The organisers of the Bath Half Marathon announced today with regret that this year’s event has been postponed to 13th March 2022, due to the national COVID restrictions for large-scale events plus planned infrastructure projects on the highways network in the City this autumn.

“With just over 4 months now before our event date we still do not have clarification from Government on key factors such as whether social distancing will be required, whether spectators will be permitted and whether participants will be required to provide certification of COVID status.

These factors will fundamentally effect how we deliver our event, and without this clarification we do not feel we have sufficient time now to plan our arrangements, or to carry out proper consultations with the council and other stakeholders, or to tender and place the necessary contractors’ orders.

We also feel that the restrictions that are likely to remain on large scale public events this year will change the community character of our event and prevent us from delivering the Bath Half Marathon in the way our runners expect.

Furthermore, following consultation with B&NES Council, we have also been informed that access to the highways for the event will be compromised by a number of infrastructure projects planned this autumn, including the unavoidable repairs to Cleveland Bridge, which were postponed in 2020, and which is a key part of the diversion route around the city during the event road closures.

We are particularly disappointed for the thousands of local runners who regularly take part in the Bath Half Marathon, and for the impact this postponement will have on our 80 local charity
partners and local voluntary groups and well as our national charity partners who will lose out on critical fundraising at this challenging time.

“It’s heart-breaking to have to postpone our Bath Half Marathon for a second time and we know that many people will be disappointed by this decision. Sadly the combination of uncertainty surrounding continued COVID restrictions for large-scale events and planned infrastructure projects on the highways network in the City this autumn have left us with no choice. But with the support of our entrants, community and partners we’re determined to return in March 2022 with a celebration for our 40th anniversary.”

We will be contacting registered entrants today with details of their deferment and refund options.

We will also notify our charity partners, commercial partners, contractors and volunteer groups about arrangements for the event on 13th March.”

Andrew Taylor – Bath Half Marathon Race Director – Running High Events

“Bath & North East Somerset Council recognises the significant role the Bath Half plays in the city’s calendar of events, inspiring fitness and wellbeing within the city, its importance to charities as the largest regional fundraising event, and the boost it gives to the local hospitality economy. We look forward to the return of the event in March 2022”.

Councillor Richard Samuel, acting leader of Bath & North East Somerset

The Bath Half Marathon is the largest sporting and community event in the city and the largest charity fundraising event in the South-West raising £30 million pounds for charity in the 20 years since Running High Events took over management of the event. Cancellation of this year’s Bath Half will have a substantial impact on the event’s 140 charity partners who stand to lose around £2.5 million pounds this year in fundraising, at a time when demand on the charity sector and the cost of service delivery have both significantly increased, due to the COVID pandemic.

“The Bath Half Marathon is an incredibly important event for local charities, not only in terms of fundraising – around £1 million pounds is raised each year for local charities within Bath & North East Somerset (out of a total of £2.5 million pounds raised by the event) – but also in raising public awareness of our work. The funds raised for local charities through the Bath Half are critical to
our services in our community, and now with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak these funds are even more essential to keep our vital services going”

Joint statement from local charities : Bath RUH Forever Friends Appeal, Dorothy House Hospice Care and Jamie’s Farm

Events like the Bath Half provide an invaluable role in promoting physical fitness and an active lifestyle, a key to the recovery from the COVID pandemic. The Bath Half provides an inspiration and gateway into the UK’s most popular sport, enjoyed by 7.5 million regular runners in England, including 25,000 regular runners in the Bath area. It also provides a focus and motivation for regular runners, and a pathway for elite competition.

“Studies have consistently shown that outdoor activities such as running are very low risk in terms of COVID-19 transmission, and that organised outdoor running events including parkrun are extremely safe with the correct measures in place.

The overwhelming benefits of exercise and physical fitness, in reducing the risk of serious outcome from COVID-19 and a range of non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and dementia, plus mental health benefits, are well known.

Andrew Taylor – Race Director – Running High Events