Great South Run

The Great South Run is a flat, fast 10-mile road race that starts and finishes on Southsea Common in Southsea, part of Portsmouth on England's south coast. Founded in 1990 as part of Brendan Foster's Great Run series, it was first held in Southampton before moving to Portsmouth the following year, and now draws around 30,000 runners as one of the most popular 10-mile events in Europe. The route loops through the heart of Portsmouth past landmarks including Portsmouth Harbour, the Historic Dockyard, and HM Naval Base at Portsea before a long, scenic finish along the seafront on Clarence Esplanade, with sweeping views across the Solent. With a highest point of only about 7 metres (23 feet) above sea level, the course has no significant climbs, making it a favorite for runners chasing a personal best over the 10-mile distance. The race has carried IAAF/World Athletics Gold Label status and has attracted elite fields including Paula Radcliffe and Luke Kibet; the current course records are held by Joseph Ebuya (45:15) and Eilish McColgan (50:43, set in 2021). Sponsorship has changed hands several times over the race's history, from Diet Coke (1990-1992) and Bupa (1993-2014) to Morrisons, Simplyhealth, and currently AJ Bell, but the event is known throughout the UK running community simply as the Great South Run. The 2026 edition falls on Sunday 18 October, the second day of a full Great South Run weekend that also includes a 5K, junior, and mini races on the Saturday.