More than 12,500 runners took to the streets for the 2026 GetPRO Bath Half on Sunday, turning the city into a day-long celebration of sport, community and fundraising.
Photo © London Marathon Events
Elite athletes led the field as they chased selection for the World Athletics Road Running Championships, before thousands of mass and charity runners followed in what remains Bath’s biggest annual sporting event.
The race was an official British Athletics trial, with Joe Wigfield and Alex Bell both securing Great Britain vests for September’s championships in Copenhagen.
Wigfield won a tightly contested men’s race in 62:14 after a four-way battle for the title, while Bell clocked 69:15 in the women’s event – a new personal best over the half-marathon distance.
Joanna Wales, Event Lead for the GetPRO Bath Half, said: “The 2026 GetPRO Bath Half Marathon has been a memorable weekend, rich with incredible stories of participants throughout the event, from the brilliant elite performances from Joe and Alex, which earned them selection for the World Athletics Road Running Championships Half Marathon, to the special individual achievements of more than 12,000 everyday runners.
Joe Wigfield crossing the finish line | Photo © London Marathon Events
“The beauty of this event is that it brings people and communities together and that was evident on both the course, and the roadside, where the atmosphere and camaraderie were truly special.
“Entries are open for 2027 already and I am already excited for what will undoubtedly be another wonderful occasion next year.”
Among the mass field was 84-year-old Danny Kay, the event’s official starter, who also completed his 43rd consecutive Bath Half.
He said: “I shuffle more than run these days, but I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I absolutely love it.”
Runners set off from Royal Victoria Park, heading west along the north of the River Avon before looping back into the city via Great Pulteney Street. After a second lap past the park, the finish line awaited on Royal Avenue, just beyond the Royal Crescent.
Alex Bell won the women’s event | Photo © London Marathon Events
Fundraising remained at the heart of the day, with about 100 charities represented along the course in what is the biggest charity fundraiser in south-west England.
Georgina Chandler, 28, from Bath, ran for Dorothy House, the end-of-life care charity that supported her father, Tim.
She said: “Last year, in May, my dad’s cancer returned. He was the most amazing man – he paraglided, he did a half Ironman, [climbed] Mount Blanc, he is incredible.
“Dorothy House gave him the best care in the entire world. It was the worst eight weeks of our lives but we felt so safe, they were so reassuring, so knowledgeable in everything they do.
“Since the funeral, we’ve raised £13,000 but since the Bath Half, we’ve raised £7,000 from doing the event. There are 15 of us [running]!
“Today is just fantastic – there are so many families and children with their hands out. It just makes me proud to be from round here; it is a lovely community.”
Mother’s Day also featured strongly among the stories on the route. Martha Page, from Bath, took on her first half marathon with support from her family.
“I found it hard, but it was really good,” she said. “I’m here with my boyfriend, mum and step-dad. It’s Mother’s Day, so it means I’ve sort of taken precedence slightly today, but Mum got a card this morning.
“Having her here to support me definitely put an extra spring in my step. I saw my family four times on the way round, and that was really good.”
Her mother Hilary added: “I loved it; I’m so proud of her. This is her first half marathon, and she took on all of the advice and all of the training leading up to it.
“And she looked so happy – apart from that last hill! It was such a nice thing to celebrate as a family on Mothers’ Day.”
Entries are now open for the 2027 GetPRO Bath Half on Sunday 14th March. Organisers say the 2026 event sold out in record time, with early bird entry priced at £55.99.
