It’s one of the biggest running events in the South West

(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

One of the most popular running events in the region, The Great Bristol Run returns this month with thousands expected to take on the challenge and run the iconic ‘super-scenic’ route through the city.

Known these days as the AJ Bell Great Bristol Run, the event features a 10K and half marathon, both of which are sold out this year. Both events will take place on Sunday, May 10.

We’ve compiled a list of key information – from when and where it’s all happening, to how it will affect motorists due to road closures. Here’s all you need to know…

When is The AJ Bell Great Bristol Run 2026?

The AJ Bell Great Bristol Run – the 10K and half marathon – takes place on Sunday, May 10, 2026, and participants will need to make their way to the start and assembly areas on Anchor Road and Canons Way.

According to the official event guide for this year published on the website, start timings will be staggered as follows:

  • The Information Point (located at Millennium Square) will open at 7am on the day
  • 10K Purple Wave and Half Marathon assembly area will open at 7.30am
  • 10K Purple Wave and Half Marathon warm-up starts at 8.10am
  • 8.20am will see the 10K Purple Wave start
  • 8.30am will see the Half Marathon Orange Wave start (including fast paced HM Club runners)
  • 8.44am – Half Marathon Green Wave start
  • 9.05am – Half Marathon Pink Wave start
  • 9.30am – 10K assembly areas open
  • 10.30am – Warm up for 10K
  • 10.38am – 10K VI Wave start
  • 10.40am – 10K Blue Wave start
  • 10.59am – 10K Yellow Wave start
  • 11.18am – 10K Red Wave start

(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

The event site and Information Point will close at 2.30pm.

Your wave colour and start time can be found on your run number, which should arrive in the post around two weeks before the event.

Once you’ve received it, you have everything you need for event day and you don’t need to visit the Information Point to register on the day.

You attach your run number, which has your timing chip attached, to the front of your running top with safety pins and head to the start line.

Can I still enter?

The Great Bristol Run is now sold out. There are, however, a limited number of charity places remaining – you can view a list here.

If you’ve missed out on a place this year, you can sign up to the 2027 priority access list for next year’s event.

Sign up here to get exclusive access to a Priority pre-sale for 2027, where you can secure your place at the lowest price before entries open to the general public.

What are the prizes?

All finishers will receive a finishers’ pack as soon as they cross the finish line. Packs are sorted by size, so runners should ensure they take the T-shirt size they requested on their entry form. Their medal will be inside the finishers’ pack.

(Image: AJ Bell)

Getting to the event

You can plan your journey by public transport to the Great Bristol Run via Travel West here. While Better By Bike can help plan your route and find bike parking.

You can view a map of car parks in the city, created by the Great Bristol Run team here if you find you need to drive. And you can find out more information about Bristol’s Clean Air Zone fees, rules and regulations here.

For train information – the event is working closely with Great Western Railway for further travel options. Find out more here. And Bristol Ferry are also encouraging participants to use their Waterbus Service on event day, and are giving participants £1 off all fares, or free travel if arriving with a group of three other people.

Road closures

Here are all road closures for the event on this day including those with parking suspensions in place:

  • A4 Portway (Hotwell Road to Sylvan Way) – 6am-2.45pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Anchor Road – 2am-6pm
  • Ashton Avenue – 6am-2.30pm
  • Avon Crescent – 6am-2.30pm
  • Baldwin Street – 6am-2pm
  • Bennett Way – 6am-2.45pm
  • Bridge Valley Road – 6am-2.45pm
  • Bristol Bridge – 6am-2pm
  • Broad Quay – 4am-2pm
  • Broad Weir – 6am-2pm
  • Brunel Lock Road – 6am-2.30pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Brunswick Place – 6am-2.30pm
  • Cabot Way – 6am-2.45pm
  • Canon’s Road – 2am-6pm
  • Canon’s Way – 2am-6pm
  • Castle Street – 6am-2pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Christina Terrace – 6am-2.45pm
  • Christmas Street – 4am-2pm
  • Clare Street – 6am-2pm
  • College Green – 4am-2pm
  • College Square – 2am-6pm
  • Colston Avenue – 4am-2pm
  • Commercial Road (access only) -6am-2.30pm
  • Corn Street – 6am-2pm
  • Counterslip – 6am-2pm
  • Cumberland Basin Road – 6am-2.45pm
  • Cumberland Road – 6am-2.30pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Deanery Road – 2am-6pm
  • Explore Lane – 2am-6pm
  • Harbourway – 2am-6pm
  • High Street – 6am-2pm
  • Hotwell Road (westbound) – 6am-2.45pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Humphry Davy Way – 6am-2.45pm
  • Lewin’s Mead (St John’s Bridge to Colston Ave) – 4am-2pm
  • Lime Kiln Road – 2am-6pm
  • Little King Street (Welsh Back to Queen Charlotte Street) – 6am-2pm
  • Lower Castle Street – 6am-2pm
  • Lower College Street – 2am-6pm
  • Marsh Street – 6am-2pm
  • McAdam Way – 6am-2.30pm
  • Merchants Road (including Junction Lock Bridge) – 6am-2.30pm
  • Merchants Road (Rownham Mead to Humphry Davy Way) – 6am-2.45pm
  • Middle Avenue – 6am-2pm
  • Newgate – 6am-2pm
  • Park Street – 4am-2pm
  • Partition Street – 2am-6pm
  • Passage Street – 6am-2pm
  • Phippen Street – 6am-2pm
  • Plimsoll Bridge/Brunel Way – 6am-2.45pm
  • Prince Street – 6am-2pm
  • Prince Street Bridge – 6am-2pm
  • Quay Street (Small Street to Christmas Street) – 4am-2pm
  • Queen Charlotte Street – 6am-2pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Queen Square (road and square footpath) – 6am-2pm
  • Queen Street – 6am-2pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Redcliff Hill (access only) – 6am-2pm
  • Redcliff Street – 6am-2pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Redcliffe Bascule Bridge – 6am-2pm
  • Redcliffe Way (eastbound) – 6am-2pm
  • Rownham Mead (Hotwell Road to Merchants Road) – 6am-2.45pm
  • Rupert Street (St Johns Bridge to Colston Avenue) – 4am-2pm
  • Smeaton Road – 6am-2.30pm
  • St Augustine’s Parade – 4am-2pm
  • St Thomas Street – 6am-2pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • St Thomas Street East – 6am-2pm
  • Temple Street (Counterslip to Victoria Street) – 6am-2pm
  • The Grove – 6am-2pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Three Queens Lane – 6am-2pm
  • Thunderbolt Square – 6am-2pm
  • Victoria Street – 6am-2pm
  • Wapping Road – 6am-2pm – parking suspensions in place too
  • Welsh Back (The Grove to King Street) – 6am-2pm
  • Wine Street – 6am-2pm