Festival run group kicks off first event in Bristol

Bristol-based group Ravers2Runners (R2R) run around music festival sites across the UK, with the first taking place at Love Saves the Day on 25 May

A group that puts on running events at festivals has kicked off the 2024 series at their first summer location.

Bristol-based group Ravers2Runners (R2R) run around music festival sites across the UK, with the first taking place at Love Saves the Day on 25 May.

Last year the group led 250 runners on a six kilometre (3.7 miles) tour of Glastonbury Festival, raising awareness of the mental and physical health benefits of group running while raising money for charity.

R2R founder Jo Bryan-Smith said: "We want to help millions of ravers from around the world become healthier and happier."

Each R2R run happens either on the eve or first day of the festival

Since 2021, the group has raised tens of thousands for charity with their own brand of "fun-raving".

Events have included a 'Dry Run' this January around indie music venues and a virtual run to Ibiza and back during the pandemic.

Following last year's music festival series, the R2R community have created a series of activations at leading music festivals throughout summer 2024.

Each run happens either on the eve or first day of the event, allowing festival-goers to explore colourful locations and meet like-minded people, the group said.

"It's a great way to make connections and even settle pre-festival nerves that affect those who sometimes find major events overwhelming," the group said in a statement.

R2R are heading to Somerset for the second annual Glastonbury charity run.

At Bristol's Love Saves the Day festival, runners set off on a 5km (3.1 mile) route through the 30,000 capacity festival site and surround at Ashton Court.

The runs start with a warm-up and end with a cool-down hosted by professional personal trainer Ms Bryan-Smith.

The Love Saves the Day run raised money for promoter Team Love's CIC organisation 'Team Big' who actively support early access to the music industry, with added focus on communities who traditionally have less opportunities.

From Bristol, the R2R team will head to Somerset for the second annual Glastonbury charity run alongside their collaborators Greenpeace.

R2R will be running further events at Boomtown, Forwards and Amsterdam Dance Event festivals.