The Bournemouth Bay Half Marathon has long been something of a staple on the local calendar — a chance for Bournemouth AC runners to stretch the legs in a familiar setting, often as part of a bigger spring marathon build, or simply to enjoy a race on home turf. This year, however, the race carried a little more weight. For the first time, it featured as a Dorset Road Race League fixture, and that alone gave proceedings a sharper edge.

That added significance did, however, come with its own logistical headache. Road Runners head honcho Rich Nelson found himself working somewhat in the dark without access to the entry list, making team selection more a case of educated guesswork than careful planning. There were some certainties; Rob McTaggart would be there, inevitably incorporating it into one of his characteristically brisk long runs, while Luke De-Benedictis had already signed up. Rich Brawn and Clint Taylor were also in the mix, both looking to use it as part of marathon preparation. Beyond that, it was a case of hoping a few more yellow and blue vests would emerge on the start line.

There was also a welcome return on the women’s side, with Sam White making her first race appearance since 2024 — a sight that added a touch of familiarity to an otherwise slightly uncertain turnout.

Elsewhere, other clubs had clearly been more organised. Poole AC, in particular, arrived well-armed, spearheaded by the in-form Charlie Collins, whose recent cross country exploits marked him out as the man to beat. With strong support from Thomas Corbin and Lewis Clarke, they looked well positioned from the outset. Egdon Heath Harriers had Jonathon Churchill in their ranks, while Twemlow Track Club assembled a formidable quintet.

Pre-race routines varied — some more conventional than others. Rob McTaggart had already logged 10 miles before the gun, while Rich Brawn had seven in the legs and very nearly didn’t make the start at all, having managed to get himself locked inside the gym. A last-minute scramble, involving a climb over the railings, ensured both made it to the line with seconds to spare — not ideal preparation, but perhaps fitting for the slightly chaotic build-up.

Once underway, the race unfolded over a scenic but deceptively testing course. From Bournemouth Pier, the route traced the promenade west before climbing up through the chines, looping along the clifftop, and stretching all the way out towards Hengistbury Head before returning via the Overcliff and Boscombe. The conditions were unusually kind. Light winds and bright sunshine made for near-perfect racing weather, even if the exposed sections and testing climbs still demanded respect.

At the sharp end, Charlie Collins wasted little time asserting control. He set a strong pace early on and never looked in danger, eventually taking a convincing victory in 1:10:39 — a significant improvement on his previous outings over the distance.

Behind him, Rob McTaggart executed his “training run” with typical authority. Settling into a pace that most of the field could only admire from a distance, he cruised through the early miles and, despite running solo for much of the second half, secured second place in 1:12:35. When combined with his pre-race mileage, it amounted to a 23.36-mile effort at an average of 6-minute pace — an outstanding day’s work by any standard.

Lewis Clarke completed the podium in 1:13:06, with Tommy Corbin just behind in fourth. Twemlow’s Rupert Allison and Egdon’s Jonathon Churchill also featured prominently in the top six, underlining the depth of competition across the league.

For Bournemouth AC, Luke De-Benedictis continued his fine run of form. Although unable to quite match his 2024 performance, his 1:17:44 for 13th place was another solid showing, particularly given the strength of the field.

Further back, Karl Welch marked his return to racing with a strong run of 1:19:52, finishing as the club’s third scorer. It was an encouraging performance after time away from competition.

For Rich Brawn, this was never going to be a day for heroics. Still feeling the effects of a tough outing at the MK20 the previous week, the plan was simply to log a solid effort at something approaching marathon pace. That ambition faded fairly quickly. By five miles in, the pace had drifted, and the legs were already protesting. The long drag along the Overcliff proved particularly unforgiving, coming deep into what was effectively a much longer run.

A late rally at least salvaged a respectable finish, with 1:27:20 on the clock — not a time to write home about, but a useful session in the bank all the same. Sometimes the bigger picture matters more than the stopwatch.

Nathan Mearns completed the scoring team for Bournemouth AC, battling through to 1:32:14 after a slightly over-enthusiastic start caught up with him in the latter stages. It secured the team a finish, but not the result they might have hoped for on home soil, with Poole AC taking top honours ahead of Twemlow, and Bournemouth AC having to settle for third in the standings.

Clint Taylor followed in 1:45:04, later joking about making this an annual fixture “until it goes well,” while Nick Pepin got round in 2:09:57.

There were also notable efforts elsewhere in the club. Matilde Blagden, in her debut half marathon, showed real determination to break two hours, digging deep after a tough middle section to finish in 1:58:54. It was a valuable learning experience and a promising start over the distance for her. Sam White, meanwhile, marked her return with a 2:13:32 finish, pleased simply to get to the end in the warm conditions.

In the women’s race, Lizzy Allison of Poole Runners led the way with a strong 1:26:06, followed by Becky Neal of Poole AC and Victoria Kirschner-Heavens, as Poole AC demonstrated their strength in depth by getting the best score out of the Ladies First Division clubs.

From a league perspective, Poole AC’s dominance continued, with three wins from three in the men’s division. Twemlow Track Club sit second, with Bournemouth AC currently third. Individually, Rob McTaggart’s consistency sees him leading the standings, with Luke De-Benedictis also well placed in fourth.

All in all, the Bournemouth Bay Half proved to be more than just a training run this year. With league points on the line, it delivered a competitive edge to a familiar course — and perhaps a timely reminder that even on home ground, nothing comes easily.