The event, held on March 22, 2026, offered something for all runners, with races including a half marathon, 10k, 5k and a 1k children’s fun run.
Participants began the day with a warm-up led by the BCP Leisure team, while families lined the route to cheer them on.
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Vitality Bournemouth Bay run (Image: NQ staff)
Vitality Bournemouth Bay Run 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Vitality Bournemouth Bay run (Image: NQ staff)
Vitality Bournemouth Bay run (Image: NQ staff)
Vitality Bournemouth Bay run (Image: NQ staff)
Vitality Bournemouth Bay run (Image: NQ staff)
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Amy Cox, 54, who took part in the 10k, said it was her second year at the event and described the conditions as “very hot”.
She said: “I am training for the London half marathon, so this is just like a rehearsal.
“I am supporting the MND charity this year. One of my friends was diagnosed 10 years ago, and the one way I can help is to try and raise awareness.”
Amy Cox (Image: NQ staff)
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Vitality Bournemouth Bay run 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Vitality Bournemouth Bay run 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
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Ally Hanks, 57, from Moordown, said she has been taking part in the races for 20 years, completing multiple half marathons and numerous 10k runs over that time.
This year, she ran alongside her husband, David.
Ally Hanks (Image: NQ staff)
She said: “We are supporting the Dorset Mind mental health charity and it’s a fantastic event.
“The charity work is lovely. I see a lot of people who have various mental health pressures on them, and I think raising awareness will be helpful.”
Vitality Bournemouth Bay run 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Vitality Bournemouth Bay run 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Vitality Bournemouth Bay run 2026 (Image: NQ staff)
Kat Hearn said she was proud of her children, Joey, 9, and Nicholas, 6, who both took part in the children’s race.
Kat Hearn (Image: NQ staff)
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She said: “Joey runs every week at Poole Runners, which is an amazing club.
“She trains twice a week and competes regularly in cross-country, but this is her first Bournemouth Bay Run.
“I am immensely proud.
She added: “For Nicholas, it’s his second time running in a competition. I am incredibly proud – they have both done really well.”
Among the winners of the 10k was Hayley Martin, who said she had recently returned to running after a two-year break due to injury.
Hayley Martin (right) with other winner (Image: NQ staff)
She said: “I feel very good. I haven’t done a race in a long time and it’s a lovely day. I raced in 2024 but had injuries, so this is my first race back. I am very proud.
“I have mainly been doing parkrun every week and training at the gym.”
She added that she felt “very nervous” before the start of the race.
Riley Auston, 15, one of the youngest winners of the 10k, said it was his first time running the distance.
Riley Auston (Image: NQ staff)
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He said: “It was a good race. I had never done a 10k before and didn’t know how to approach it, but it turned out really well.”