Bristol’s Great Run is a race for all and a run for charity
Join the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run, where every stride brings us closer to transforming lives through the power of sport and charity
RUNNING : Christian Lang
Get ready to lace up your running shoes and hit the streets of Bristol. On Sunday, May 19, the city will be pulsating with the energy of thousands of runners from across the South West and beyond, as the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run returns
Places are filling up quickly as runners of a range of abilities and backgrounds sign up for the half-marathon, 10k and Family Run challenges. This year’s event will also include the fourth annual Visually Impaired (VI) Runners 10k Challenge, the first dedicated race in the UK for blind and partially sighted runners.
The AJ Bell Great Bristol Run is partnering with Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal for this year’s Family Run, which will see runners aged three years-old and above take on a one-mile course in aid of Bristol Children’s Hospital.
The route passes some of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks, the 10k and half-marathon routes include a trip through the historic harbourside, past Castle Park and through Queen Square, with views along the Avon Gorge on the way.
In response to feedback from participants at last year’s event, the course has been adjusted to avoid a large part of the cobbled running section on Welsh Back. More than 90 people will be taking part in this year’s Great Bristol Run to raise funds for Bristol-based charity, Star* Scheme.
Through the sport of rugby, the charity aims to make a difference in the lives of young people who have adverse childhood and community experiences (ACEs), poverty or mental health issues.
Star* Scheme began at Chew Valley Rugby Club in 2021 and now operates across Bristol and in various locations around the UK, covering 97 rugby clubs. This is the first time Star* Scheme has entered a team into the Great Bristol Run
“We provide a safe, consistent environment for children who may have experienced poverty, mistreatment, abuse or bereavement – who often have chaotic lives without much structure and without a trusted adult who they know will be there for them,” explains the charity’s Managing Director, Christian Lang, who is among those who will be running the 10k for Star* Scheme.
“When a child is acting out, it’s easy to pre-judge them and think they’re naughty without understanding why. We make sure our staff know how to react to children in those situations so that they feel safe and understood. It’s transformative to see the impact Star* Scheme has on the children we work with. With just a bit of time every week, they’re more attentive, engaged, happy and smiling. They gain resilience, confidence and better communication skills. It can really transform their lives.”
“Over the past three years I’ve been able to see what a huge impact this charity is having on the lives of some of my son’s team-mates, their families and, in fact, all the parents involved at the club. The Great Bristol Run is a great way for the parents to come together as a team and to continue to support the amazing work Star* Scheme is doing. I’m not a runner so this is a real challenge for me. My aim is to be able to run all of it without having to stop or walk. Having just started a new job alongside writing my Masters dissertation I don’t have much time left over, but running a few times a week is really helping to clear my head. The camaraderie within the team, with little groups all training together, has been brilliant.”
Also running is her husband Tom. “Beyond the obvious benefit of keeping fit and a bit of weight management, the real benefit I get from running is a mental health lift,” he says. Even a short run does wonders for my mood and motivation. Running forces you to look ahead, use your eyes and focus on your breathing. Work or personal stresses and worries fall out of your brain during this time, giving you a valuable break from any concerns that might be troubling you.
“Taking in a different view, while your blood and fresh air race through the body, stimulates you, waking you up and ‘switching you on’. Although I might come back physically tired from a hard run, I always feel more alert and alive afterwards. Challenging issues or questions I may have been struggling with suddenly seem easy to deal with and occasionally answers I’ve been struggling to find will appear subconsciously during or very shortly after a run.”
Another runner is 27-year-old Deanna Trace who will be tackling the half marathon for Young a Free, a befriending service for adults with physical and sensory impairments in the Bristol area. She first became aware of the charity’s impact while working as a carer during the pandemic and continues to volunteer for the cause while studying towards a software engineering apprenticeship.
Deanna first started running a year ago and taking part in the Great Bristol Run is a major milestone in preparing for a challenge she has set for herself in 2025.
“I’ve decided to run and cycle from Bristol to Disneyland Paris to hopefully raise enough money to take some of the people we support on holiday there. A lot of the holidays we arrange are in the UK, but I’d love to take them on a bigger holiday and as the charity’s 20th anniversary is coming up in 2026, so this feels like a good time to do it!”
Deanna had a setback in her training when she broke her wrist last summer, but has focused on increasing her distances over the winter.
“I’ve always been quite active and ate a healthy diet, but I never had that cardio fitness that I have now. I definitely feel fitter than I did when I first tried running and it’s been an invigorating journey. But for me, the power of running is not only the personal achievement I get but to highlight the importance of the charity’s work and hopefully inspire donations to support our cause.
“I’ve found that meeting new people through running has been quite nice and it’s pushed me out of my comfort zone more than I’ve ever pushed myself before. The race date is quickly approaching and I’ve been ramping up my efforts to ensure I’m as prepared as possible. While the physical challenge of a half-marathon is significant, I know it’s just the start of my training for my Bristol to Disneyland challenge next year.
“The thought of running in support of Young and Free Bristol gives me an extra boost of motivation. Young and Free is a very small charity and relies heavily on volunteers and donations to keep going.”
To join them, and secure your place at the start line, visit www.greatrun.org/events/great-bristol-run/
