Half marathon expected to raise £1m for charity

Thousands of people took to the streets of Bristol for a half marathon on Sunday morning.

Around 23,000 people competed in the AJ Bell Big Bristol Run.

Organiser Paul Foster, chief executive of The Great Run Company, said the event would raise around £1m for charity and was also of huge benefit to the city's economy.

"Every runner here has their own reason to run, whether it's for their health or fundraising for charity or just to be part of a community. It's important for each runner to be here today," Mr Foster said.

"The whole country is seeing a running boom but Bristol is particularly strong, there are running groups across the city," Mr Foster added.

The event also hosted the fifth annual Visually Impaired Runners 10k Challenge – the UK's first dedicated race for blind and partially sighted runners.

Stuart Francis won the visually impaired men's race in 49 minutes and 33 seconds, with Mark Hutchings taking second in 50 minutes and 21 seconds.

Becky Forster took first place in the women's race in 58 minutes and 4 seconds while Charlene Williams came second in one hour and one minute.

Finlay O'Ragen, a rugby player who took part in the run to raise money for the charity Maddy's Mark, said: "It was very difficult but it was definitely worth it."

Maddy's Mark was founded in memory of Maddy Lawrence, a 20-year-old University of the West of England (UWE) rugby player who died in March 2022 from complications after dislocating her hip during a match.

Ms O'Ragen said she chose to raise money for the charity because of the "good work" they did.

"It's good to get people involved in sport, it's good for their mental wellbeing," she said.

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