Course Information

Course Description

The Bath Half is a fast flat course, straddling both sides of the river Avon and avoiding all the hills surrounding the City. It is an 'honest' two-lap course with proven PB ('personal best' time) criteria, entirely traffic-free (full road closures throughout). Even at the front end you'll have plenty of company to pull you round for a good time

This is a 'Big City' race, starting & finishing at the same point in Great Pulteney Street - with a roadway spanning 46 feet - one of the widest Georgian boulevards in Europe and a course that threads through the heart of this historic city

The first mile is gently downhill down Pulteney Road to Churchill Bridge - so resist all temptations to go off too fast

You then follow two identical laps from Churchill Bridge, gently rising up past Green Park Station, a gentle 'pull' round Queen Square (the most crowded spot for spectators on the course), then down Charlotte Street and out along the Upper Bristol Road, gently undulating along Newbridge Road, and a longer 'pull' up to the 'New Bridge' at the beginning of the dual carriageway. From the 'Twerton Fork' the race heads back towards the City centre, pancake flat along Lower Bristol Road, before crossing over Churchill Bridge and up Green Park again for the beginning of the second lap. At the end of the second lap the runners pass across Churchill Bridge, finally rising gently (but remorselessly!) back up Pulteney Road all the way to the finish with a dramatic last 200 metres in Great Pulteney Street

The Course Map will be included in the race programme which is posted out to all runners (with their race numbers and timing chips) in good time to have a proper read through before race day

The course route is unchanged since it was remeasured in 2006 by IAAF official course measurer Hugh Jones (ex British international marathon runner & London Marathon winner). The current course is close to the original course used in early years of the race. Hugh described it as 'officially flat, with three undulations' ! The amendments were introduced in 2006 to make the course run faster, whilst reducing congestion at the 'pinch points' at Rudmore Park and Pinesway. We also introduced a fantastic viewing spot for spectators at Queen Square

Toilets and drinks stations

Toilets are provided at all first aid posts and at all drinks stations. There are further toilets in the Runners Village and inside the assembly area for each start bay

Highland Spring bottled water & Lucozade Sport will be provided on the left hand kerb at the following locations on the half marathon course:

• Highland Spring bottled water: 2 miles, 5 miles, 8 miles, 10.5 miles, 12.5 miles
• Lucozade Sport (orange flavour): 4.5 miles, 10 miles

Further water and energy drinks are provided after the finish of the half marathon and fun run

Mile Markers

We spray-paint exact mile markers on the road, but to help with visibility we also fix signs on the nearest lamp post (although these can be several metres away from the measured mile mark itself)

10K Timing Point

An intermediate chip timing point is provided on the first lap at the 10K mark. All first lap runners are required to run through the 10K timing point on the inside (left) lane

Entertainment around the course

In addition to the ever-popular Samba Sulis drummers in Queen Square, we are planning additional entertainment to lift your spirits at some of the quieter locations on the half marathon course. A number of our race charities will also be organising cheering points around the course to support runners