Why run at the Two Tunnels
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.
Essentials
When: 12th March, 4th June, 20th August 2023. Start Times are from 10:00. The Colourburst runs and Ultra runs start earlier, please see the Provisional Schedule for details.
Location: Brickfields Park, Bath, BA2 1LX - NO ON SITE PARKING. What3Words /// joke.rock.banana
Transport & Parking: If you are arriving by car then you need to park at Odd Down Park & Ride, BA2 8PA. What3Words /// pets.shops.stops and catch the shuttle bus to the race park. Please see the Event Info page for details.
Bike racking is provided for cyclists, please bring your own lock.The nearest train station is Oldfield Park which is 800m from the start/finish. Bath Spa Train Station will have more frequent services and is 2 miles from the start/finish.
Distances: We have a Colourburst, 5km, 10km, Half Marathon, Marathon, 50km Solo, 50km Pair and 5x10km Relay to choose from. The 5km, Return Ticket 10km, Return Ticket Half Marathon, 50km Solo/Pair and 5 x 10km Relay races are all officially measured by UK Athletics.
There is a 3hr cut off for runners to start lap 2 of the marathon. There is an 8.5hr cut off for the 50km. There are no cut offs for the other distances, though please note the races are not open to pure walkers, but we always welcome people who will do a mix of run, jog and walk their way around our routes.
Register: Register here for the February, June or August races. Different routes and distances available on different dates. Colourburst (£10-£12), 5km (£22), 10km (£27), Half Marathon (£38), Marathon (£49), 50km Solo (£55), 50km Pair (£65), 5 x 10km Relay (£120). Discount of £2 for UK Athletics affiliated runners.
Group discounts: Find out more here. 10-19 runners save 15%, 20-49 runners save 20%, 50+ runners save 25%. Runners can include any mix of distances to reach the 10 runner minimum, everyone just needs to be racing on the same date.
Format: We set off runners in waves of ~100 runners so everyone has plenty of space to enjoy their run. When you register you will be given the option to select a wave, please share your wave selection with your friends or family so you can start together.
Drinks Stations: There are no drinks station on the 5km. There is 1 feast station on the 10km and 3-5 feast stations on the Half Marathon, 9 feast stations on the Marathon and 9 feast stations for the 50km. There will be water, electrolyte to drink and a mix of food including GF, DF and vegan snacks around the course and again at the finish.
Medals: All runners of 5km and longer distances will take home a large 10cm x 10cm, 2 sided medal specific to this event. Fun run medals may be a mix of designs.
Terrain: All our courses are very comprehensively marked and well marshalled so you can relax and enjoy your run. The Return Ticket Routes (5km, 10km, Half, 50km) are essentially 100% tarmac, aside from a small amount on grass at the start and finish. The Hilly Ticket Routes (10km, Half) are a mix of tarmac, woodland trail and stone paths. The City Ticket Routes (Half, Marathon) are all on a very solid surface, a mix of tarmac, canal towpath and river path.
Register and Routes
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. Provisional schedules can be found here.
Please note prices are £2 extra for on the day registrations. 10-19 runners save 15%, 20-49 runners save 20%, 50+ runners save 25%. All bookings must be made in advance of race day to qualify for the discounted rate. We ask all groups to be registered at least four weeks in advance of the race date to we have the opportunity to top up our medal order if necessary.
18th August
Other Info
Facilities: There are on site toilets, coffee and food vans There is a bag drop. There are no changing rooms.
Photos: Professional photos will be available to purchase within 48hrs of the event from our photographer's website here.
Buggy or Canicross runners: The 5km, 10km Return Ticket and Half Marathon Return Ticket routes are suitable for buggy runners but this event is not open to canicross runners.
Spectators: Spectators are very welcome. The best place to view the races from is the start/finish. It is possible to watch the City Ticket Half and Marathon races in the centre of town, but it will be difficult to beat your runners back to the finish line.
FAQs: Please see our FAQ Page if you have any more questions and you can contact us from there is you would still like assistance.
Prizes
All our finishers 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 male and top 3 female
- First U20 male and female
- First 20-39 male and female
- First 40-49 male and female
- First 50-59 male and female
- First 60-69 male and female
- First 70+ male and female
The final number of prizes awarded is determined by the number of finishers for each gender in a given race distance. If there are more than 100 finishers then the full range range of awards are made as shown above. If there are less than 50-100 finishers then the top 3 finishers overall will be awarded a prize. If there are less than 50 then only the winner will be awarded a prize. We do not have any winner's prizes for any of the children's events as would like to keep this participation focused.
There is no on the day prize giving because of the multi wave, multi start time format of the events. Prize winners will be contacted mid week via email.