More than 12,500 runners bring the energy to the 2026 GetPRO Bath Half

Bath was buzzing with energy this weekend as more than 12,500 runners took to the streets for the 2026 GetPRO Bath Half Marathon, the city’s biggest annual sporting event.

Perfect running conditions greeted participants as elite athletes, club runners and thousands of charity fundraisers completed the 13.1-mile course through the heart of the city.

Leading the field were Joe Wigfield and Alex Bell, who claimed victory in the elite men’s and women’s races. Wigfield won in 62 minutes and 14 seconds after a closely fought contest at the front of the race, while Bell finished in 69 minutes and 15 seconds, setting a new personal best. Both performances secured the athletes a place representing Great Britain at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen this September.

Event Lead Joanna Wales said the weekend had been packed with memorable moments.

“The 2026 GetPRO Bath Half Marathon has been a memorable weekend, rich with incredible stories from across the event,” she said. “From the elite performances that earned selection for the World Athletics Road Running Championships to the achievements of more than 12,000 everyday runners.

“The beauty of this event is that it brings people and communities together, and that was evident both on the course and along the roadside where the atmosphere and camaraderie were truly special.”

Among the runners was Danny Kay, who at 84 years old completed his remarkable 43rd consecutive Bath Half. Kay, who also served as the event’s official starter, joked: “I shuffle more than run these days, but I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Many runners were raising money for charity, with around 100 charities represented on the course. The Bath Half is the largest charity fundraising sporting event in the South West and has raised more than £30 million for good causes since it began in 1982.

Local runner Georgina Chandler, 28, was taking part alongside friends and family to support Dorothy House Hospice Care, which cared for her father during the final weeks of his life.

“Dorothy House gave him the best care in the entire world,” she said. “Since the funeral we’ve raised £13,000, and £7,000 of that has come from doing the Bath Half. There are fifteen of us running together. The atmosphere today has been incredible.”

For others, the event became a family celebration. Martha Page, also from Bath, completed her first half marathon on Mother’s Day, supported along the route by her mum and family.

“I found it hard but it was really good,” she said. “Seeing my family along the route definitely gave me an extra boost.”

The weekend celebrations began on Saturday with the GetPRO Bath Miles, a free one-mile event in Royal Victoria Park that welcomed children and families to run, jog, walk or wheel around the course.

Entries for the 2027 GetPRO Bath Half, which takes place on Sunday 14 March, are already open. Organisers say this year’s race sold out in record time, so runners are encouraged to secure their place early.

The Bath Half remains one of the UK’s most prestigious half marathons and continues to bring the city together each year in a unique celebration of sport, community and charity fundraising.