric as thousands of runners took on the fast and flat course, cheered on by crowds lining the route.
For Kidney Wales, however, the day was about so much more than running.
It was about community, It was about celebrating our shared history with the CDF 10K. And, most importantly, it was about bringing people together to make a difference to the lives of those living with kidney disease.
40 years of the CDF 10K
The 2026 race marked the 40th anniversary of the CDF 10K, with the event celebrating its incredible history through a host of 1980s-inspired touches.
Participants born in 1986 gathered on the start line for a special commemorative photograph, 80s music played around the course and the event’s medal and T-shirt featured a retro design to mark the special occasion.
There was also a special Kidney Wales Top Fundraisers walk-on, celebrating some of the incredible people who have gone above and beyond in their fundraising for Kidney Wales and recognising the difference they are making to our kidney community.
Fancy dress was also out in force, adding to the party atmosphere across Cardiff. Even our Kidney Wales mascot, D-Dog, joined the celebrations and took part in the race!
A day for the whole Kidney Wales team
It wasn’t just our amazing fundraisers who got involved. We were delighted to have many of our Kidney Wales trustees join #TeamKidneyWales and take on the 10K themselves, getting out on the course alongside our supporters and experiencing the incredible atmosphere first-hand.
Back in the race village, our Kidney Wales tent became a hub for runners, supporters, families and friends throughout the day. We were delighted to welcome people over for refreshments, a chance to catch up with the Kidney Wales team and some much-needed post-race massages from the wonderful Dayna.
It was a brilliant opportunity to spend time with so many of the people who make up the Kidney Wales community and to celebrate together after crossing the finish line.
A huge thank you to #TeamKidneyWales
The true stars of the day were our 300 Kidney Wales runners.
Every runner who pulled on their Kidney Wales vest, every person who dedicated time to their training, every supporter who cheered from the sidelines, every volunteer who helped on the day and everyone who donated has played a part in making this year so special.
With more than £50,000 already raised, the impact of their efforts will continue long after the finish line.
These funds will help Kidney Wales provide vital support to people affected by kidney disease, including financial and wellbeing assistance, trusted information and guidance, research funding and support for specialist kidney services across Wales.
Ross Evans, CEO of Kidney Wales, said:
“2026 has been an incredibly special year for Kidney Wales and for the CDF 10K. To return to the event as headline sponsor and lead charity, 40 years after the race began, is something we are enormously proud of.
“Seeing 300 incredible #TeamKidneyWales runners take to the streets of Cardiff was a truly unforgettable moment. They have already raised more than £50,000, and that money will make a real difference to people living with kidney disease across Wales.
“It was also fantastic to see so many of our trustees getting involved and running alongside our supporters, while our race village tent gave us a wonderful opportunity to meet fundraisers, families and members of our wider kidney community.
“We want to say a huge thank you to every single runner, supporter, volunteer and fundraiser who helped make this such a record-breaking year. The energy, generosity and community spirit were incredible.
“The CDF 10K has been part of the Kidney Wales story for four decades, and we are incredibly excited about what the future holds.”
Looking ahead
The 40th anniversary may have been a celebration of the past, but for Kidney Wales it also marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
With the biggest-ever CDF 10K behind us and a record-breaking team of 300 Kidney Wales runners, we are already looking forward to building on the momentum of 2026.
To everyone who ran, fundraised, donated, volunteered, cheered, organised or supported #TeamKidneyWales – thank you.
You helped make the 40th Kidney Wales CDF 10K a day to remember.
And if you’ve been inspired by this year’s incredible team, we’d love to have you join us in 2027.
