With just 40 days to go before the start of the 2021 Great Bristol Run, the final countdown is well and truly underway. Bristol's favourite running event returns to the great maritime city on Sunday 19th September and this year it's all about the comeback and the changes to the programme.

For the first time, the 10K and Half Marathon events take place on the same day, whilst the Family Run will ensure the Tokyo Olympics inspired running stars of the future will get their own taste of glory as they finish in the buzzing Millenium Square.

There were 10,000 finishers in the 2019 Great Bristol Run before Covid restrictions accounted for the 2020 edition. Two years later the famous atmosphere, crowd support, inspiring music and entertainment zones will make their joyous, unfettered return. 

Also new for this year is a revised city centre course that showcases many of Bristol's highlights such as Queens Square, Prince Street Bridge, Harbourside, Castle Park and Millenium Square. The result is an even flatter, faster and PB-enabling route. 

The greatest reward in taking part is the sense of achievement as you cross the finish line, but a shiny new medal, snazzy finishers t-shirt and finisher’s bag filled with goodies will also reward you at the end of the run. Whether you do it for the challenge, to fundraise for charity or simply for fun, take your place on the start line and be part of something really special.

The fully inclusive events list includes the Great Bristol Family Run for accompanied children aged 3+ years and the Engie Business Challenge that creates a level playing field for all local businesses, with categories for Small, Medium and Large companies in male, female and mixed teams.

Another new addition to the programme this year is the VI Runners Challenge. Held in partnership with VI Runners Bristol, the ambition is to promote and drive up participation in running for people registered as severely visually impaired (formerly "blind").    

There is still time to join thousands of others in the race that boasts the fastest average finishing times of all Great Run events. Just visit the Great Bristol Run website here to sign up

You can also check out event details, previous results and runABC stories at runABC South here 

Image: Courtesy Great Run