Sign up now for Tŷ Hafan’s Dark Run – with 10% off entry for Cardiff Mummy Says followers

Paid partnership with Tŷ Hafan

Gather your little monsters and get set for the spookiest running event of the year with Tŷ Hafan’s Dark Run.

Dark Run is a series of family-friendly Halloween fun runs at iconic locations across South Wales in support of Tŷ Hafan, the children’s hospice in Sully in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The three family-friendly events will help raise vital funds for Tŷ Hafan, helping to make sure that no family has to live their child’s short life alone and that families get the support they need through their child’s life, death and beyond.

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Three Dark Run events for 2025

You can choose from three Dark Run events this October – Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr on Friday 17 October, National Botanic Gardens of Wales in Carmarthen on Saturday 25 October and, for the first time, Bute Park in Cardiff on Saturday 18 October.

These famous Welsh venues will open after dark with a 2 or 2.5 kilometre route filled with spooky surprises, and a glow-in-the-dark medal for participants at the end.

Fancy dress such as bright neon colours and Halloween outfits are highly encouraged (although not compulsory) with a prize for the best costumes.

The event is open to all ages and none of the spookiness will be too scary. You can walk, run or wheelchair or buggy your way around the fully-marshalled route, with no cut-off time meaning there’s no pressure on little legs. The events are family-friendly, however groups of colleagues and friends, or individual grown up runners are just as welcome. The most important thing is coming together to raise funds for Tŷ Hafan.

Discounted Dark Run places for Cardiff Mummy Says followers

Taking part in Dark Run costs £10 for adults, £5 for children, £25 for a family and free for

under 3s, with a minimum fundraising commitment of £50 per family/group.

Or, you can pay a little extra to support Tŷ Hafan’s incredible work, with no fundraising commitment required, with adults £20, children £15, under 4s free, and a family £50 (plus booking fees).

Cardiff Mummy Says followers can get 10% off all Dark Run places by using the code CARDIFFMUMMYSAYS10 at checkout.

Sign up for Dark Run now

This includes fundraising and non-fundraising options and is valid for all three locations.

Minimum fundraising guidelines still apply to discounted places.

The discount is valid until Saturday 11 October.

With the events less than a month away, and already selling fast, sign up now to ensure your place and support Tŷ Hafan’s incredible work.

What to expect at Dark Run

Registration will open at 5.45pm for each event, 45 minutes before the set-off time of 6.30pm. This will give you a chance to enjoy the pre-event atmosphere, take part in the warm-up – and check out some of the other costumes.

As well as entry into their chosen event, participants will receive a large glowstick, a bespoke medal at the end, fundraising support and access to the Dark Runs Facebook group where you can ask questions and get support in the run up to the events.

Each Dark Run is designed to fit into the location where it takes place, so they’ll all be slightly different.

Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil, Friday 17 October

Starting in the castle grounds, this epic 2.5km spooky fun run will give you gorgeous views of the lake glistening in the dark. You’ll then head towards the gardens and wooded country park, where there will be spooky surprises waiting for you.

Bute Park, Cardiff, Saturday 18 October

This 2km spooky run will take you through Cardiff’s historic Bute Park, as you journey past the Gorsedd Stone Circle, Blackfriars Friary, and along the path next to the river Taff towards the orchard lawn.

National Botanic Garden of Wales, Carmarthen, Saturday 25 October

This 2.5km run will take you past the Great Glass House – the largest single-span glass house in the world, as well as through gardens and past water features, starting and ending at Millennium Square. Parts of the grounds will be lit up with music and entertainment along the way.

About Tŷ Hafan

Tŷ Hafan believes that when a child’s life will be short, no family should have to live it on their own. Every family should have access to the care they need through their child’s life, death and beyond.

However, currently, 90% of families in Wales whose child’s life will be short are not receiving the support they need. They often face a daily struggle without the care and support they need – Tŷ Hafan believes this should not be allowed to happen, which is why they support children and young people at their hospice, in homes and in the community.

They care for them, helping to make their short lives as full as they can be and, when the time comes, provide end-of-life care and ongoing bereavement care. Their specialist support also extends to parents, siblings and other family members, offering personalised support to give them strength, make treasured memories together and improve their quality of life.

Every year it costs more than £6 million for Tŷ Hafan to provide their specialist care and support to children – and the majority of this comes from donations, fundraising, their charity shops and gifts in Wills.

Taking part in Dark Run – or if you can’t take part, donating to the charity – will help Tŷ Hafan make sure that no family has to live their child’s short life alone.

Sign up for Tŷ Hafan’s Dark Run now – and don’t forget to use the code CARDIFFMUMMYSAYS10 at the checkout for a 10% discount off your entry.

The event is kindly sponsored by Acorns Nurseries Limited and Family Fostering Partners.