Great Bristol Run: Thousands prepare for the race

Thousands of runners are set to take part in the Great Bristol Run.

Both the 10km and the half marathon were sold out with runners eager to compete on the city’s streets.

This year will also see the fourth Blind Runners Challenge 10k, a dedicated race in the UK for blind and visually impaired runners.

A selection of runners told us why they’re taking part, including a man running for the second time with a heart transplant, a woman raising money for the Royal Women’s Army Corps and a young boy running for his first family run in a mercy. time.

Phil Hardwell, 36, from Yate, is running the half marathon for the second time since receiving a heart transplant.

Mr Hardwell was 29 and serving in the military when a routine operation revealed he had ARVC – arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy – a rare form of heart disease.

He said: “I describe running after a heart transplant as running in third gear and it takes some getting used to, but I love it and feel very blessed to be running events like this.

“The power of running for me is the enjoyment of keeping fit after getting my new heart and the mental health benefits that running brings, giving me space away from everyday life.

“I also hope that by running long distances I can inspire others and raise awareness of organ donation.”

As well as the half marathon and 10km races, the event also has a family one mile run in partnership with Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal to raise money for Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Taking part this year is Ruth Smith from Tewkesbury and her nephew Oscar, 10, who is running in memory of his younger brother Ethan, who was treated in hospital. Ethan died in December aged 11 weeks.

“You want to throw yourself into something to help anyone going through something similar,” says Ruth.

“And doing something positive like this helps the pain.”

Oscar has been busy fundraising ahead of the event.

“I’m running because of my brother Ethan. He was very stupid and I am doing this for him,” he said.

Eight-year-old Reuben will also attend, along with his family.

They are running in aid of Bristol Children’s Hospital and have already raised £600.

Reuben was born with a clubfoot and had surgery for the condition 18 months ago.

His father, David, said: “(The hospital) has been incredible for us.”

“We have had our challenges, but there are people who have had bigger challenges.

“We just wanted to give back a little bit. We want to be able to support them so that the next people going through this who need their support can have it.”

As well as the half marathon distance, thousands of people also complete a 10k course around Bristol.

It includes 64 people running on behalf of the Women’s Royal Army Corps Association (WRAC) which supports women veterans across the country.

Katrina Walley, 61, from Trowbridge in Wiltshire joined the army in 1980 aged 17.

She said: “I am one of the youngest ladies to do the 10k for the WRAC – the oldest is 82 and in a wheelchair. It is amazing.

“We have ladies traveling from all over the country and there are quite a few supporters who come to watch us as well.”

“WRAC has always been a real community. Running together like this is like being part of that family again.”

The Great Bristol Run gives many new runners a chance to try a race for the first time.

Becky Gilbert, 42, from Bristol, takes part in the 10km race as a new runner.

Ms Gilbert is part of a fundraising team for the Baby Bank Network, a charity she co-founded nine years ago to provide essential baby essentials for families facing poverty or crisis.

She said: “Through our partners we currently support around 40 families a week in Bristol and beyond.

“We know there are more families we can help, but right now we are at capacity.

“Not only do we want to raise funds to continue, we know there are more families we can help, so we want to expand and grow if we can.”

Amanda Palmer, 50, from Congresbury, is running the Parkinson’s UK Half Marathon after being diagnosed in 2021.

She says the illness won’t stop her from participating.

“These days I have to think about my movements with every step I take, and after a few miles it’s almost like I felt before I developed Parkinson’s,” she said.

Ms. Palmer is running with her daughter, Molly.

“Running has not been my daughter’s favorite exercise until now and the Great Bristol Run will be her first race.

We’re going to do it together, at whatever pace we can manage, and our goal is just to get around the course and enjoy it.”