Great Bristol Run 2023: Everything you need to know including start times, best places to watch, road closures

The Great Bristol Run returns to the city on Sunday (May 14), with thousands of runners set to take part across its half-marathon, 10k and Family Run challenges. The super-scenic 10k and half marathon routes weave past some of Bristol’s most iconic landmarks, taking in stunning views, inspiring history and graffiti murals along the way.

To energise both runners and spectators, a live start-line DJ, on-course music zones and post-race celebrations in Millennium Square add to the event’s buzzing atmosphere. This year’s event will also host the third annual Visually Impaired (VI) Runners 10k Challenge – the UK’s first dedicated race for blind and partially sighted runners.

This year, Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees will join as a guide runner for Chris Blackabee, who has been totally blind since the age of 12. The day gets underway with the sold-out AJ Bell Great Bristol Family Run, which will see budding runners of all ages take on a one-mile challenge.

READ MORE: Bristol 10k and half marathon 2023 photos: 14 brilliant pictures of runners plus results checker

The official charity partner of the Family Run, The Grand Appeal, is encouraging everyone to join in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the much-loved Wallace and Gromit film, by sporting their own pair of “wrong trousers” around the course.

Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company said, “The AJ Bell Great Bristol run is an inclusive celebration of running that shows the city at its best every year. With runners of all ages and abilities taking part for all kinds of reasons, the atmosphere is unbeatable and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the start line on May 14.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the Great Bristol Run including race start times, routes, road closures and the best places to watch the race.

Great Bristol Run race warm-up and start times

The Great Bristol Run will start from 9pm and be followed by multiple wave starts. The race warm-up and start times are as follows:

• Information Point open: 08:30
• 10K Assembly area open: 08:53
• Family Run warm-up: 09:00
• Family Run start (start/finish on Anchor Rd): 09:18
• 10k warm-up: 09:25
• 10k Wheelchair start: 09:28
• VI Race start: 09:30
• 10k ORANGE wave start: 09:37
• 10k GREEN wave start: 09:44
• 10k PINK wave start: 10:00
• Half marathon assembly area open: 10:20
• Half marathon warm-up: 10:30
• Half Marathon ORANGE wave start: 10:40
• Half Marathon GREEN wave start: 10:50
• Half Marathon PINK wave start: 15:00

Great Bristol run routes

The Great Bristol Run has three different routes - The Family Fun Run, the 10k Run and the Half Marathon.

Family Fun Run route

10k Run route

Half Marathon route

What road closures will be in place during the Great Bristol Run?

There will be a rolling programme of road closures starting from Anchor Road at 4am on Sunday, May 14 2023 in order to ensure a safe running route for the 15,000 runners taking part. All roads should be reopened by 5pm.

Roads will be reopened in phases once each section is clear of runners, litter and event infrastructure. During the road closure vehicular access will not be possible unless otherwise stated or pre-agreed, say organisers.

A spokesperson said: “We appreciate that road closures can cause some inconvenience but your co-operation would be appreciated in assisting the City of Bristol to host this prestigious sporting event.

Pedestrian and emergency service access will be maintained to all properties throughout the event. For traffic queries, information about road closures and alternative routes you can email [email protected] or call r 0808 164 4 654.

General road closure information

Clifton Suspension Bridge will remain open at all times. All roads will be reopened by 5pm, if not before.

If you require your vehicle during closure times, organisers recommend you park outside of the road closure area. Cars parked on closed roads may be uplifted if parked in suspended spaces and no movement of cars is permitted during road closures.

Warning signage and No Parking cones will identify these areas. If your vehicle is uplifted, it will be moved to Portwall Lane Car Park or the SS GB car park depending on which is nearest. If you have any queries on the day, you can call 0117 903 8070.

Full list of road closures and diversions

Zone 1: Anchor Road will be closed between 4am and 5pm. Lime Kiln Road/ Cannons Way residents will be able to enter and/or exit via Partition St/ Lower College St and across Anchor Road until 8.30am and after 12.30pm, once it is safe to move vehicles.

Zone 2: Hotwell Road outbound of city to Humphry Davy Way will be closed between 6.30am and 1pm. Access to Dock Gate Lane, Pembroke Place, Rownham Mead, Charles Place, Oakfield Road and Merchants Road will be restricted between closure times. Vehicles will be permitted to exit streets and drive towards Jacobs Wells Roundabout on Hotwell Road until 8.30am.

Hotwell Rd will remain open to traffic at all times on the inbound to city side of road, towards Jacobs Wells Roundabout.

Zone 3: Hotwell Road at Bennett Way to A4162 Sylvan Way incl A4 Portway and Bridge Valley Road will be closed between 6am and 2.30pm. Residents with properties located on The Portway between Sylvan Way and Riverleaze are able to use a vehicle lane installed for the event.

Residents are permitted to enter at the Sylvan Way junction on to The Portway and exit on to Riverleaze. Residents are asked not to park cars on the road to ensure access can be maintained.

Zone 4: Avon Crescent, McAdam Way, Brunel Lock Road, Brunswick Place, Cumberland Road, Wapping Road, Gas Ferry Road, Hanover Place, Mardyke Ferry Road, Smeaton Rpad, Ashton Avenue and Commercial Road will be closed between 5.30am and 2pm. Residents will be able to exit until 8.30am - after this time vehicle movement is prohibited, unless prior arrangements have been made with the event organisers.

If you require your car between 8.30am and 2pm, organisers recommend you park outside of the road closure area. Avon Crescent can exit on to Brunel Way Southbound at all times.

Zone 5: The Grove, Prince Street, Wapping Road, Queen Square, Welsh Back, Little King Street, Queen Charlotte Street residents will be able to exit until 8.45am, after this time vehicle movement is prohibited, unless prior arrangements have been made with the event organisers.

Queen Charlotte Street NCP Car Park can exit via Welsh Back and over Redcliffe Bridge or Prince St Bridge until

9.15am.

Zone 6: Redcliffe Hill (inbound traffic), Redcliffe Way from Redcliffe Bascule Bridge towards Temple Circus, Redcliffe Street, Three Queen’s Lane, St Thomas Street, Victoria Street, Counterslip, Queen Street, Castle Street, Lower Castle Street, Broad Weir, Newgate, Wine Street, High Street will be closed between 5.30am and 3pm.

Residents will be able to exit until 8.45am, after this time vehicle movement is prohibited, unless prior arrangements have been made with the event organisers. If you require your car between 8.45am and 3pm, organisers recommend you park outside of the road closure area.

Zone 7: Baldwin Street, Marsh Street, Broad Quay Colston Avenue, St Augustine’s Parade, Park Street/ College Green (access only as far as Anchor Rd and the Marriott Hotel), Lewin’s Mead, Christmas Street and Quay Street, will be closed between 7am and 3.30pm. Vehicle access into The Centre is restricted during closure time.

Residents will be able to exit until 8.30am, after this time vehicle movement is prohibited, unless prior arrangements have been made with the event organisers. If you require your car between 8.30am and 3.30pm we recommend you park outside of the road closure.

Best places to watch the Great Bristol Run

One of the best areas to watch the Great Bristol Road Anchor Road near Millennium Square, where all of the routes start and finish. Try to hear there as early as possible if it’s your choice of viewing spot, as many will be looking to get in on the pre-race buzz as well as meeting loved ones at the finish line.

The Portway, which forms the bulk of the half marathon route and spans underneath one of Bristol’s finest sights The Clifton Suspension Bridge, is another prime viewing spot. It’s one of Bristol’s longest roads so you should be able to find space if you get there early.

If you’d prefer to sit with a drink and watch the runners go by, the Harbourside which is dotted with some of the city’s best pubs, restaurants and bars is another great choice. The nearby Queen’s Square alsoprovides lots of grassy areas to sit or stand to watch the race while taking in the beauty spot’s Georgian architecture.

Castle Park is a great place to blare out some last-minute encouragement, as runners pass through the huge park on their way to finish line.