Run Bournemouth raises more than £500,000 for charity
It took place over the weekend
Thousands of runners have taken to the Dorset coastline for Run Bournemouth 2026, raising more than £500,000 for charitable causes.
Participants of all ages and abilities took part across the weekend, with six events, ranging from the Kids’ Kilometre, to the flagship Bournemouth Half Marathon.
The weekend began with the Junior 2K, Junior 1.5K and Kids’ Kilometre, before the Supernova 5K brought Saturday’s racing to a close at dusk. Yesterday (Sunday), runners returned to the seafront, for the fast and flat Supersonic 10K and Bournemouth Half Marathon.
The scenic coastal courses took runners past some of Bournemouth’s best-known landmarks, including Bournemouth and Boscombe piers, before they crossed the finish line, in front of cheering crowds.
Yesterday’s action culminated in the Bournemouth Half Marathon, where Oluwatosin Adedeji (Newham & Essex Beagles AC) led the men’s field home in 01:06:07. Christian Hewitt (Tiverton Harriers) secured second place in 01:09:02, while Ollie Garrod (Belgrave Harriers) completed the podium, with a time of 01:11:54.
In the women’s race, Cara Fiddy produced the fastest performance of the day, breaking the tape in 01:21:17. The contest for the remaining podium places saw Abigail Jones (Poole Runners) take second in 01:23:51, ahead of third-placed Grace Cardwell (Westbury Harriers) , who finished in 01:24:50.
The Supersonic 10K had opened Sunday’s programme earlier that morning, offering runners a fast coastal route between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers.
Harry Hart (City of Salisbury AC & RC) set the pace in the men’s race and claimed victory in 00:33:25. Crossing the line next was Matthew Du Cros (Vegan Runners UK) in 00:36:09, with Sebastian Bush-Hipwood (Chalford Off Road Runners) following in third in 00:36:16.
The women’s title went to Emily Hilliar (Poole AC), who reached the finish in 00:39:40. Hannah Slater earned the runner-up position with a time of 00:40:44, while Beth Dowbiggin (Zoom Triathlon Club) rounded out the top three in 00:42:02.
Saturday evening’s Supernova 5K created a very different atmosphere, as runners raced along Bournemouth Promenade at dusk, with light playing a central part in the event.
First across the line in the men’s race was Olmo Velayos Hernando, recording a winning time of 00:15:45. Theo Cobley (Poole AC) came home second in 00:15:50, followed by Thomas Cawley (Littledown Harriers RC), who took third place in 00:16:26.
Imogen Beisley (Poole AC) topped the women’s standings in 00:19:27, with Agatha Magill (Poole AC) finishing second in 00:19:30. The final podium place belonged to Lucy Miles (Axe Valley Runners), who completed the course in 00:20:11.
Sophie’s Mile brings community together
One of the weekend’s most moving moments was Sophie’s Mile, a charity truck pull held in memory of Sophie Wilson, who died from ovarian cancer, aged 29. The truck pull has raised more than £50,000, with match funding from the Z Zurich Foundation.
Sophie’s husband, Edward Wilson and a team of 10 family members and close friends pulled a truck for one mile along Bournemouth Promenade, between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers.
Run Bournemouth Event Director, Neil Kilgour, said: “We are incredibly proud of every person who took part in Run Bournemouth this weekend. From our youngest runners, completing their first event, to those taking on the half marathon, the determination and support we witnessed across every distance created a fantastic atmosphere throughout the town.
“Raising more than £500,000 for charity is a remarkable achievement and shows that Run Bournemouth is about so much more than crossing a finish line. Every participant fundraising for a cause close to them has helped make a genuine difference.
“We are extremely grateful to our event team, volunteers, partners, charities, spectators and the local community. Their support helped make Run Bournemouth 2026 such a memorable and inspiring weekend.”
Attention now turns to Run Bournemouth 2027, which will take place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th October.
After the success of this year’s event, runners will once again be invited to take on a weekend of coastal races for all ages and abilities, from the Kids’ Kilometre, to the Bournemouth Half Marathon.
Further information and entry details are available at www.runbournemouth.com