Bath Half Marathon to host official British Athletics trial race
If you’re a promising British runner with particular prowess over 13.1 miles, now’s your chance to race your way from South West England to the other side of the world. Specifically, from the Bath Half Marathon to the World Athletics Road Running Championships Half Marathon in the Californian city of San Diego.
That’s because the 2025 Bath Half Marathon, which will be staged on Sunday 16 March, has been announced as the official British Athletics trial race for this year’s Championships, where some of the greatest athletes on the planet will compete for the women’s and men’s world half marathon titles.
Taking place from 26-28 September, the 2025 World Athletics Road Running Championships will showcase the very best of elite-level running across distances. While the first two days will host women’s and men’s races for the road mile then the 5K, the half marathon competitions will wrap up proceedings on the final day.
Although general entries for the 2025 Bath Half Marathon have already sold out, athletes who want to take part in the British Athletics trial race can now apply for an elite place in the event.
To be eligible to wear an elite bib at the 2025 Bath Half Marathon, applicants must have run a half marathon in under 74 minutes (women) or 65 minutes (men) within the past two years. In addition, all elite runners who are invited to participate in the official trial race must be able to compete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the day (Sunday 16 March).
To apply for consideration, runners should email Spencer Barden, London Marathon Events’ Head of Elite Athletes, or Tom Craggs, UK Athletics’ National Endurance Manager (and contributor for Runner’s World UK), by Friday 28 February 2025.
This year’s Bath Half Marathon will also include an Elite Age Group category for the UK’s best veteran runners – representing the 40 and above age categories – who have run specific qualifying times at a half marathon event on or after Monday 1 January 2024. Runners can enter here for a fee of £25. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 31 January 2025.
Held in the beautiful Somerset city of Bath almost every year since 1982, the year after the first-ever running of the London Marathon, the Bath Half Marathon is one of the longest-standing and best-loved road races in the country. It also boasts a particularly flat, PB-philic course, making it an optimal choice for anyone seeking a rapid time – including those lining up for the British Athletics trial race.
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