We are proposing a number of changes and modifications to arrangements for this year’s Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 16 October, in response to runner feedback and our review after last year’s race

Moving the Runners Village to Royal Victoria Park last year was well received by runners, who appreciated the extra facilities we were able to provide on the larger and more open site. But many found the hill before the finish too challenging. We are finalising details of a new start and finish location to remove the hill and to reduce congestion around the start and finish areas, which we will be confirming shortly.

Thanks to the ongoing support of our partners Wessex Water, we will be doubling the number of the ‘HydroZones’ (water stations) on the course route this year, and we will also be increasing the number and visibility of our water stations in the Runners Village.

Climate change is forcing us all to change our patterns of behaviour. Running events also have to play our part in helping to reduce consumption and waste, and to respect our council’s ban on single use plastic at public events. So as a sport we have to develop a sustainable alternative to bottled water.

We will continue to encourage runners to be self-sufficient for your water needs – as you already do for your own training runs – and we will continue to provide refill point at drink stations for runners to refill your own bottles, whilst also providing cupped water for runners who prefer not to carry a bottle. Paper cups collected from our water stations are composted by a local partner.

Branded ‘BATHALF’ reusable and dishwasher-safe runners’ water bottles can be purchased on our website.

Runners have indicated that they continue to value the finisher T-shirts, medals, water and food items we provide. But to reduce waste we will no longer be providing finisher items pre-packed in ‘goody’ bags.

For future years we are exploring sustainable alternatives to finisher T-shirts and medals for those who prefer not to receive them.