This is the 300 year old Konigsberg Bridge problem - a mathematical exercise to determine whether it's possible to cross every bridge in a city only once, starting and finishing at the same place. In the 1700s, it was determined that it was not possible in Konigsberg despite there being only 7 bridges. It is possible in Bristol with its 45 bridges, however.
My son (Matthew) and I started at the north end of Bristol Bridge and proceeded to cross 42 of the 45 bridges (although Matthew had to drop out 3 miles from the end with a recurring knee injury). His place for the run-in was taken by his girlfriend Katie who had also done the first 10 miles with us. Why only 42 bridges? Because 3 are currently closed to the public - bridges 9, 10 & 29, Brooke's Bridge, St Phillip's Footbridge and Gaol Ferry Bridge respectively. Actually, bridge 10 you can cross but the exit is blocked, so having missed out bridge 9 we ran alongside the river and crossed bridge 10 there and back before continuing. Likewise, with Gaol Ferry Bridge closed, after crossing bridges 27 and 28 we ran along the north side of the river and crossed bridge 30 (Vauxhall Bridge) twice before resuming our journey. Total distance travelled was therefore the same.
After crossing the Clifton Suspension Bridge we took a longer route to get through Leigh Woods on the way to Pill so that added on maybe a mile to our total distance.
The beauty with running through a city is that there are loads of places to buy water and snacks which we did in Clifton, Pill and on the Bristol harbourside.
The photo is of me and Matt on the M5 crossing, the most westerly bridge on the route.
Let's face it, this is a ridiculously easy FKT to beat. We had a lovely run through the city on a day in the mid to high 20s and we stopped for sandwiches, coffee, ice cream and water on several occasions.