Bristol Run Series Support Hub
As part of our Run Series community you can access our library of resources, curated by our in-house team and created to get you to the finish line, whatever your goal.
On this page
Pathway training plans
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Starter
Build your confidence and ability to complete your events. Events include 2.5 km, 5 km, 5 mile, and 10 km distances.
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Improver
A pathway to keep you accountable. Events include 5 km, 10 km,10 mile, and half marathon distances.
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Challenger
Your pathway to a full distance marathon. Events include 10 km, half marathon, 20 mile, and full marathon distances.
Bristol run routes
We've created a variety of routes that take you around picturesque Bristol. All routes have been created on Strava for you to upload to your Strava account, or if you don’t have an account open the link and follow the routes as you continue your training.
- 2.5 km Harbourside
- 5 km Harbourside loop
- 6.5 km Coombe Dingle to the Clifton Downs
- 5 mile Avon Towpath
- 5 mile Clifton loop
- 5 mile Indoor Sports Centre loop
- 10 km Clifton Downs and Redland loop
- 15 km Scenic Bristol loop
- 10 mile Avon Towpath
- 10 mile Urban route
- 10 mile Scenic Bristol City Centre
- Half marathon along the River Avon
- Half marathon Leigh Woods and Ashton Court
Bristol running groups
Running with other people can be an opportunity to build friendships and improve your motivation. Throughout Bristol there's a variety of running groups; one of these could be just what you're looking for!
Have a look at the different run / walk groups and contact them directly to find out more information.
Don't forget! There are weekly parkruns across Bristol too: Find your local Bristol parkrun.
Health and fitness on-demand
To accompany your running, our gym team have created strength, fitness and stretch exercises for you to complete. In your training plan you will see 'Gym and cross-training' sessions and these exercises are great examples of what gym based activity you can do.
Warm up and stretches
- Running warm up (video)
- Glute stretch (video)
- Hamstring stretch (video)
- Quad stretch (video)
- Hip mobility (video)
Strength and conditioning workout
View and download a follow-along gym workout session. Find videos of the individual exercises performed in this workout.
Core workout
Follow along to a 9 minute 30 seconds core workout video that our gym team have created.
Running blog and advice
The perfect accompaniment to your morning cup of tea, our blog posts will share advice, information and stories that will help you reach your goal. If you are looking for more specific running-related advice, below are articles of common questions.
- Running and Nutrition (podcast)
- Blisters – How to prevent them (article)
- Coming back from injury (article)
- How to improve your technique (article)
- All levels of runner's advice (article)
Runners' Community Facebook Group
Sustainability
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Shoes
Since the Summer of 2022, we have had a shoe donation point at the Indoor Sport Centre as part of our partnership with JogOn, who are an organisation aiming to remove 1 million running shoes from landfill. Head to our facility and drop off any old pairs of shoes. You can read more about where your trainers go and JogOn’s aim on their website.
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Clothing
Not sure what to do with your old running clothes? Take a moment to have a read on the Bristol Councils website to understand what clothing can be collected through your recycling, as well as learning some helpful tips to ensure your old clothes see a second life.
Runner's Massage
We offer a service aimed to support the running community at the Sports Medicine Clinic.
These 30-minute appointments will prioritise the lower body and focus on the specific needs of those building up mileage or just getting (back) into running.
Email the Sports Medicine Clinic for more information.
Download the app
Access the Run Series Support Hub plus view activity timetables, book fitness classes and manage your bookings, on the University of Bristol Active app.