Other Sport / Great Bristol 10k
‘Respect for everyone who took part today’
From a team of firefighters in full safety gear to Bristol’s mayor being a guide runner for a visually impaired participant, 13,000 runners of all abilities took part in Sunday’s Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k.
Set off from Anchor Road by Winter Olympics bronze medallist Dom Parsons, runners went along the Portway and back into town to finish close to Bristol Aquarium.
After completing his first 10k, Bristol mayor Marvin Rees praised those participating: “Many congratulations and respect for everyone who took part today…
“It was a competitive field and despite this being my first 10k, I felt we did well to support each other and complete the course in good time.
“That to me is the great benefit of sport, it is a unifying force that brings people from all backgrounds and communities to participate, support and achieve together.”
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees was acting a guide runner in his first 10k
In the men’s race, Tom Merson from Exmouth Harriers AAC finished first in a time of 30:34, ahead of Phil Wylie from Cheltenham Harriers who crossed the line in 30:37. They were followed by Hercules Wimbledon AC’s Jonathan Cornish in third with a time of 31:01.
Ruth Barnes from Avon Valley Runners took first place in the women’s field in a time of 34:23, followed by Bristol & West AC’s Charlotte Taylor-Green in 35:00 and her clubmate Helen Newberry came third in 36:03.
The start of this year’s race on Anchor Road
Bristol charities were well represented, with the Grand Appeal, Bristol Children’s Hospital Charity fielding runners in both the 10k and the Simplyhealth Great Bristol Family Run.
Thirty firefighters from Avon Fire and Rescue Service also took to the streets in full firefighter’s kit while carrying a six-metre long ladder as part of their fundraising for three-year-old Daisy Bowyer.
Daisy suffers from cerebral palsy and relies on the use of a walking frame and wheelchair. The firefighters hope to raise £20,000 for Daisy’s Dream to Walk, which will fund an operation to help her walk unaided.
Daisy and her family also took part in the Simplyhealth Great Bristol Family Run after the 10k to raise awareness about her condition. The mile-long Family Run featured 400 children taking on a shorter running route around Millennium Square.
The firefighters celebrate after completing the course
This year’s Simplyhealth Great Bristol Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, September 23. Enter today at www.greatrun.org/Bristolhalf.
The 2019 Simplyhealth Great Bristol 10k will be staged on Sunday, May 5. The first 500 entries will be given a £5 discount. To enter, visit www.greatrun.org/Bristol10k.
Video by Michael Doran
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