Great South Run Portsmouth
This year the AJ Bell Great South Run in Portsmouth will see the return of thousands of people taking on a 10 mile (16 kilometre) course through the streets of the city.
Passing landmarks such as HMS Victory and the Spinnaker Tower, the route is almost flat, with minimal slopes around the course, helping make fast times achievable.
The Great South Run will be held in Portsmouth on Sunday 20th October 2024.
ENTRY FOR ALL EVENTS IS NOW OPEN, FOLLOW THIS LINK TO REGISTER FOR THE GREAT SOUTH RUN 2024
The event has grown from humble beginnings in 1990, with 2,000 runners to over 20,000 people taking part in the world's leading 10-mile run in Portsmouth, raising millions of pounds for charity. Runners take in the sights of the iconic Spinnaker Tower, passing through the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with the iconic HMS Warrior and HMS Victory in view, before crossing the finish line on Southsea Seafront, overlooking the Solent.
But its not just the sights and scenery that attracts runners from far and wide, the incredible local support, rocking on-course music zones and post-race celebrations create an unbeatable atmosphere from start to finish. The Great South Run at Portsmouth really is an event experience like no other.
- Saturday 19th October 2024: Junior and Mini events, and AJ Bell Great South 5k
- Sunday 20th October 2024: AJ Bell Great South Run (10 Mile)
The Great South Run experience
Over the last 30 years, up to 400,000 people have crossed the finish line of the Great South Run and the event has now grown into a packed weekend of sport, which also includes the Great South 5k and the Junior and Mini Great South Run.
Along with the thousands of fun runners, club athletes and charity teams, will be a mix of celebrities and elite athletes.
In 2009, Team GB favourite Mo Farah won the Great South Run in a time of 46 mins and 26 secs, the first British runner to win the race since Gary Staines secured his third win in 1996, Mo praised the Portsmouth crowd saying "The crowd made a big difference - they kept cheering me".
British ladies have also excelled with wins in previous Great South Runs, Liz McColgan (1995 & 1997), Marian Sutton (1998), Jo Pavey (2006 & 2012) and Paula Radcliffe (2008) have all taken 1st place in the race, which is classed as a Gold Label Road Race by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Great South Run - Charity Places
It's not all about the elite runners, every year thousands of fun runners, joggers, locals, celebrities and charity runners take part in the race, raising £millions for their chosen good causes.
It is estimated that more than £35 million has been raised for charities by runners in the Great South Run, since its start in 1990. In fact if you have not been able to secure a place, a guaranteed charity place is a good option, see links below.
Guaranteed charity place are a great way to get an entry to the Great South Run and at the same time helping to raise much needed funds for the charity. For details of charity running places please visit Great South Run Charity Places.
Great South Run Parking
Car Parking for the Great South Run in Portsmouth, can be a challenge due to road closures and the large number of participants. Here are some recommended parking options:
- Park & Ride: The Park & Ride at Tipner (near the M275) is a convenient option. Shuttle buses run regularly from the Park & Ride to the event area, reducing the stress of finding parking closer to the venue.
- City Centre Car Parks: Several car parks in Portsmouth city center are within walking distance of the event, such as the Cascades Shopping Centre Car Park and Gunwharf Quays. Be sure to arrive early, as these fill up quickly.
- Southsea Common: Some temporary parking is often made available on Southsea Common, close to the start/finish line, though spaces are limited.
- Residential Streets: If you park on nearby residential streets, be mindful of parking restrictions and local regulations.
- Alternatively travel in Portsmouth by train and walk from Portsmouth Harbour Station or Fratton Station to Southsea Seafront.
Planning to arrive early is key, as roads near the event will have closures, and parking spots fill up fast.
Road Closures
The roads adjacent to the start and finish of the Great South Run on Southsea Common will be closed on both Saturday and Sunday of the event. Other roads on which the race will be run will be closed from 09:00am. Roads are re-opened as soon as possible on a rolling basis but all roads will be re-opened by 14:00. If you arrive late use the city centre car parks and walk to the race start area. Roads and junctions will be controlled by race marshalls always adhere to their instructions for your and the runners safety.
As Portsmouth is an island there are only three access roads, so there is bound to be some congestion after the race, so why not stay a little longer and visit one of the numerous pubs or restaurants in Portsmouth, after all you will have earned it.
Portsmouth Accommodation
If you are planning to stay overnight or maybe make a weekend of it following the run there are plenty of Hotels to choose from, but book early
as it is bound to be a busy period, follow this link Portsmouth Hotels for more information.
What is the route of the Great South Run?
The course map of the Great South Run route below is interactive, there is information on points of interest along the route, click on the marker to see the details. The Great South Run starts and finishes at Southsea Seafront starting near the D-Day Museum and finishing opposite the Rock Gardens.
The course winds through Old Portsmouth, past HMS Warrior, HMS Victory in Portsmouth Dockyard, 2 lengths of Winston Churchill Avenue, back along the length of Southsea Seafront to Eastney and then west along the front towards the finish line.
Along the route runners will pass many Portsmouth landmarks such as the War Memorial, the Spinnaker Tower, the Historic Portsmouth Dockyard, the D-Day Story, the Pyramids Centre and the former Royal Marines barracks at Eastney.
Local running clubs
Training for events such as the Great South Run in Portsmouth can be easier and more enjoyable with the support of a local running club. Clubs offer structured training sessions, experienced coaching, and a supportive community of runners at various levels. Training with others can help improve motivation, provide tips on pacing and technique, and offer insights into local running routes, including those similar to the Great South Run course. Clubs often have specific programs tailored to events like the Great South Run, making it easier to prepare for the race.
- Baffins Fit Club
- Social Running Club For Mixed Abilities.
- Mondays 6:30pm. Meet at Baffins Pond near the library
- Facebook page
- Portsmouth Joggers
- 7pm every Tuesday and Thursday, in the main entrance hall of Lakeside 1000 North Harbour.
- https://www.pjc.org.uk
- Hilsea Running Club
- Runs take place on Tuesdays at 6:30pm and start at Hilsea Lido
- Facebook page
- City of Portsmouth Athletics Club
- Based at Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth
- https://www.portsmouthathletic.co.uk
- Isle of Wight Road Runners
- Thursdays - Upstairs Function Room of Newport Social Club, St. James Street, Newport at 18:45 for a 19:00 start
- http://isleofwightroadrunners.net
Great South Run, Portsmouth and Southsea
