Bath Two Tunnels Railway Races (50km, Marathon, Half, 10km, 5km, Colourburst)
From Relish Running races
- Date Sun 20th August 2023
- Time 10:00
- Location Bath, Bath and North East Somerset
- Price £10.00 - £115.00
- Races 9 races
- Distances 5km, 10km, Marathon, Ultra
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Bath Two Tunnels Railway Races (50km, Marathon, Half, 10km, 5km, Colourburst)
Sun 20th August 2023
Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable running experience at the Bath Two Tunnels Railway Races, taking place on Sunday, August 20th, 2023, in the beautiful city of Bath, Bath and North East Somerset! Organised by Relish Running races, this unique event offers a variety of race distances to suit all runners, including a thrilling 50km ultra marathon, marathon, three different half marathons, two 10km races, a 5km run, and a fun-filled Colourburst for all ages.
What makes this event truly special is the chance to run through the longest underground sections for each race distance in the UK, with the historic Devonshire and Combe Down Tunnels providing a stunning backdrop to your race. These recently revitalised tunnels offer a well-lit, flat path that showcases Bath's stunning attractions while providing a unique running experience. The start and finish line will be at Brickfields Park, a perfect spot for families to gather, enjoy a picnic, and cheer on their loved ones. Plus, by participating, you'll be supporting Sustrans' efforts to maintain these beautiful tunnels, with a £1 contribution for every runner. Join us for a day of fun, fitness, and community spirit at the Bath Two
What makes this event truly special is the chance to run through the longest underground sections for each race distance in the UK, with the historic Devonshire and Combe Down Tunnels providing a stunning backdrop to your race. These recently revitalised tunnels offer a well-lit, flat path that showcases Bath's stunning attractions while providing a unique running experience. The start and finish line will be at Brickfields Park, a perfect spot for families to gather, enjoy a picnic, and cheer on their loved ones. Plus, by participating, you'll be supporting Sustrans' efforts to maintain these beautiful tunnels, with a £1 contribution for every runner. Join us for a day of fun, fitness, and community spirit at the Bath Two
Bath Two Tunnels Railway Races (50km, Marathon, Half, 10km, 5km, Colourburst)
Sun 20th August 2023
Organiser's Description
A truly special race that not only takes in many of Bath's beautiful attractions, but also has the longest underground section for each race distance in the UK!
Cutting right under the city of the Bath, the two tunnels offer a truly unique running experience. The Somerset & Dorset Railway closed in 1966 and until April 2013, the tunnels had been sealed and inaccessible. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Two Tunnels Group and Sustrans over a period of 7 years, the two tunnels now have a new lease of life as a shared use path. The first tunnel, the Devonshire Tunnel is 408m long and the second tunnel, Combe Down Tunnel is 1672m long. Both tunnels are well lit and well surfaced and have recently been converted into a shared use path for the enjoyment of runners, walkers and cyclists looking to make the most of the city whilst remaining on flatter ground.
With an ultra marathon, 50km relay, marathon, 3 different half marathons, 2 different 10kms, 5km, 2km and 500m Colourburst races there are events for all the family, and if they are not taking part, bring your friends and family to cheer you on. Our start and finish is at Brickfields Park in the middle of the city which also has a children's play ground and is a great spot to sit and enjoy a picnic after the race.
We are very happy to be supporting the ongoing work of Sustrans in maintaining the Two Tunnels by contributing £1 per runner to their charity. Looking to fund raise as part of your run, why not raise money for Sustrans? You will get a lovely free running vest and other goodies. Find our more here. In 2019 we donated £5,254 to Sustrans
Cutting right under the city of the Bath, the two tunnels offer a truly unique running experience. The Somerset & Dorset Railway closed in 1966 and until April 2013, the tunnels had been sealed and inaccessible. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Two Tunnels Group and Sustrans over a period of 7 years, the two tunnels now have a new lease of life as a shared use path. The first tunnel, the Devonshire Tunnel is 408m long and the second tunnel, Combe Down Tunnel is 1672m long. Both tunnels are well lit and well surfaced and have recently been converted into a shared use path for the enjoyment of runners, walkers and cyclists looking to make the most of the city whilst remaining on flatter ground.
With an ultra marathon, 50km relay, marathon, 3 different half marathons, 2 different 10kms, 5km, 2km and 500m Colourburst races there are events for all the family, and if they are not taking part, bring your friends and family to cheer you on. Our start and finish is at Brickfields Park in the middle of the city which also has a children's play ground and is a great spot to sit and enjoy a picnic after the race.
We are very happy to be supporting the ongoing work of Sustrans in maintaining the Two Tunnels by contributing £1 per runner to their charity. Looking to fund raise as part of your run, why not raise money for Sustrans? You will get a lovely free running vest and other goodies. Find our more here. In 2019 we donated £5,254 to Sustrans
Races
-
500m Colourburst
No Min Age
£10.00
CLOSED -
2 Km Colourburst
No Min Age
£12.00
CLOSED -
5km
Min Age 12yrs
£20.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
CLOSED -
10 Km
Min Age 16yrs
£25.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
CLOSED -
Half Marathon Entry
Min Age 17
£35.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
CLOSED -
Marathon
Min Age 18
£45.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
CLOSED -
50km Solo
MIn Age 20
£50.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
CLOSED -
50k Pair
Min Age 17 if Running 20km, Min Age 18 if Running 30km
£60.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
CLOSED -
5x10k Relay
Min Age 17
£115.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
CLOSED
Course Details
Some distances have multiple route options, known as Tickets, across the year, some repeated on each date, others available only once a year. Click the links to find out more about the 10km and Half Marathon routes. You can enter one or more races at any time.
You can run multiple races on each day, please just make sure that the schedule would allow for this. Please allow some extra time between races as we hope to be able to reduce the time intervals between the races as normality returns.
The 5km, 10km and 50km have been officially measured and are perfect for a fast time and hunting down a new PB
The Half and Marathon are a smidge over distance, still flat and fast, but a more scenic type of route.
Reviews
- 5
- 4
- 3
- 2
- 1
4.6
26 reviews
I ran the Two tunnels as my First half. It was super organised, having done the Bristol 10k earlier in the week, The support the staff and volunteers gave during the race was incredible, the refreshments and drinks at the stops were great and there was plenty of them around. Thank you for a great experience. Would have given 5/5, as it did say no headphones so I did not bring any(due to disqualification), however loads of people ran with theirs, so was a little frustrating that the message was not conveyed.
I ran the marathon but before the race I received no race information and had to get everything searching on the site to get answers.
The course is good just a shame about the incline towards the end which is demoralising.
Hi Nicola
The full race information was on our website 10 weeks before the event, on the Event Info page on our website. An email was sent to all runners on the Monday of race week, with a few key reminders and further directing runners to the info page. Unfortunately emails sometimes get picked up by spam filters, but all the info was there in plenty of time :-)
Lovely race, welcoming of all abilities, smiling and cheering marshals, and I loved running through the tunnels, especially on a warm June day. The route is shared with the public so you'll get a few cyclists overtaking but they were all respectful and shared the path (as did the runners).
Well organised as ever, and it was quite a novelty to run through the two tunnels! My only slight gripe was that I had quite a long wait for the shuttle bus back to the P&R car park, but this didn't detract from a most enjoyable experience. For future entrants, I would definitely recommend wearing a headlight, as the lighting in the tunnels is quite dim.
I really liked running the tunnels, very cool temperature as your doing the half marathon return so allowed me to go faster, I would bring a headlight. Need to work on how to start the race so we don't do the precarious mud slide down to the path....maybe throw down some gravel or bark?
The marshals were great
Enjoyed the race and got a half marathon PB
David
·2 years ago
Great run, very well organised. Fairly flat for Bath, and the tunnels make the run interesting as well as breaking up the run.
Big shout out to all of the volunteers who help to make it a great day.
Trina
·2 years ago
Really great race!
Very well organised with friendly encouraging marshals. I'm definitely looking forward to gaining the second half of my medal in the next race!
If you haven't ran in March then get yourself booked on for June!!
Thank you to everyone that made the race a success and well done to all who participated!
Tim
·2 years ago
This was my first marathon and I'm very pleased I chose Relish running and this event. The course had a lot of variation that keeps you going taking in some beautiful areas on the edge of Bath and within. I was also lucky enough to win a prize which I wasnt expecting! I had an email to say I could choose another race as a prize. Looking forward to picking one, it won't be the last with Relish! Thanks, Tim Sutton
Harry
·2 years ago
Great route - but the path is not closed off so a little scary with some members of public on bikes going way too fast.
Overall a good event and the tunnels are cool!
Sam
·2 years ago
Excellent race, I did the return half (deceptive early hill for a flat course) and had a great time doing it. Everyone was super nice and the post-race snacks were excellent. Lots to do for the families during the event too. Best race I've ever done!
Alex
·2 years ago
Lovely race. Not too many people, well run and really enjoyed running through the tunnels
Lovely scenery and great support. This is a lovely scenic route; lots of miles along the canal, some beautiful views of the viaducts and the tunnel stretches kept things interesting. The support was excellent and the Marathon ran smoothly. This had a very relaxed and friendly feel to the day. There was no on site parking and the park and ride was a bit of a faff for being so far away from the city centre, similarly, the start/finish line are a little away from the city centre making it a bit tricky for family to support. The route map could be a little clearer to help family track the route and offer support, but the route was very clear on the day itself.
If the start/finish were in a more central location, or a closer park and ride was arranged, I'd definitely give this five stars - but the positives; a beautiful route, organised well, with super friendly people gets this four stars from me.
10k route. I was so impressed on how well organised it was! The 10k route is nice and flat as you would imagine it would be being an old railway line. Lovely and cool through the tunnels, really impressive! If you’re at your infancy in running or you want a PB then this is ideal!! This is definitely one for my running event calendar!!
Underground, overground..... Interesting, well-organised race through tunnels, villages and along a great stretch of towpath; brilliantly marshalled throughout; main difficulty apart from the relentlessness of waterside miles was weaving through Sunday crowds in the city centre stretches; rates high as a 'special' race.
Gemma
·5 years ago
Half marathon route. There is a cheeky bit of hill work mile 3-4 then goes flat along the canal found it difficult with lack of support on this part, very very cheeky hill at the end but was well organised
Angus
·5 years ago
So much fun.
Bath Two Tunnels Railway Races (50km, Marathon, Half, 10km, 5km, Colourburst)
