The event will host the half-marathon trial of the 2026 World Championships in Athletics.
The 2026 Bath Half Marathon (March 15) will host British Athletics’ official trial race for next year’s World Athletics Championships Half Marathon.
Athletes who have run faster than 65 minutes (men) and 74 minutes (women) since January 1, 2024 can apply for the test to be included in the elite field.
Next year’s championships, the second after Riga under the current name, will be held in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark (September 19-20). The half marathon concludes the race weekend.
UK Athletics will confirm its full selection criteria for the championships, including qualifying times, in the coming months.
This is the second consecutive year that the Bath Half has included British Athletics’ test race for the World Athletics Road Championships Half Marathon. The 2025 edition was won by Jake Smith in 62:20 and Abby Donnelly in 69:54, although the San Diego World Championships were later cancelled.
Spencer Burden, Head of Elite Athletes for the London Marathon events, said: “We are delighted that the 2026 GetPRO Bath Half Marathon will be British Athletics’ official test race for the World Athletics Road Championships Half Marathon in Copenhagen.
“The Bath Half has a rich history of hosting the best distance runners in the UK and I’m sure the prospect of winning international honors will attract the latest generation of talent to the city next March.”
The half pool prize money for 2026 has been increased and is as follows:
1st: £3,000
2nd: £2,000
3rd: £1,500
4th: £1,000
Entries are free and must be submitted no later than March 1, 2026. All entrants must be eligible to compete for GB & NI on race day (15 March 2026) and qualify in a half marathon recognized and approved by an official athletics governing body.
Athletes who have run faster than 70 minutes (male) and 83 minutes (female) but do not qualify for the elite start can enter half of the Bath for half price. The cost to attend is £28.25, a 50% discount on the general entry fee.
Entry dates must be achieved from 1 January 2024 and come from a half marathon recognized and approved by an official athletics governing body. Applications must be submitted by November 27, 2025. The deadline for registration and payment of successful bids is December 11, 2025.
Athletes who wish to apply to be included in the official trial race should email (email protected).
To apply, please fill out the form. 2026 GetPRO Bath Half Championship bid
The Bath Half is two laps through the historic city, starting and finishing on the Royal Avenue opposite the world-famous Royal Mace.
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