The BATH HALF
Super-fast, flat and it raises £1.5 million for charity. A great race to target in 2012. Report by Fiona Bugler
“ Bath is a beautiful city, and a tourist
attraction. It’s been designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site and is home to some amazing architecture, including the famous Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney Bridge, as well as the Roman baths. “It’s definitely worth making a
weekend of it… Sadly, for me it was a quick dash in the car from Eastbourne to Watford, then from Watford to Bath, to run in the 30th anniversary of this hugely popular big city race. “Fortunately, I had arrived early enough to enjoy a wander round the runner’s village and soak up the atmosphere in the ‘white pen’, my designated start area.
“The race starts and finishes in Great Pulteney Street with a roadway that’s 46ft wide, one of the widest Georgian boulevards in Europe. The regal feel of the street added to the exciting and special atmosphere of the race.
What an atmosphere! “Conditions were perfect; there was an icy freshness to the air, but no wind or rain. Most of the runners seemed to have paid attention to the race organisers’ suggestion to don an old item of clothing to keep warm, and in amongst the camels and the superheroes were lots of runners in dodgy jumble sale jumpers and sweatshirts. “The race raises £1.5million for
charity, and amongst the aforementioned fancy dress fun-runners was a group dressed as boobs led by TV’s Fearne Cotton, raising money for the breast cancer charity Coppa Feel. “Like many big city races, the atmosphere was celebratory. Eleven thousand people in good spirits and excited, and little side shows going on along the route. There was music, and a group of young actors dressed in varying costumes mingled with and entertained the crowd.
The start
“Being close to the front I was privileged to witness the elites being funnelled into their start just before the gun went off.
40 n RUNNING FREE
MAKING A
DIFFERENCE SPECIAL
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