General places for the 2014 Bath Half Marathon are being snapped up thick and fast, with entries expected to sell out in the next few days.
There are still more than three months until race day, but recent weeks have seen a big boost in entries, leaving organisers to predict that general entries will fill up in a matter of days.
Andrew Taylor, Race Director for the Bath Half Marathon from Running High said: “Once again, we have been really pleased with the quick take up of entries for next year’s BATHALF. Taking the current economic climate into account along with the number of new races being introduced in the UK, we are delighted that we are still in a position where we continue to sell out each year.
“The trend remains the same in that entries are being filled by a combination of return runners and new entrants, demonstrating the strength of the race’s reputation in the UK race calendar”.
Due to the city centre location of the race, which takes place on Sunday 2nd March next year, entries for the BATHALF will be capped at 15,000 as in previous years. The race never fails to sell out and attracts runners from all over the UK and abroad, as well as a significant local contingent.
Organisers are urging runners to get their entry in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Andrew added: “The amount of entries we see coming in always increases rapidly in the weeks leading up to Christmas and, as numbers are limited, we always have an abundance of disappointed runners who leave it too late and end up missing out. To avoid that this year, we would urge you to act now to secure your place”.
Once general entries have closed, the only way to secure a place will be by entering the Corporate Challenge as a business team, or through the official race charities, if their places haven’t already filled. The lead charity for 2014 is CoppaFeel!; the National Osteoporosis Society is the local charity of the year; and Teenage Cancer Trust are the featured appeal.
Entries for the 1 mile Family Fun Run are also now open at www.bathhalf.co.uk, for which Send a Cow is the official charity.
Running High’s Mel Taylor added: “In the past, once general entries have filled, runners’ attention usually turns to charity places, but this is happening much sooner than anticipated this year, with many of the featured charity places already being snapped up. This is fantastic news for us and our official charities, and we hope that the surge in charity places will mean that we smash the 2013 fundraising total of £2million, which would mean another record total for the event”.
This year, organisers have also added the opportunity for runners to take advantage of an exclusive VIP package, which includes parking at the event, pre-race refreshments, changing and shower facilities, as well as a hot buffet post-race for VIP runners and two guests.
VIP entries, which are priced at £75, are limited.
Those who have already entered can upgrade to the VIP package by calling the Running High team on 01225 422 255. Anyone hoping to grab one of the last remaining general places can upgrade at point of entry or by calling Running High using the above number.
To secure a place in the 2014 BATHALF, or for further information on the event charities, go to www.bathhalf.co.uk or call 01225 422 255.
