Wigfield and Bell triumph at 2026 GetPRO Bath Half to book spots at World Road Running Championships

Two standout performances at the 2026 GetPRO Bath Half saw Joe Wigfield and Alex Bell secure victory and book their places in the Great Britain team for the World Road Running Championships half marathon later this year.

The race, held on Sunday 15 March, once again attracted the best of British distance running after being confirmed as the official British Athletics trial race for the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen this September.

Wigfield wins thrilling four-way battle

The men’s race proved to be one of the most exciting contests of the day, with four runners locked together for much of the 13.1-mile course through the streets of Bath.

Wigfield, Phil Sesemann, Alfie Manthorpe and defending champion Jake Smith formed the lead pack early on, with Smith repeatedly pushing the pace in an attempt to break the group apart. Despite several attacks, the quartet stayed together until the closing stages.

Smith dropped off just before the final sprint, leaving Wigfield, Sesemann and Manthorpe to battle it out in front of the iconic Royal Crescent finish.

Wigfield, who had already achieved the qualifying standard of 61:30 ahead of the race, proved strongest in the final push to take the win in 62:07. Sesemann followed closely in 62:13, Manthorpe finished third in 62:14, and Smith crossed the line in fourth in 62:31.

“It was good but hard,” said Wigfield. “Conditions were a bit windy but that was OK. Jake led us out and all of us felt we could take each other on in a sprint finish and, thankfully, I was strongest up the hill and managed to hold it together.

“I wanted that Team GB vest coming in and now I have something to look forward to post-track season. To win and get that qualification is a real bonus.”

Bell powers to personal best

In the women’s race, Alex Bell produced an impressive solo performance to secure victory and a place in the British team.

Bell broke away from Jess Warner-Judd in the early stages and maintained her lead throughout the race, finishing in a personal best of 69:15.

Crucially, that time was inside the British Athletics qualifying standard of 69:30, confirming her place at the World Road Running Championships.

Warner-Judd finished second in 71:21, with Lauren McNeil third in 71:50.

“I was very happy today,” said Bell. “I had some tired legs ahead of this race but I really surprised myself. My coach told me I was doing well but I felt unsure, but he was right all along.

“I have never been to Bath before but I will certainly be back, after I have practised some hills. I used my 800 metre pedigree for the final stages so that really helped.”

A major race on the British calendar

The GetPRO Bath Half continues to attract some of the UK’s leading athletes, alongside thousands of charity runners and community participants, making it one of the most anticipated events on the national road running calendar.

Founded in 1982, the race is now the largest sporting and community event in Bath and the largest charity fundraising event in the South West, raising more than £30 million for good causes.