As our favourite event of the year, we’re delighted to share the story behind this important annual fundraiser.
Our staff and supporters have been running in the Bath Half Marathon, known as BATHALF, since Jamie’s Farm first opened its barn doors some 12 years ago. In that time, over £250,000 has been raised through the event.
Set up originally by volunteers from Bath Athletic Club, the event soon outgrew the club’s resources. In 2000, inspired by the opportunity to create an inclusive event with charity at its heart, local residents Andrew and Mel Taylor set up Running High Events and adopted the event.
They transformed it from a traditional competitive race for 2,000 – 3,000 club-athletes on partially closed roads alongside live traffic, into a mass participation event for 15,000 runners of all abilities on a beautiful traffic-free course across the city. Whilst many road races are organised by large companies, BATHALF remains a small team, offering charities discounted entries and a fantastic platform for fundraising, helping Jamie’s Farm, and many other charities, to raise much-needed funds. Although the event, like many other public events, had to take a break during the Coronavirus pandemic, it returned in 2022 with Jamie’s Farm named as that year’s Local Lead Charity.
In the 21 years that Andrew and Mel have been involved, a whopping £30 million has been raised for charity. It is not surprising that it has become the largest sporting and charity fundraising event in the South-West region.
and Andrew (Bath Half)
We can’t wait to fill the 2023 course will a sea of Jamie’s Farm running t-shirts. Join #TeamJF today and not only will you help transform young lives, but you will become part of BATHALF’s very special story.
