Great Bristol Run / Features
Meet the Great Bristol runners
This weekend marks the return of the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run, which is set to be The Great Run Company’s biggest ever Bristol event.
Paul Foster, chief executive of The Great Run Company, said: “The AJ Bell Great Bristol Run has grown to be an annual celebration of running that draws people from across the South West and beyond. The event has an especially welcoming inclusive atmosphere with thousands of supporters along the scenic course.”
Ahead of the half marathon and 10k races this Sunday, Bristol24/7 spoke to some of this year’s runners and asked them to share their top tips.
is needed now More than ever
Jenni is running 10k for 10 bonus years – photo: Emma Deadman
Jenni Baker-Wyatt will be running 10k to mark the 10th anniversary of her liver transplant.
Jenni started running last year as she wanted a goal to work towards while doing IVF.
Her training plan paused when she got pregnant, but she has now given birth to a son and started running again.
“It’s going to be a big achievement, to mark the ten-year anniversary and how life has changed quite dramatically,” she said.
Jenni’s top tip for runners: “Don’t have a baby four months before the race. Or maybe do because he’s delightful.”
Heather with her family – photo: Heather Hall
Heather Hall is running the half marathon “out of sheer stubbornness”.
She is fundraising for The Grand Appeal, which provided invaluable support when her newborn son was rushed into intensive care.
“The Grand Appeal offered us somewhere to stay and food to eat. They would have given us the clothes off their backs if we needed them.”
Heather has raised £1500 so far.
She said: “Even a small donation can make a huge difference. I want people to see the value in how incredible it is.”
Heather’s top tip: “Wear sun cream if you’re as pale as me.”
Chris in his construction gear – photo: Emma Deadman
In 2021, an average of 500 men working in the construction industry took their own lives.
Chris Rodgers has taken on the challenge of running 500 miles in full personal protective equipment to raise awareness of mental health challenges in the construction industry.
He has a simple, but important message. He said: “Just one conversation can save someone’s life. You never know when someone will need it.”
Since January he has run 269 miles, split between races and park runs. Chris is from Weston-super-Mare, so he is particularly excited to be supported by a local crowd.
As for his top tip, Chris said: “Make sure to hydrate well and enjoy it!”
Gary with the Garycopter – photo: Emma Deadman
Gary MacAlister has a big goal for Sunday: he’s hoping to break the Guinness World Record for fastest half-marathon run in a 3D aircraft costume.
The current record is two hours eight minutes and 36 seconds, but Gary is pretty confident he can smash this.
He’s doing it all in support of Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance.
Gary, who is “expecting the crowds this weekend to be off the scale”, said: “I see the helicopters all the time and it’s really great to support such a local charity.”
He recommends eating jacket potatoes the night before the race as, in his experience, they are the best fuel.
Gillian and Anne-Clare are ready to cheer – photo: Emma Deadman
After completing the London Marathon just two weeks ago, Anne-Clare Temple has decided to give herself a break from running this year.
She will still be at the race, supporting the team running for Step Together, a charity who support people facing social exclusion to build a more positive future for themselves through volunteering.
She’s hoping this weekend will be an opportunity to raise some money, boost awareness and maybe even recruit some runners for next year’s London Marathon.
Anne-Clare’s top tip: “See Sunday as your victory lap.”
If you would like to show your support for this year’s runners, you can find information here: www.greatrun.org/events/great-bristol-run
Main photo: Emma Deadman
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