The Bristol Run Series isn’t just about putting one foot in front of the other. It’s about getting outside, getting moving, and feeling part of the #WeAreBristol community. Launched in 2020, the series continues to grow year on year, and so does its impact. Last year (2024-25), more than four in five participants said the series had a clear positive impact on their mental wellbeing, while 91% of staff and student participants reported that it improved their physical wellbeing, showing just how much of a difference moving more and feeling part of something can make.
What is the Bristol Run Series?
Despite the name, the Bristol Run Series is about much more than running! You can take part virtually at your own pace, or join us in person at events throughout the year. Along the way, you’ll find a carefully crafted Support Hub with free training plans to help keep you on track, a welcoming community to cheer you on, and even some collectible souvenir medals for a little extra motivation.
You simply choose your challenge: Pathway 1 aims to get you from 2.5K to 10K, whilst Pathway 2 goes from 5K to a Half Marathon. If committing to a pathway isn’t your thing, you can also sign up for individual events, so there’s no pressure to follow a set route!
ℹ️ Check out our Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started on Instagram.
The #WeAreBristol Community
At the heart of the Bristol Run Series is the people who take part, and the shared experiences that bring the community together. But don’t just take it from us. Jo and Sam, two members of our University staff community, share how the series has shaped their year:
“I love how the Bristol Run Series has introduced new challenges into my life, from the buzz of the big city Great Bristol 10K, to trail running on the Mendips, and running on the Two Tunnels railway path in Bath.
A real benefit is the flexibility of the Series. Last year, I was still recovering from a chest
infection before an in-person event. I was able to swap to running it virtually, so that I could run at a slower pace without getting carried away in a race environment.
Participating in the Bristol Run Series has given me the confidence to venture into entering events outside of the series, which are very much out of my comfort zone. I’m very grateful for the Series for opening my eyes to what is possible and proving you are never too old.
I love the structure the Bristol Run Series gives to my year and I’m excited to start planning my next events now that the Bristol Classics Series has been announced.”
– Jo Chambers, Senior Student Administrator (Bristol Veterinary School)
The Bristol Run Series is amazing! The support, motivation, energy, laughs, and post-run chats I’ve experienced over the years have been incredible, and I can’t recommend it enough. Pounding the pavements and fields alongside fellow members of the University community (while occasionally grasping for air and questioning my life choices) has taken me from non-runner pre-COVID to a full-blown marathon hustler.
– Sam Okyere, Senior Lecturer in Sociology
Join the Journey
Whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply looking to move more, the Bristol Run Series offers a supportive, inclusive space to challenge yourself and celebrate progress. As Jo and Sam’s stories show, you never quite know where those first steps might lead! Why not join in this year and see the difference it could make to your own wellbeing, confidence and sense of community?