Bedford Half Marathon

The Bedford Half Marathon starts and finishes in Russell Park on The Embankment beside the River Great Ouse in Bedford, on the Sunday morning of the ATW Bedford Running Festival weekend. The course is flat and fast, run on closed roads and traffic-free cycle paths through the town, with only around 20 metres of elevation gain over the full 13.1 miles. Starting alongside the longer 20 Mile race, the route shares its opening miles with that event before the two distances diverge. The minimal elevation and closed-road surface consistently produce quick times, making it a popular choice for both first-time half marathoners and experienced club runners chasing a personal best. Finishers return to the festival village for live music, food and a bar, with every runner receiving a custom-designed medal and a bonus reward for completing multiple distances across the weekend.