Thousands prepare for Great Bristol Run 2024

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

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

Both the 10km and the half marathon distances have sold out with runners eager to race through the city's streets.

This year will also see the fourth Visually Impaired Runners 10k Challenge, a dedicated race in the UK for blind and partially sighted runners.

A selection of runners have told us why they are taking part including a man who is running for the second time with a heart transplant, a woman raising money for the Women's Royal Army Corp and a young boy running the one mile family race for the first time.

Phil Hardwell is running the half marathon for the second time

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

Mr Hardwell was 29 and serving in the army aged 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 enjoy it and feel really blessed that I’m taking part in events like this.

"The power of running for me is the enjoyment of keeping physically fit after receiving my new heart and the mental health benefits that running brings by giving me space away from day-to-day life.

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

Oscar (right) is running the race in memory of his baby brother Ethan (left)

As well as the half marathon and 10k races, the event also has a one mile family 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 10-year-old grandson Oscar, who is running in memory of his younger brother Ethan, who was treated at the hospital. Ethan died in December, aged 11 weeks.

"You want to throw yourself into something to help anyone who’s going through anything similar,” says Ruth.

“And doing something positive like this helps with the grief.”

Oscar has been busy fundraising ahead of the event.

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

Reuben was born with club foot and is running 1 mile

Eight-year-old Reuben will also be taking part, alongside his family.

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

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

His father, David, said: "[The hospital] has been incredible to us."

"We’ve had our challenges, but there are people out there who have had bigger challenges.

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

Katrina Walley is part of a group running to raise money for the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) Association

As well as the half marathon distance, thousands are also running a 10k course around Bristol.

It includes 64 people running on behalf of the Women's Royal Army Corps (WRAC) Association that supports female veterans around the country.

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

She said: "I’m one of the youngest ladies taking part in the 10k for WRAC – the oldest is 82 and in a wheelchair. It’s amazing.

"We’ve got ladies travelling from all over the country and there are quite a few supporters who are coming along to watch us too."

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

Becky Gilbert has been training in all weathers to be ready for the run

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

Becky Gilbert, 42, from Bristol is running the 10k race as a new runner.

Ms Gilbert is part of a team of raising money for Baby Bank Network, a charity she co-founded nine years ago to provide pre-loved baby essentials for families experiencing poverty or crisis.

She said: “Through our partners, we’re currently supporting around 40 families a week across Bristol and beyond.

“We know there are more families we can help, but at the moment we’re at capacity.

"Not only do we want to raise funds to keep going, we know there are more families we can help, so we also want to expand and grow if we can.”

Many runners, like these pictured in 2023, enjoy the camaraderie on the day

Amanda Palmer, 50, from Congresbury, is running the half marathon for Parkinson's UK after she was diagnosed in 2021.

She says the disease will not stop her taking part.

The Great Bristol Run will be Amanda Palmer's first ever run

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

Ms Palmer is running with her daughter, Molly.

“Running hasn’t been a go-to exercise for my daughter before now and the Great Bristol Run will be her first ever race.

We’ll be doing it together at whatever pace we can manage and our aim is just to get around the course and enjoy it.”