Fun and excitement for volunteers at the 2025 GetPRO Bath Half
Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March saw thousands of runners turn out for the 2025 GetPRO Bath Half, one of the largest running events in the South West, which has been welcoming runners to the city since 1982. Many were running to raise money for good causes, to achieve personal goals or to secure a PB.
Last year, it was revealed that London Marathon Events (LME), known for world-famous races including the London Marathon and the Big Half, would take over as the new organiser of the event, with support from Run 4 Wales. With a vision of ‘Inspiring Activity’, LME hopes to grow the Bath Half Marathon and encourage people in local communities to embrace exercise and lead healthier, more active lives.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director at LME, said: “The Bath Half is a wonderful event in a beautiful setting. We look forward to working with Bath and North East Somerset Council to grow the event over the next five years and inspire activity in local communities and schools.”
2025 proved to be the biggest edition of the Bath Half to date, with thousands of runners, spectators and volunteers supporting the event. Mass participation events can’t take place without the support of volunteers and we wanted to look a little more closely at the contribution the volunteer team made to the weekend and what inspired them to take part.
Over 400 volunteers chose to give up their time this weekend to give out medals and t shirts at the finish line, look after runners bags in the baggage marquees and support runners on course, at the water and gels stations or as cycle marshals, pacers and back markers. Around the route, which takes in the stunning Georgian architecture that Bath is known for, as well as the River Avon and the surrounding countryside, more than 200 volunteers gave out water and sports gels, helped pedestrians cross the running route and shouted encouragement and directions at the runners.
We invited both individual volunteers as well as local young person groups and community groups to come along and get involved.
Dee Mulcahy, Unit Leader of the South Gloucestershire Volunteer Police Cadets told us: “As Volunteer Police Cadets we want to help in our communities and being part of the volunteer group at the recent Bath Half Marathon gave us that opportunity. It was an exciting experience setting up the water stations, handing out cups of water and cheering all the runners on. We felt like we made a difference and hopefully helped the runners achieve their best. Being able to help others is why we volunteer as police cadets and we look forward to coming back next year.”
The Police Cadets were one of nine groups who volunteered on the course. They handed out thousands of paper cups of water, cheered on the runners and had a great time.
Darrell Harding, Head of Boarding at Kingswood School, who volunteered with his students said: “We all had a fun time, and I was really proud of what great ambassadors the students were for Kingswood. I am sure to have lots to help again next year, especially if we can be on the water station again. As there were over thirty staff and students running, it was fantastic to be able to give them water and cheer them on.”
Also on the course were regular Bath Half volunteers the 93rd Bath RAF Air Cadets, who were joined this year by their colleagues from 2386 Keynsham squadron. Flight Lieutenant Chelsea said: “It was a fantastic day and it was good to spend it supporting the local community.” They are already looking forward to volunteering again next year!
Runners at Mile 7 water station may have noticed support from Bath and Bristol Gym Group, who were excited to have the chance to cheer on many of their members who were participating. Dan Cole, Dual Site General Manager at Bath and Bristol Gym Group, organised a group of over 30 Gym Group members to volunteer and also brought along his 12 year old son. Max is autistic and has some challenges with crowds of people but Dan said: “He absolutely loved it! Cheering on the runners and getting involved – I couldn’t have been prouder. He has even asked to volunteer at other events!”
Back at the finish line over one hundred volunteers, including students from the Bath University V Team, prepared cups of water, hung medals and sorted t-shirts waiting excitedly for the first runners to make it home. This year the Bath Half was also the official trial race for the 2025 World Athletics Road Running Championships Half Marathon. Amazingly the first runner home, Jake Williams, crossed the finish line with a time of 62:20, while Abbie Donnelly took the womens title with a time of 69:54, which is the third fastest winning time in the history of the Bath Half Marathon!
We’d like to thank all our volunteers for giving up their time to support the event and the runners, with a special thank you going to all the group leaders who worked tirelessly to mobilise and organise their volunteers, with group volunteers making up 80% of volunteer numbers. We can’t wait to see you again next year!
If you’re part of a group who would like to be involved in 2026, please get in touch with our friendly volunteer team. We also welcome employer supported volunteering at all our events. If your organisation offers corporate volunteering days and you would like to know more, send an email to volunteers@run4wales.org
To volunteer at another Run 4 Wales event, check out our event calendar here Join the R4W Race Volunteer Team – Run 4 Wales (R4W) Our next event is ABP Newport Marathon Festival on Sunday 13th April. We’re looking for support at the water stations, the start-finish area and the runners bag drop. Come along and join us!
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