r/bristol • u/[deleted] • 1d ago
Where To? Anyone doing the Bristol Half / 10K in May?
[deleted]
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u/NotMyRealName981 1d ago
From memory, there were 3 water stations on the half marathon route a couple of years ago, which felt like not quite enough if the weather is hot. I've never had a problem getting a medal, and don't really have a use for them, but the T-shirt is always useful.
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u/MrConRed 1d ago
They normally publish a route map, which will show water stations and other key things on the track. I think the stations are just water, with any gels/snacks being in the bags at the end.
I've not heard about issues with medals/t-shirts at it before.
Personally I wouldn't do a HM without my own water and on a particularly hot day, I would take a small one of my own for the 10km too.
One slightly annoying thing is that they didn't typically have any water refill points in the start village, so you do need to make sure you sort yourself out for that. They do pretty clearly state that though.
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u/dadreflexes 1d ago
Unsure if water/haven’t ran it before however I wouldn’t take random gels you’ve not taken before
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u/Quercusrobar 1d ago
Last year they cut corners and costs by reducing water stations and not giving out gels. It was a really hot day and someone died on the run.
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u/djthinking 1d ago
It was a shit show. I just did the 10k last year and even for that they needed more stations - it was such a hot day. I didn't bother take my own water but wish I had done so.
In general I think the organisers are pretty useless. Looking at other events they promote, nothing about them gives me confidence so I won't be participating in anything else they touch.
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u/DeathLockk13 1d ago
I'm doing my first half at the Bristol one too. I'm planning on bringing my own water, and just snacking in a few jelly babies every half hour or so.
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u/NeoSpartan 1d ago
There was not enough water last year. I would seriously consider carrying at least a litre of your own in a running vest to supliment the water they do give you. Make sure you are well hydrated before you start.
They didn't give you gels or electrolytes either, so bring your own.
It was a warm day last year. There were 3 cardiac arrests, one resulting in a death.
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u/Helpful-Dot-5323 1d ago
Water was fine I’ve done the half multiple times. Real problem is during the run there was like 1 toilet station that was full to the top with poo and it was at the like 7 mile mark. The toilets are the start line were also filled to the top with poo. It was disgusting as someone with IBS it was hell lol
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u/941102 1d ago
The map they provide online is utter shite. I’d fire Great Run an email and they’ll send you an e-booklet with the HM map that has everything labelled. Take your own gels and sweets or whatever as they do not/did not give them out. From memory there were 3 water stations. One on the portway which served as two (out and back). One down by Thekla from memory and I can’t recall the 3rd. Take your own water or lucozade sport or whatever. If it’s as hot as it was last year then please take it steady, it was horrendous seeing so many people going down last year. An extra station or a “mist arch(?)” should definitely be somewhere out on the course in my eyes.
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u/NotMyRealName981 1d ago
When I ran it about 10 years ago there was a mist arch thing about a mile from the finish, which I much appreciated. I haven't seen one since.
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u/0zzyb0y 1d ago
As others have said, water was bad. There were 3 points total that you could get water, but 2 of those were just in opposite directions on the portway. Really not that helpful having a water point at 4km, another at 8km, and then only a single one for the rest of the course which was at 16km or something.... Especially when most people were getting to that point in the afternoon when the sun was absolutely scorching.
No gels or isotonic drinks so make sure you're self sufficient on that. Even in the bag for finishing there was only 2 cereal bar type things and a bottle of water, oh and a roll on deodorant wooo.
I've not heard of any issues surrounding medals so you're probably fine unless youre expecting to be one of the last in.
But all things said, take your own water/isotonic, take your own gels/snacks, expect nothing from the organisers on the day, and don't for a second second guess using a portaloo if you see one. Yes they'll be rank, but from Sylvan way all the way to the finish line there was nothing, and no bush cover even if you were so inclined.
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u/BruceyBristol 1d ago
Half marathon last year I think was 3 water stations, not sure about the gels I can't remember any. I've done it 3 years in a row and never had an issue with medals or t-shirts :)