Brilliant Bristol's Back
The biggest celebration of running in the South West returns to Bristol
The AJ Bell Great Bristol Run returned to the maritime city on Sunday 14 May with over 12,000 runners of all ages and abilities taking part in the biggest celebration of running in the South West.
The event included 10K and half marathon races that took in many of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks, plus the sold-out AJ Bell Great Bristol Family Run, with over 400 children and adults running a mile-long course. Entrants from three years old completed the challenge to earn a treasured Great Run medal.
Wallace and Gromit, keen supporters of the Grand Appeal, the dedicated charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital, were at the Family Run start line to cheer everyone on, offer high fives and plenty of encouragement. To energise runners and spectators a start-line DJ, on-course music, and post-race celebrations in Millennium Square added to the buzzing atmosphere.
“The AJ Bell Great Bristol Run is always such a fantastic event and it was great to see so many runners take on their individual challenges, with many helping to raise thousands for charity in the process,” said Paul Foster, Chief Executive of the Great Run Company.
GB international ultra runner Alex Milne of Hercules Wimbledon AC took first place in the men’s half-marathon in 1:08:55. Morgan Roberts (Herne Hill Harriers, 1:09:27) and Sam Tabberner (Clevedon AC, 1:11:18 PB) completing the men's podium.
The women’s half-marathon race was won by Charlie Arnell of Milton Keynes Distance Project in a PB of 1:17:00 from Bristol & West AC team mates Annabel Granger (W45 1:21:59 PB) and Daniella Bailey (1:22:09 PB).
Veteran GB Olympian Chris Thompson (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC, 29:45) won the 10K race from Team Bath AC pair Alex Carter (31:24 PB) and James Reeder (31:37 PB).
The 2013 European Cross Country Championships silver medallist Gemma Steel (W35, Charnwood AC) continued her excellent comeback to win the women’s race in 34:09 from Katrina Entwistle (Bristol & West AC, 36:11) and Ella Sharrock (City of Norwich AC, 37:19).
The Great Bristol Run also hosted the third annual Visually Impaired (VI) Runners 10K Challenge – the UK’s first dedicated race for blind and partially sighted runners. Chris Blackabee of Southend AC, with Bristol’s Mayor Marvin Rees as his guide, won the men’s race in 52:30 but he was two minutes behind Agata Cienciala who took the women’s race in 50:08.
The superb Great Bristol Run atmosphere can be enjoyed in this 2023 highlights video...
Entries are now open for the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run 2024 on Sunday 19 May 2024. Numbers are available until 9:00am on Monday 29 May at a discounted launch price. Find out more and enter now at the official Great Bristol Run website.
Results and previous event reports at the runABC South race listing here.
Image and video courtesy Great Run Company