A truly special race that not only takes in many of Bath's beautiful attractions but also has the longest underground sections of any running race in the UK!
Cutting right under the city of Bath, the two tunnels offer a truly unique running experience. The Somerset & Dorset Railway closed in 1966 and until April 2013 the tunnels have been sealed and inaccessible. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Two Tunnels Group and Sustrans over 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 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 enjoyments of runners, walkers and cyclists looking to make the most of the city whilst remaining a flatter ground.
With an ultra marathon, 50km relay, marathon, 3 different half marathons, 2 different 10kms, 5kms, 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 will be in Brickfields Park in the middle of the city. A green park complete with children's playground and table tennis table, 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. Why not use your run to raise money for Sustrans. You'll get a lovely free running vest and other goodies. Find out more here. In 2018 we donated £4,283 to Sustrans.
Register
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 Info buttons below for more details.
Sign up for all four 5km or 10kms and get a race for FREE! Please use the series registration option on the form.
Two Tunnels Mini Challenge = 5km + 10km + Half. Two Tunnels Challenge = 10km + Half + Marathon. If you run these combination of events over the year year, not only will you take home 3 medals, but also a laser engraved glass trophy which is awarded to ALL finishers. You can run the 5km and 10km on one date if you wish, by selecting 5km wave 1 and 10km wave 6. And if you are feeling really brave, you can run the 5km, 10km and Half Marathon on one day. For more information please see the Two Tunnels Challenge page.
All runners collect a custom medal each race and there are four medals to collect over the year, scroll down for medal and trophy.
Format
These events are set off in waves of approximately 100 runners set off every 10mins. This is because of the relatively narrow nature of the route. Each distance (5km, 10km, Half Marathon, Marathon) will have multiple waves to choose from when you register. The waves are organised by predicted finish time, with one wave open to runners of all predicted finish times to make it easier for people who wish to travel together. Please confer with friends and family before you register to ensure you select the same wave if you wish to start together. The different start times are fully accounted for in the results so you pick any wave and get an accurate finish time.
Notes
Please note there is a cut off of 3hrs for the marathon runners to complete the first lap (approx 13.3 miles). After this time runners will have to complete the half marathon course, they can still collect a half medal but unfortunately we won't be able to provide a finish time. There are no cut offs for the other distances.
Runners with buggies are very welcome for the 5km, Return Ticket 10km and Return Ticket Half Marathons races only, the other routes have gates, steps or stiles which make them unsuitable for buggies. If you are running with a buggy you need to start at the back of your wave as there is some narrow, uneven ground after 150m for which it would be best if you were not in the middle of a group. Unfortunately none of the events are suitable for canicross.
Please note prices are £2 extra for on the day registrations. £5 extra for Mini Challenge/Challenge on the day.
Build the interlocking medal set across the series, the more races you do the bigger your final medal! If you complete one of our Mini Challenge or Challenge series of events, you will be rewarded with a unique glass trophy, for everyone who complete the race set, not just the winners!
Please note that runners collect 1 medal per race. Mini Challenge/Challenge runners will collect 3 medals + 1 glass trophy from completing that series. In order to collect the 4th medal a fourth race needs to be completed.
2019 Medal set shown below! This year our medal shows two trains getting ready to depart the Two Tunnels station.
(Want to complete your 2018 medal set? These medals are now available in our virtual races)
Prizes
All our runners receive a top of the range custom medal, as well as a buffet of fresh fruit and other tasty treats. We also recognise a few of the speedy runners on the following basis.
Prize Categories
Top 3 men and top 3 ladies
First U20 male and female
First 20-30 male and female
First 40-49 male and female
First 50-59 male and female
First 60+ male and female
The final number of prizes awarded is determined by the total number of finishers (male and female combined) in a given race distance. If there are more than 100 finishers then the full range of awards are made as shown above. It there are between 50 and 100 finishers then the top 3 male and top 3 female runners will receive a prize. If there are less than 50 finishers then the first male and first female finisher will be awarded a prize. We do not have any winner's prizes for any of the children's events as we would like to keep this participation focused.
Beast of Bath Challenge
The Beast of Bath Challenge events see runners taking on all the steepest hills of the Bath countryside. With 3 events, incorporating the Two Tunnels races on 12th May, located on different hills surrounding the city runners will enjoy the very best views of Bath on these tough off road running races. Whilst it is unlikely you will set a PB on any of these courses, you will enjoy a unique challenge and be crowned a Beat of Bath runner for taming all the hills of this beautiful city.
All finishers of the Beast of Bath Challenge will not only take home 3 medals from these events, but also a laser engraved glass trophy upon completion of the final event in the series.
Mini Beast = Pipley Wood 5km (10th Feb) + Two Tunnels Hilly 10km (12th May) + Bath Run Fest Long Half (28th July)
