How to Train for the Bath Half Marathon 2027

The Bath Half Marathon is one of the most popular half marathons in the UK – a fast, flat road race through the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful cities, starting and finishing at the Royal Victoria Park in Bath. The 2027 race takes place on Sunday 14 March 2027 with a 10:30am start, giving you around six months to prepare from now.

Whether you’re a complete beginner targeting your first half marathon or an experienced runner chasing a new PB, this guide covers everything you need to know – from training plans and shoe advice to the best local routes for your long runs.

General entry is £59.99 and places are selling fast. Charity places are also available for Julian House (only 22 entries remaining), Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research UK. Register for the Bath Half Marathon 2027.

Why Run the Bath Half Marathon?

The Bath Half is one of the best-organised and most scenic half marathons in the country. The course is fast and flat – ideal for first-timers and those chasing a PB – and the city’s stunning Georgian architecture makes it a memorable race regardless of your time. The atmosphere is brilliant, with strong crowd support throughout the course and the March date gives you the whole autumn and winter to build your training.

How Long Do I Need to Train for a Half Marathon?

Most training plans for a half marathon run for 10-14 weeks. With the race on 14 March 2027, starting your structured training in December gives you a comfortable 14-week build. However, if you’re new to running or coming back from a break, starting now in September gives you time to build a solid aerobic base before the formal training plan begins – which makes the training itself significantly easier and reduces injury risk.

A rough timeline:

• September – November: Base building – run 3-4 times per week, building to 20-25 miles per week comfortably
• December – early March: Structured half marathon training – weekly long run, tempo sessions, easy miles
• Final 2 weeks: Taper – reduce mileage to arrive at the start line fresh

Half Marathon Training Plan – Key Sessions

The Long Run

The long run is the cornerstone of half marathon training. Run at a conversational pace – slower than you think you need to – and build the distance gradually, increasing by no more than 10% per week. Your longest run before the Bath Half should reach around 10-11 miles, roughly 2-3 weeks before race day. You don’t need to run 13 miles in training – the race day atmosphere will carry you through.

Easy Runs

The majority of your training mileage should be at easy, conversational pace. Most runners run their easy days too fast – if you can’t hold a conversation while running, slow down. Easy running builds aerobic fitness without the recovery cost of harder sessions and forms the foundation of any good training plan.

Tempo Runs

One tempo session per week – running at a “comfortably hard” effort for 20-40 minutes – builds the lactate threshold that determines your half marathon pace. A good guide is to run at a pace you could sustain for about an hour in a race – harder than easy but not all-out effort.

Rest and Recovery

Rest days are as important as running days. Your body adapts and gets stronger during recovery, not during the run itself. Aim for at least one full rest day per week and don’t be afraid to take two if your body needs it.

Best Running Shoes for the Bath Half Marathon

Choosing the right shoe for race day, and for your training, is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The Bath Half is a road race on flat tarmac, so a road running shoe is what you need.

Training Shoes

For the majority of your training runs, a well-cushioned daily trainer is ideal. The extra cushioning protects your legs over the high mileage of half marathon training and keeps you comfortable on longer efforts. Our top picks:

• Brooks Ghost 17 – our most recommended all-round training shoe, versatile and durable enough to handle every session
• HOKA Clifton 10 – lightweight and cushioned, excellent for easy and long run days
• Brooks Glycerin 23 – maximum cushioning for long run days when your legs need extra protection
• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 – our top recommendation if you overpronate, for both training and race day

Race Day Shoes

Many runners choose to race in the same shoe they’ve trained in, which is a perfectly good approach. Comfort and familiarity on race day is more important than marginal weight savings. If you want to race in something lighter and more responsive, the Brooks Hyperion Max 3 is an excellent super-trainer option for runners targeting a strong time.

Important: Never race in shoes you haven’t trained in. Any shoe you wear on race day should have at least 3-4 long runs in it before the Bath Half.

Do I Need a Gait Analysis Before Training?

If you haven’t had a gait analysis before, now is the ideal time before you put significant mileage through your training shoes. Running 300+ miles in the wrong shoe is one of the most common causes of training injuries and a gait analysis takes just 30 minutes to make sure you’re in the right shoe for your mechanics.

At Running Bath we use Footscan technology to analyse your footstrike in detail and recommend the shoes best suited to your gait, foot shape and goals. With the Bath Half coming up in March, getting this right now means you can train confidently through autumn and winter.

Book a gait analysis at Running Bath – we’re located in Bath city centre, close to Bath Abbey.

Best Training Routes for the Bath Half Marathon

The Bath Half is a flat road race, so including flat road running in your training is important – particularly for your tempo sessions and some of your long runs. Here are the best local options:

Bristol and Bath Railway Path

The flat, traffic-free Railway Path is the ideal venue for long runs and tempo sessions. Starting from Bath Spa station, you can run out and back for any distance up to 15 miles. The consistent surface and lack of hills makes it perfect for practising half marathon pace.

River Avon Trail

The riverside path east from Pulteney Bridge towards Bathampton is another excellent flat option for easy and long runs. The out-and-back format means you can control your distance precisely.

Royal Victoria Park

The race starts and finishes at Royal Victoria Park – so including some runs here, particularly as race day approaches, helps you familiarise yourself with the start area and the feel of racing on those streets.

Bath Skyline for Hill Training

While the race is flat, including some hill running in your training builds strength and aerobic capacity that translates directly to faster road running. The Bath Skyline offers excellent hill training and it’s the home of Bath Skyline parkrun every Saturday morning, a great way to maintain race sharpness through your training block.

Read our full guide to running routes in Bath.

What to Wear for the Bath Half Marathon

March in Bath can be anything from mild and sunny to cold and wet – plan for the latter and you won’t be caught out. Race day clothing tips:

• Base layer: A moisture-wicking short or long-sleeve top depending on forecast temperature
• Shorts or tights: Tights for temperatures below 8°C, shorts above that
• Throw-away layer: Many runners start in an old long-sleeve or cheap jacket that they discard at the start line once they warm up – these get collected by race organisers and donated to charity
• No new kit on race day: Only wear clothing you’ve trained in – new kit can cause unexpected chafing over 13 miles

Race Day Tips for the Bath Half Marathon

• Start conservatively – the Bath Half atmosphere is electric and it’s easy to go out too fast. Stick to your target pace for the first 5 miles even if it feels easy
• Use the water stations – take water at every station even if you don’t feel thirsty, particularly if it’s warmer than expected
• Fuel early – if you’re taking gels or chews, take the first one at mile 4-5 rather than waiting until you feel like you need it
• Enjoy it – the Bath Half course is genuinely beautiful. Take a moment to appreciate running through one of the UK’s most stunning cities

Bath Half Marathon 2027 – FAQs

Start Your Bath Half Marathon Training with Running Bath

Whether you need the right training shoes, a gait analysis, or simply some expert advice on how to approach your first half marathon, we’re here to help. Visit us in Bath city centre or shop our full range online. Free UK delivery on orders over £60.

Also useful: Running Routes in Bath – Best Running Shoes for Beginners – Book a Gait Analysis – Running in Autumn