The event is taking place over two days for the first time
Bristol is gearing up for the biggest weekend of mass participation sport in recent memory – with more than 20,000 people of all ages and abilities set to pound the roads and pavements.
Riding on running’s post-pandemic popularity, what was the once the Great Bristol Run has now become a two-day event featuring a half-marathon, 10k, visually impaired race and children’s events.
This weekend’s events will kick off with “Super Saturday”, featuring new Junior and Mini events. Minis (aged 3-8) will run a 1.5km loop and Juniors (aged 8-15) face a 2.5k challenge.
Both start and finish at College Green and will follow a city centre route. This will replace the previous family race which was squeezed in to the same day as the adult events – freeing up greater capacity for both.
Paul Foster, chief executive of organisers the Great Run Company, said: “We’re delighted to be able to give Bristol’s Junior & Mini runs event an opportunity to take centre stage on Saturday as its own standalone event.
“This gives our younger runners their own time to shine the day before the main event, and we hope this will allow more families to take part without impacting their plans on the Sunday.
“The move also frees up time in a packed Sunday schedule, which allows us to better cater for growing numbers in the 10km and half marathon distances. We look forward to welcoming the next generation of runners to the start line on Saturday.”
The event is partnering with Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal to raise money for the Bristol Children’s Hospital.
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Stacey Vincent, from the charity said: “The Great Bristol Run has always been a highlight of our fundraising calendar, and the Family Run holds a special place in our hearts.
“As the Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity, seeing young runners take to the streets of Bristol, all while supporting vital care for sick children and their families, is truly inspiring.
“The move to Super Saturday is a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on these young people and we’re thrilled to be the dedicated charity for this fantastic event for the tenth year.
“We’re immensely grateful to everyone who has run for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, and we hope to see many more runners on the start line in 2025.”
On Sunday tens of thousands of runners from across the South West and beyond will hit the city’s streets, with the 10k and half-marathon routes taking in some of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks, including a trip through the harbourside, past Castle Park and through Queen Square, with views along the Avon Gorge on the way.
It will also include the fifth annual Visually Impaired (VI) Runners 10k Challenge, the first dedicated race in the UK for blind and partially sighted runners.
The events will involve road closures through the city centre over course of the weekend as well rerouting of some bus services.
Places for Sunday’s races have long sold out but entries remain open for Saturday’s children’s events.
