Annual seafront running event with Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and 1K Kids Fun Run along Bournemouth's coastline, supporting local charities.
The Bournemouth Bay Run returns to the seafront on Sunday 21 March 2027, starting near Pier Approach. It's a full day of running along a seven-mile stretch of golden sand, and there's a distance for just about everyone: the Half Marathon, a 10K, a 5K, and a 1K Kids Fun Run. If you're chasing a league spot, the Half Marathon counts as 4/12 of the Dorset Road Race League fixtures, so it's one of the bigger days of the season for those keeping track.
What really defines the day, though, is the charity side of things. The whole event is built around local causes, and this year's line-up covers a fair bit of ground. There's Dorset Mind, a mental health charity that's been raising awareness and providing support in Dorset communities since 1946; Bournemouth Foodbank, part of the Trussell network and running a 'Race for Food' fundraising programme; Forest Holme Hospice; and HealthBus Trust, which brings healthcare to people experiencing homelessness. Hot Radio is the official radio sponsor on the day.
There's also a clear effort to keep the footprint small. The organisers commit to an environmentally friendly approach, with boxed water and paper cups at the water stations, cardboard boxes for t-shirts, online goody bags, and no single-use plastic bottles. Wheelchair entries are available across the board, so it's open to more than just the runners on foot.
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It's a big day on the coast, with the Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and 1K Kids Fun Run all running on the same day, starting near Pier Approach on Sunday 21 March 2027.
