Simply what is the Great South Run?
Each year thousands of runners descend on Portsmouth to run, walk or jog 10 miles around the city, but what is the Simplyhealth Great South Run?
Starting at Southsea Common, participants follow a largely flat, 10-mile route around Portsmouth finishing at the Pyramids Centre.
Along the route runners will pass a number of noteable sites including Portsmouth Cathedral, Spinnaker Tower and HMS Victory- to name just a few.
The event attracts around 25,000 runners — with elites, celebrities and fun runners all coming together to take on the challenge.
One runner — Grace Thomas, 21, who got into running last year — said: “It sounds like a really great run to do. I’ve heard it’s a great atmosphere with people cheering you on.”
Past winners include Olympian Mo Farah and Paula Radcliffe, who won the Women’s in 2008.
The Great South Run actually began in 1990 in Southampton and was then known as the Diet Coke Great South Run, before moving to Portsmouth in 1991 where it has continued for the last 27 years.
Many of the runners taking part will be fundraising for a range of charities and it’s estimated around £35 million has been raised for various causes since the event began.
The main run is open to anyone over 16 who would like to take part and for £42 a runner will receive entry to the race, a medal, t-shirt and special finisher’s pack upon completion.
But the Great South Run isn’t just about the 10 miles on the Sunday.
On Saturday 20th October a number of shorter runs take place for everyone from children to dogs.
A 5 kilometre run (about 3.1 miles) is available to those aged 14 up who don’t want to take on the full 10 miles.
Children aged 9–15 can take place in the Junior a 2.5 kilometre race and even the youngest in the family can get involved with the Mini for 3–8 year olds with a distance of 1.5 kilometres.
And the Great South Run isn’t just for humans — a 2.5 kilometre run is available for people and their four-legged friends in the canine race!
The Great South Run weekend will kick off on Saturday 20th October with the first event the Great South 5K beginning at 10:30am.
