Run and Rave- Bristol

Intrepid reporter James (with daughter) attends an alternative running event called ‘Run and Rave’

What an era this is to be a senior runner, and what adventures await our juniors when they reach the age of 18! I am speaking of participating in my first ‘Run and Rave’ in Bristol on the evening of Friday 15th August. 

‘Run and Rave’ is an organisation with a publicly stated mission to offer a healthy alternative to alcohol fuelled enjoyment (and its inevitable hangovers), while delivering the same buzz that you would get from a big night out. With so many junior athletes over the years quitting our sport due to such distractions, I’m eager to promote the existence of genuine enticements to remain proudly athletic while being safely connected to contemporary rave culture. Running gives you the stamina to enjoy it, completely naturally and healthily. But this article is not just for teens and students, this is for all senior and veteran age groups, so read on! 

‘Run and Rave’ hold these ticketed non-competitive 5k running events, often on the South Coast, but on this occasion more local to us in the beating cultural heart of Bristol; the Harbourside. I took part with eldest daughter R-J, formerly one of the club’s juniors, and it was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our staycation summer. 

The event’s focus was very much about combining running and music as a means to social enjoyment. The portable sound system (4 interconnected speakers mounted into runnable rucksacks that the host + 3 volunteers carry) played one form of dance music or another (mainly drum ‘n bass), very loud, crisp and well selected to genuinely deliver an extra dose of runner’s euphoria alongside the interconnectedness with our fellow runners. While the pace was gentle and sociable it still generated that feeling of having done something (in the heat of last Friday I still managed to soak my vest in my usual way 🥵), which is why the combination with the effects of the music was extra-euphoric. This is not the same as running in a bubble with earphones (which I actually detest) because it’s a shared experience that everyone is into - just like being at a gig/festival/rave event.

This was the perfect occasion for wearing one’s carefully curated selection of neon-coloured kit and accessories. It was clear as an observer of trends in running wear that this event caters for many runners’ preferences for individual expression - after all, running is competing with trendy activities such as Hyrox and CrossFit for participants to combine activities and social lives. However one need not invest in the inimitable Widdowson style to take part, black and neutral shades were equally evident!

Starting close to Queen’s Square, the route hugged the Harbourside path, a beautiful way to view many of Bristol’s highlights. It also attracted the attention of countless diners, drinkers and walkers who were quick to smile, film us, and wave back, and thus we fuelled a wave of excitement and positive energy throughout our half hour journey. One could sense that whilst enjoying ourselves immensely, we were also a great advert for running as an enjoyable pastime. Maybe next time, some of those in the dining and drinking establishments would be joining this event instead?

Once the run was completed we continued the social aspect back at the host establishment by chatting with our fellow runners, making new connections, while enjoying some very tasty non-alcoholic beer (two choices on tap at the Clubhaus Harbourside) and the drum ‘n bass selection continued to play.

So did the event deliver on its stated promise of not needing inebriation to get that big night out buzz? Absolutely! In only half an hour of running alongside those booming speakers and 30+ other participants, I really did get that feeling of euphoria and that a good time was had - same reported by my daughter. What a magical activity running can be.

I’m not sure that Cirencester is ready for this kind of event, but then again I’m not sure I’d want it to be - an excuse to visit our vibrant, nearest big city was part of the attraction. Easily reached by train, and Temple Meads only a kilometre away from the event HQ.

If anyone would like to see and hear any of the countless videos that we took, please let me know via the WhatsApp group ‘races and events’ and I shall oblige. I shall also publicise the next ‘Run and Rave - Bristol’.