News / Sport
New company to take over Bristol runs
Great Run, the UK’s biggest mass participation events series, is set to take over the RunBristol Half Marathon and 10K races from the council in 2016.
The company already runs over 38 events across the country, including the prestigious Great North Run.
RunBristol, organised by the council, has been responsible for 27 years of running events in Bristol. The Bristol half marathon has grown since its foundation in 1989 to an event with a developing international reputation, attracting over 16,000 participants. An expected 22,000 participants will take part across both events in 2016, the company said.
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Great Run was chosen as a partner by Bristol City Council through a competitive tender process. Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson said the company was chosen due to their “organisational experience” and “proven track record of delivering successful mass-participation sporting events”.
The mayor recognised there had been “hiccups in the past” and Great Run could help the events run with “greater efficiency” in the future. At the 2014 RunBristol 10K race, organisers ran out of medals and t-shirts and there was a shortage of water at the finish line.
“We are looking forward to building on the great work already achieved by RunBristol and developing these events even further in partnership with Great Run Company, helping to raise Bristol’s profile as a city of sport,” he said.
Mark Hollinshead, chief executive of Great Run, said he hoped the company could use its experience and database of over one million runners across the UK to raise the number of participants from Bristol and beyond.
“However, first and foremost, these events belong to Bristol and the people of Bristol,” he stressed. “With over three decades of experience in organising some of the world’s best known races, we’re planning to use our knowledge to enhance these already fantastic events.
“Our national profile will encourage more runners from around the country, along with their friends and family, to visit this amazing city.”
Philip Walker, head of engagement at Bristol City Council, hopes the partnership will transform the races from “local community events” to give them a “higher profile”, whilst remaining “embedded in the community”.
The newly-named 2016 Great Bristol 10K will take place on May 15, followed by the Great Bristol Half Marathon on September 25.
To celebrate the launch of the new events, Great Run is offering a £10 discount to the first 1,000 people to sign up for both events.
For more information or to enter either event visit: www.greatrun.org.
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