The Vitality Bath Half Marathon, which was founded in 1982, has retained an unchanged course since 2006. However, it has been announced that the race, which runs on the 12th March, will need to be slightly diverted this year around the North Quays development. This change has resulted in some minor alterations to the race route and amended arrangements for drivers on race day.
The changes mainly affect Ambury, Corn Street and Kingsmead Square.
However, the Avon Street car and coach parks will not be accessible from 9.45 a.m. on race day until the final runner has passed through (expected to be by 2 p.m). Stewards will be positioned at the car park on race day to help visitors. Spectators and competitors are encouraged to use public transport on race day, including the council’s three park and ride sites, or alternative city centre car parks. Charlotte Street long stay car park has capacity for 1,000 vehicles. First Great Western will also be providing additional train services for the half marathon, both before and after the race. Buses that would normally access Avon Street will be re-routed through Kingsmead Square on the morning of 12th March.
The event organiser, Running High Events Ltd, and Bath and North East Somerset Council have been working together to prepare a revised route and agree traffic management arrangements to ensure that inconvenience is kept to a minimum and continue to provide the best possible race route.
Race Director, Andrew Taylor, from Running High Events, said: “The Vitality Bath Half Marathon is a hugely popular sold out road race and we have been very fortunate to have had an unchanged course for the last eleven years. The diversion around Corn Street will add about 60 metres to the course and we can accommodate this by adjusting the position of the start and finish line in Great Pulteney Street. We look forward to welcoming 15,000 runners, over 130 charities and over 40,000 supporters to Bath and the race on the 12th March.”
Further information about the half marathon road closures, parking suspensions and diversion routes can be found on the event website at: www.bathhalf.co.uk/race-day/information-for-residents-businesses/Running High can be contacted on the day of the event on: 01225 422255.
Go to www.bathhalf.co.uk for further details, like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/BathHalfMarathon and follow @bathhalf #bathhalf on Twitter to keep up to date with all the latest news about the Vitality Bath Half Marathon.