The finish of the Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby is returning to Dutton Avenue.

Just two years after making a much-heralded return to Court Street, the race committee has revealed it has decided to again switch the finish of Bermuda’s biggest running event.

The finish of the 2026 edition will now be slightly further south on Dutton Avenue than previously, which means the Somerset start line will be moved slightly forward. The new starting point will now be directly in front of MarketPlace in Somerset.

The new course has already been measured and marked out by Bob Thurston, who is certified by World Athletics and the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Thurston was helped in the endeavour by Bermuda Half-Marathon Derby committee members Kim Tucker, Roger Lee & Tori Richardson, with Stephen DeSilva of Bermuda Timing Services also assisting.

The 2026 race is already shaping up to be a thrilling affair with Dennis Mbelenzi, a controversial “winner” of the race the last time the Dutton Avenue finish was in use in 2023, now resident in Bermuda and targeting a first legitimate victory in the contest.

He will need to be at his best to hold off last year’s winner Sean Trott and the young Ryan Outerbridge, who has finished runner-up in 2024 and 2025.

A new winner will be crowned in the women’s race with three-times winner Gayle Lindsay having left Bermuda since completing her hat-trick last year.