Run Bournemouth is a unique festival of seafront running. As far as we are aware, no other races include running on the boards of not one but two famous piers – Boscombe Pier and Bournemouth Pier. Boscombe Pier is 600 feet long and was first opened to the public on 28 July 1889 while the 1,000 feet Bournemouth Pier opened on 17 September 1861.

This year has been designated Year of the Pier by the National Piers Society. What better way to celebrate than to tread the boards in Run Bournemouth Half Marathon, Supersonic 10K, or Supernova 5K – just Bournemouth Pier is included in the 5K route – on Saturday 7 October and Sunday 8 October 2023.

Run Bournemouth bursts into life on Saturday afternoon (7 October) with a series of junior races followed by the Supernova 5K, which starts near Bournemouth Pier at 7:00pm, and heads towards Boscombe Pier before returning on the Promenade for a dash up and down Bournemouth Pier before finishing near the Run Bournemouth Hub in Lower Gardens.

The evening start makes the most of the bright lights of Bournemouth and every Supernova 5K entrant receives an LED headtorch, wicking finisher's T-shirt, medal and keyring, finisher's goody pack, personalised number, and chip timing. There are baggage facilities at the Hub and hydration and nutrition at the finish.      

Sunday morning (8 October) is all about the Supersonic 10K at 9:00am and Bournemouth Half Marathon at 11:00am – cunningly timed so you can do both if you wish! Supersonic 10K starts at the magnificent Hengistbury Head, the dividing point between Poole and Christchurch bays, and follows a flat and fast route along the Promenade, taking in both piers for good measure.

Run Bournemouth Half Marathon starts with the beautiful views of Hengistbury Head and runs along the cliff tops for more fantastic coastal vistas before the piers appear in the closing stages. Boscombe Pier is just after 11 miles and Bournemouth Pier is the final challenge before the finish line on the Pier Approach Road.

You can check out previous Run Bournemouth results at runABC South race listing here.

Full details of all events from the Kids Kilo to Bournemouth Half Marathon are right here.

Photo: Supernova 5K from the Run Bournemouth website