Review by Tracy Walters
Where: Bristol
When: May 2025
Distance: Half Marathon
Terrain: Tarmac (mostly flat; read on for more!)
Organiser: Great Run
Cost: £48.00
Website: https://www.greatrun.org/events/great-bristol-run/
The Great Bristol Half Marathon & 10k took place in May 2025. This was my first half marathon event, and where better to run it than fantastic Bristol!
Over 23,000 runners took part this year and, while it was busy, the atmosphere was great and it was very well organised. The event village was in the Millennium Square area which is easy to find. We actually drove and parked in a nearby NCP car park, but as the 10k race is on the same day, it’s best to plan your transport and parking in advance. The bag drop was supervised, and your belongings are pretty secure on the double decker buses that are used for storage.
The ‘out and back’ start of this route takes you along the Portway beneath the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge – a great photo opportunity if you’re not running this race for time! This is the flattest part of the route, so it felt quick, but it was a very hot day and there was little shade. Runners then return under the bridge and rejoin the city via Spike Island. The final section of the run loops around Queen Square and Castle Park, where the crowds are just amazing. The people of Bristol are second to none and really kept us runners going in the last 5k!
It was such a hot day that the finish line felt like a relief especially when we were handed our lovely, weighty medals (see pic). The finishers’ packs had some tasty snacks and water, and T-shirts were an option at booking if you wanted one.
There were three water stations (at 4 km, 9.5 km, and 15 km) and mist showers available for runners which, for me, felt like enough, but I know there has been feedback that extra water stations were needed, especially in the heat.
There were plenty of marshals, and I have to give a big shout-out to the pacers, especially Lee, who were excellent. I’d highly recommend finding a pacer and sticking with them if you’re not too experienced at pacing yourself.
Overall, a great race; the city atmosphere really makes it for me and I enjoyed a lovely pizza on the Cathedral Green after – I would book this again.
Race review by @tracywalt