GETPRO BATH HALF To host Atheltics Road Running Championships

The 2026 GetPRO Bath Half Marathon, on Sunday 15 March, will host the official British Athletics trial race for the 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships Half Marathon.  

Athletes who have run faster than 65 minutes (male) and 74 minutes (female) since Monday, 1 January 2024, can apply to be included in the elite field for the trial.  

The 2026 World Athletics Road Running Championships will be staged in Copenhagen, Denmark, across three days in September, with the half-marathon concluding the weekend of racing on Sunday 20 September.  

UK Athletics will confirm its full selection criteria for the Championships, including qualifying times, in the coming months.  

It is the second successive year the GetPRO Bath Half has incorporated the British Athletics trial race for the World Athletics Road Running Championships Half Marathon. The 2025 edition was won by Jake Smith in 62:20 and Abbie Donnelly in 69:54.  

Spencer Barden, Head of Elite Athletes at London Marathon Events, said:“We are delighted the 2026 GetPRO Bath Half Marathon will be the official British Athletics trial race for the next World Athletics Road Running Championships Half Marathon in Copenhagen. The Bath Half has a rich history of hosting the UK’s best distance runners, and I’m sure the prospect of earning international honours will attract the latest generation of talent to the city next March.”

The prize money for the GetPRO Bath Half has been increased for 2026 and is as follows:  

• 1st: £3,000  

• 2nd: £2,000  

• 3rd: £1,500  

• 4th: £1,000

Athletes wishing to apply to be included in the official trial race should email Spencer Barden, Head of Elite Athletes at London Marathon Events, at spencer.barden@londonmarathonevents.co.uk.  

Entries are free and must be submitted no later than Sunday, 1 March 2026. All applicants must be eligible to compete for GB & NI on the day of the race (Sunday 15 March 2026) and have run a qualifying time at a half-marathon recognised and sanctioned by an official athletics governing body.  

Athletes who have run faster than 70 minutes (male) and 83 minutes (female) but do not qualify for the elite start are eligible for a half-price entry to the GetPRO Bath Half. Entries cost £28.25, a 50% reduction on the general entry fee.  

Application times must have been achieved since Monday, 1 January 2024 and come from a half-marathon recognised and sanctioned by an official athletics governing body. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, 27 November 2025. The registration and payment deadline for successful applications is Thursda,y 11 December 2025.  

Please complete the form to apply: 2026 GetPRO Bath Half Championship Application  

The GetPRO Bath Half, organised by London Marathon Events, is the city’s largest annual sporting and community occasion, and the biggest charity fundraising event in south-west England.  

The route is a two-lap course through the historic city that starts and finishes on Royal Avenue in front of the world-famous Royal Crescent.