For many of you, this coming weekend will be the culmination of months of training and hard work, pounding the pavements in preparation for this year’s Bath Half Marathon. The finishing touches of the event are being put in place - the road closure signs are up, the runner’s village is being established, and according to the weather forecast (at the start of the week) we have clear blue skies for race day!
Each year the Bath Half Marathon strives to get better and better, meeting runners and local residents needs; to try and deliver the best experience possible. As with every mass participation event of this size, problems can occur, but event organisers, Running High, have put together some advice to help the big day go as smoothly as possible.
Arrive early: If you are driving in to the city please try to arrive as early as possible to ensure you get a car parking space. After 8am they tend to fill up pretty fast. The Park & Ride capacity has been increased 30% this year, with additional buses services being organised by the council on all routes plus additional spaces at Bath Racecourse (weather dependent as on grass). Bath Racecourse are also organising a separate pre-bookable premium car parking service with reserved parking & separate buses at www.bath-racecourse.co.uk /01225 424609. Once the Park & Rides are full there will be plenty of spaces in the city centre car parks including Charlotte Street & Avon Street (within walking distance of race start). The new Southgate Shopping Centre is doing a special parking deal for Bath Half runners (£5 for full day parking). Despite all these measures, there are still only 3,000 (maximum) places for 15,000 runners and 30,000 spectators so be prepared for queues and try to car share or take the train in if you can – First Great Western are running additional services - see event website for details of additional services. Starting on time:
The race is scheduled to start at 11am, with road closures in place from 10am on the course. Organisers will begin moving runners to the start line on Great Pulteney Street from 10am onwards and it could take up to 30mins to move from the runner’s village to the start due to the volume of people. Study your race pack to see which colour start bay you are in. Every measure has been taken this year to ensure that the race will start on time and there will only be one start for all runners – no wave start. Moving around the race site:
To ease congestion on Great Pulteney Street and in the runner’s village there will be a one way pedestrian flow this year – for entry to the Runners Village, competitors and spectators will be directed to use the Sports Centre gate via North Parade Road (or the turnstile entrance via Edward Street). The Riverside gate and Grove Street will be exit only. Stewards will be in place to assist. The start bay is 30% bigger and the finish area has doubled in size. Race numbers are at capacity (15,000); they have not increased from last year. Familiarise yourself with the race site before you are called to the start line and check out the Runner’s Village which will house the New Balance retail tent and Shoop-la, Lucozade Sport Performance Zone, charity marquees, CBS bus, information stand, first aid, baggage storage, pre and post race massage (for Fire Fighters Charity and Dorothy House Hospice) and food/drinks stands.
Fun Runners:
The Fun Run starts at 11.15am from the same start/finish area on Great Pulteney Street. Runners need to assemble on Edward Street before 11am. You will be able to watch the half marathon start from here. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Parents of older unaccompanied children must take them to the start line and meet them at the finish.
Spectator spots:
If you are coming to spectate the race be warned that the start and finish area does become very crowded so those who struggle with intense crowds and families with pushchairs may want to seek alternative spots on the course such as Victoria Park. If you are intending to meet competitors after the race, make sure you arrange a spot somewhere in the runner’s village beforehand. Fitness and medical issues:
If you have any questions of this nature, to do with nutrition, hydration and medical problems, please consult the website www.runnersmedicalresource.com for advice. If you feel at all unwell on race day or are unsure if you should take part, seek assistance and if in doubt don’t run. See yourself on the big screen:
BBC Bristol is providing the race with huge TV screen, which will be filming runners on the home straight down Great Pulteney Street, so make sure you smile for the camera! The screen will be placed by the Museum. See your name in the paper:
Don’t forget to claim your free copy of the Bath Chronicle on March 11, which will contain the full race results and photos from the day. Simply take the voucher in your race guide in to a stockist.
And finally:
Make sure you enjoy the day! Running a half marathon is a huge achievement and you should congratulate yourself on all your hard work getting to the finish line! To take home a lasting memory of the day, why not get your medal engraved in the runner’s village.
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