The big day is nearly here, and we want to help you with any event day questions so you can focus on the important things: soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying your run.
We’ve got all the info you need here in this guide, but you can also check out greatrun.org for last-minute changes. To follow all the action as it happens, join the conversation on social media - just make sure you use
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Investing is a marathon, not a sprint. But it’s always nice to have a little push to start.
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Our top tip: where possible, make use of the public transport options available on the day and leave plenty of time to get to the start line, as there will be a number of road closures in place. You can see a full list of road closures here.
You can plan your journey by public transport here, and If you’re travelling by bike Better By Bike will help you plan your route and find bike parking.
We’re working closely with Great Western Railway and the Bristol Ferry to provide better, more sustainable travel options for runners and their supporters.
There will be a new ‘park and rail’ option on the day where runners can park at Bristol Parkway and take the train to Bristol Temple Meads. From there it’s a 20 minute walk to the start line.
In addition, the Bristol Ferry are encouraging participants to use their Waterbus Service on event day, and are giving participants £1 off fares, or if arriving with a group of 3 other people, the runner can travel for free.
Travel
Park & Ride Options
Brislington Park & Ride - Route 9 will only run between Brislington Park & Ride and Bristol City Centre and buses will only stop at the Haymarket and The Horsefair. Brislington site will open from 6am.
Long Ashton Park & Ride - A free shuttle bus will operate between Long Ashton Park & Ride and the event site. Long Ashton site will open at 6am and close at 4.30pm.
Find more information here.
If you do need to drive into the city centre, there are various car parks which can be seen here.
Please bear in mind the extensive road closures in place for the event and leave extra time for your journey. Bristol has a Clean Air Zone in place for sections of the city centre. The Clean Air Zone is signposted, and if your vehicle doesn’t meet emissions standards then you’ll have to pay. Find more information here.
Any travel updates will be added to the website, so please check the event page ahead of the event for any updates.
Baggage
Baggage buses are located in the Lloyds Amphitheatre (see start map). Please remember which bus you use when you return to the Lloyds Amphitheatre to collect your bag.
Please fill in your baggage label (tear off from your run number) before leaving the house if you can, and secure to your bag. You’ll need your run number to gain access to the buses to drop off and collect your bag, so we can ensure it matches the baggage label.
• Sorry, but the baggage buses are not for changing.
• Please make room for other runners as soon as you’ve dropped off your bag - thank you!
• Please don’t leave valuables in your bags - this is a self-service system and, although there are security staff present, we can’t accept any responsibility for lost or stolen items.
Your Run Number
Your run number must only be worn by you on the day, and it should match the master number on your covering letter. If it’s different, please contact Customer Services here.
Please don’t swap, copy, or change this number - passing your number on to someone else could put them at risk from illness or injury if they’re not properly prepared. If your run number hasn’t arrived through the post, please visit the Information Point to collect a replacement.
Please Note: If you secured your entry after 10am on Friday 2 May, your run number hasn’t been posted out and must be collected from the Information Point. We are also unable to send race packs outside of the UK as we cannot guarantee their delivery, so will need to be collected from the Information Point.
Start & Finish Map
Course Map
Hydration
Aqua Pura water stations will be situated at key points on the route to help you stay hydrated (see map here).
Whilst you’re running, remember to drink, drain and aim your water bottles into our on-course bottle collection points.
The bottles we use are 100% recycled and recyclable, with a flip cap to ensure it stays with the bottle all the way to the collection point.
Finishers’ Packs
Finishers’ packs will be sorted by t-shirt size and will include a bottle of water, your medal and other treats. Please take the pack that matches the t-shirt size you requested when you entered the event. Once you have collected your pack, please carry on through the exit system.
Please note the Pip & Nut Peanut Butter Stuffed Oat Bars are not suitable for peanut, oat, tree nut, milk or soya allergy sufferers.
T-Shirt Opt Out
If you selected ‘No T-Shirt’ at the time of entering the event, you will not receive a finishers’ t-shirt. Please follow the signage to the ‘No T-Shirt’ lane. This will be clearly indicated on your running number and there will be volunteers and stewards on hand to help direct you.
PLEASE NOTE: If you selected no T-Shirt, you cannot take a T-Shirt on the day. There are only enough on site for all those who requested one at the time of entering.
Official Photos
Event photos will be going live from the moment you pass a Marathon Photos Live photographer on the course. Don’t forget to check them out here when you finish and share your run number with your friends and family, and they can register to be notified as soon as your photos are available.
Runners Reward
You have exclusive access to Great Run Rewards powered by Endurance Zone. Great Run Rewards gives you access to a selection of fantastic discounts from our friends at Endurance Zone. Browse through hundreds of offers from a range of lifestyle, sport, fitness and outdoor brands.
Recycling
We’re constantly reviewing our sustainability and recycling practices and are making a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste from plastic and other materials across the entire event.
We work with local partners to remove waste (plastic, cardboard, wooden pallets, medals and signage) from the run site. We reuse generic signage and keep using it for as long as we can, and our outdated signage is fully recycled. Clothing discarded by runners at the start of the race is collected and donated to local charities.
• We ask that you please use the recycling bins on site to discard any waste accordingly.
• As part of our sustainability drive, there will be no bottled water at the start area. Please arrive hydrated, or bring your own supply, which you may carry with you while you run. A water bottle refill point will be located in Waterfront Square.
• There will be a number of Aqua Pura water stations along the route (see map for details)
• Look out for our new on-course bottle collection points after each water station, and drink, drain and aim to help us recycle your Aqua Pura bottle.
• If you opt to bring your own standard, single-use plastic water bottle, please make sure you throw it in the clearly marked recycling bins that will be available in the start and finish area.
Try to eat some starchy foods within two hours of finishing the event – your muscles can replace energy most efficiently during this post-run window.
Make sure you’re fully hydrated with water or squash before consuming any alcohol.
In the weeks leading up to the event, the colour of your urine is a useful indicator of hydration. Pale straw-coloured water is ideal.
During your run, drink when you need to. Don’t take big gulps if you’re not thirsty – you could put yourself in a condition called hyponatraemia where your body salts become diluted, possibly causing confusion and vomiting.
Make sure you know where the drink stations are on route. Water will be available, but only take a drink if you need one.
