Families and friends united today [Saturday 14 March] for the biggest-ever GetPRO Bath Miles presented by Bath College.
About 1,000 people ran, walked, jogged or wheeled around the one-mile route in the sun-bathed grounds of Royal Victoria Park and picked up a finisher medal to mark their achievement.
Setting off first were participants in The Daily Mile and junior parkrun Wave.
The free Miles event was also the perfect shakeout for those running the sold-out GetPRO Bath Half on Sunday, with many marking Mother’s Day by taking part in one of several Family Waves that saw hundreds of people get active.
Bath FitFam led high-energy warm-ups for participants of all ages and abilities.
There was also plenty on offer throughout the day on the park’s Middle Common, including activities from Bath College, plus face painting and circus skills.
Gareth Bethell, who is running tomorrow’s GetPRO Bath Half, took part with his daughter, Sophie, aged 10. They travelled from Swindon to run and enjoy some games in the Event Village.
Sophie said: “It was easier than last year but still a bit hard; it is still a mile. The weather was good, but it also made it hard as it was hot!”
Sophie was impressed with the medal, particularly the braille which spells ‘Finisher’.
“If someone is blind and they get a medal they don’t know what it is, but they do with this,” Sophie said.
Bas and Jessica Bavelaar took part with their son, Teddy (aged five), and daughter, Mabel (aged two).
Bas said: “We loved it, it’s such a good initiative. We took part last year with Teddy and this year Mabel wanted to participate as well.”
Hallie Drew took part with her five-year-old son, Oscar.
She said: “I am very proud of him and we will be back next year, it’s such a nice day.”
Joanna Wales, Event Lead for the GetPRO Bath Miles presented by Bath College, said: “The GetPRO Bath Miles is such a feel-good event. There are fewer things more uplifting than seeing children and families cross the Finish Line with a massive smile on their faces.
“We saw more people, of all ages and abilities, taking part than last year and we hope to see them all, and more, in 2027 - with entries now open. This is the perfect start to a brilliant weekend of activity, with the sold-out GetPRO Bath Half tomorrow set to be a celebration of running, activity and community.”
Entries for the 2027 GetPRO Bath Miles, to be held on Saturday 13 March, are already open, and you can sign up for free now.
The GetPRO Bath Half begins at 10:30 tomorrow [Sunday 15 March], with the elite runners setting off ahead of thousands of participants in the mass field.
There promises to be fierce competition among the elites, with some of the best British distance runners looking to secure qualification for the World Athletics Road Running Championships Half Marathon.
These star athletes include the defending champions Jake Smith – who set a course-record time of 62:20 in 2025 – and Abbie Donnelly, plus Olympians Phil Sesemann, Jess Warner-Judd and Alex Bell. View the full field.
The 2026 GetPRO Bath Half is held on Mother’s Day and the event offers an opportunity for people to celebrate the mums and caregivers in their lives.
There will be a message wall in Royal Victoria Park throughout the weekend for people to leave their own tribute to a loved one (whether they are taking part or not) and finishers can capture a special picture of themselves with GetPRO Finisher polaroids. A full list of family-friendly activities is available on the website.
The Event Village will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 on Sunday.