Forget everything you know about the fast and flat Bath Half Marathon. There's another half marathon in the city, and this one has absolutely no intention of making life easy.

Bath Hilly Half returns on Sunday 15 November, taking runners away from the city streets and into the hills around Lansdown. Starting and finishing at Bath Racecourse, the event combines a challenging trail half marathon with an intriguing alternative called the Ultra 10K. The catch? That shorter race actually measures 12.45K, so even the supposedly easier option comes with a little extra running.

The half marathon follows two laps of a demanding countryside course, with rough tracks, uneven ground, gates, stiles and some serious climbing. The route takes runners through the countryside around North Stoke and Kelston, with extensive views across the surrounding landscape. Organisers advise allowing around 15% longer than a normal half marathon personal best, which gives some indication of the challenge awaiting runners.

There's plenty of history behind the event too. Previous results stretch back more than a decade, with the race continuing its tradition of supporting local charities. The event was not held in 2020 or 2021 because of the pandemic, but returned in 2022 and remains an established fixture on Bath's autumn trail running calendar.

Both distances start at 10:30am, with entries available for runners aged 18 and over. For those who prefer their running with hills, mud and a generous helping of countryside, Bath Hilly Half certainly delivers.

Just don't arrive expecting an easy personal best.

You can enter this year's race now via the runABC race hub.

Image courtesy Bath Hilly Half.