What to Expect at The 2025 AJ Bell Great Bristol Run

The AJ Bell Great Bristol Run is back on Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 May, for another spectacular celebration.

The event is one of the UK’s most popular running events – it’s been part of the city since 1989 and every year it continues to get better! This year is no different as we are set for the biggest ever AJ Bell Great Bristol Run, with over 23,000 runners set to take part in the 10K and Half Marathon events on Sunday 11 May.

The super-scenic route takes in some of Bristol’s best landmarks, but it’s not just the inspiring views that attract runners from far and wide. The event is packed full of entertainment from start to finish, with rocking on-course music zones, mega charity cheer points, unbelievable local support, and the return of our amazing Bug Club finish line DJ, giving our runners an incredible welcome home at the finish.

Following last year’s event, we asked for feedback to ensure we continue to improve the event experience year on year; based on our runners’ valuable input and ideas we’ve made a number of improvements to this year’s event.

New and Improved

New Junior & Mini events for the kids. We know running isn’t just for the adults, and with that in mind we wanted to give our youngest superstar runners the chance to shine. The Family Run has had an upgrade, and we’re introducing a brand new Junior and Mini event format for children aged 3 – 15 years. Taking place on College Green on Saturday 10 May, this will give kids the platform to perform and enjoy a very special day of their own…. Complete with finisher’s medals and t-shirts, mascot race and some of the cast of the Gladiators as race starters, it’s going to be a SUPER SATURDAY – don’t miss out on the action! Find out more here.

New and improved timetable. We know that timing on event day is so important, which is why we’ve moved the start times slightly earlier to give our runners a better event day experience. This will ensure that participants have exited off the Portway section of the half marathon course about 30 minutes earlier than last year.

New 10k start time: From 08:30

New HM start time: From 10:00

To see the full timetable, click here.

Improved travel options for runners. We’re working closely with Great Western Railway and the Bristol Ferry to provide better, more sustainable travel options for runners and their supporters. There will be a new ‘park and rail’ option on the day where runners can park at Bristol Parkway and take the train to Bristol Temple Meads. From there it’s a 20 minute walk to the start line. In addition, the Bristol Ferry are encouraging participants to use their Waterbus Service on event day, and are giving participants £1 off fares, or if arriving with a group of 3 other people, the runner can travel for free.

Course improvements. We’ve made a few adjustments to the city centre course section at Prince St, Queen Square and Broad Quay, to help with crowd flow and course crossing points to ensure that not only you, but also spectators are having the best event day experience. View the course map here.

Water refill & on-course hydration. We’re introducing two refillable water points to the event site – one within the Amphitheatre, and one within Millennium Square. We highly recommend running with a hydration pack, refillable bottle or similar, ensuring you have access to water at all times throughout your run.

On course there will be one Aqua Pura water point for the 10k around the half way mark, and three equally spaced out water stations on the half marathon route (approximately every 3 miles).

If you love a shower, you’ll be excited to hear that we now have one on-course shower on the 10k route, and two on-course showers on the half marathon route. Get ready to SOAK up the atmosphere!

Back by popular demand

Brilliant Bands on the Run. No one brings the noise as much as our bands on the run. This year RSVP Drummers, Ilu Axe, Chai For All, Bloco B, and Horning Glory will be providing the soundtrack to your run – with more announcements coming soon!

Unrivalled on-course entertainment. Some fantastic acts are waiting to entertain you and keep you motivated along the course. Back by popular demand will be Miss Jam Tart and Cynthia Road, blasting out the classics at our Karaoke Kicks zone, so get ready to join in the duets! Bristol Samba Band will be back to entertain the masses at our Power Thru zone, whilst our ‘Beats Boost’ and ‘Pump it Up’ DJ trucks will keep those legs pumping until the very end of your race.

Brizzle bling and terrific t-shirts. Get ready for one or two post-race selfies with the 2025 finisher medal. You can wear it with pride for a whole week (at least)! Meanwhile, the snazziest t-shirt in town is a fantastic reward for runners as they cross the finish line. Or if you’d rather, when entering you can opt to make a donation to the National Trust Woodland fund instead of receiving a finisher’s t-shirt.

Party on course. With rocking music zones & live bands at every turn, roaring charity cheering squads, plus the incredible local support lining the streets to cheer you on, it’s an experience like no other. Keep an eye out for local run groups Left Handed Giant and Vegan Runners (plus more!), who will be bringing the party to their on-course cheer points.

Après Run = Après fun. Runners, families and friends can kick back, relax and enjoy the post-race celebrations in our Après Run zone, with a Live DJ turning up the feel-good and a selection of food and drink vendors for you to choose from. Get ready for the after party!

Support from the start line to the finish line. The amazing people of Bristol turn out in their tens of thousands to cheer you on from start to finish, shouting out your name at every turn.

VI Runners 10k Challenge. The event stages the UKs only dedicated Visually Impaired race, and in partnership with VI Runners Bristol aims to promote participation in running for people registered as severely sight impaired. Find out more here.

Timed pacers powered by music.  Our pacing team are always on hand to give runners the best possible chance of smashing out a personal best, and once again the brilliant Solgar pacer team will be blasting out tunes all along the course to keep motivation high.

We can’t wait to see you on Sunday 11 May. Haven’t signed up yet? There’s still time. Enter here.