Great Bristol Half Marathon

The Great Bristol Half Marathon is Bristol's flagship road race, run annually since 1989 and now organized by Great Run under title sponsor AJ Bell (previously Bupa, Reebok, Simplyhealth, and ExpressTest). The course starts near Anchor Road on Bristol's Harbourside, heads out along the Portway beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge and through the dramatic Avon Gorge toward Sea Mills, then returns via Cumberland Basin and Spike Island into the city center for a finish back at the start. The route mixes waterside views of the River Avon with historic maritime streets and street-art murals, and the final three to four miles include several sharp turns that test tired legs after an otherwise flat course. Held alongside a 10K, Junior and Mini races, and a VI (visually impaired) 10K Challenge, the event drew a record 23,000 combined finishers in 2025, up from roughly 15,000 the year before. Spectator support is strong throughout, especially on the Harbourside finish stretch, and organizers run dedicated transport options including Bristol Parkway rail connections and discounted Bristol Ferry crossings for runners. The Great Bristol Half Marathon has previously hosted the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2001 and remains one of the South West of England's largest single-day participation events.