The Great South Run is an annual 10 mile (16.09 km) road running race which takes place in Portsmouth, United Kingdom providing an intermediate distance between the ten kilometre and the half marathon (21.097 km) runs. Launched in 1990, it is part of the Great Run series created by former British athlete Brendan Foster.IAAF back Nova International in street racing initiative. Great Run (18 May 2009). Retrieved 25 October 2009. It was originally held in Southampton, but the race moved to its current course after the first edition.History and Tradition . Great Run. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
The Great South Run has become one of Europe's most popular mass participation races over 10 miles, with a record 21,000 entries for the 2009 race.Hedley, Nicola (19 October 2009). Kibet seeks another victory in Portsmouth. IAAF. Retrieved 25 October 2009. Although the elite race is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race which attracts some of the most successful professional runners,Ndereba to headline women's 10-miler field in Portsmouth. IAAF (29 September 2009). Retrieved 25 October 2009. it is not a recognised distance for purposes of IAAF records. World record holder Paula Radcliffe and 2007 World Champion Luke Kibet are among the past winners. The event is currently sponsored by AJ Bell. Previous sponsors have been ExpressTest by Cignpost Diagnostics (2021), Simplyhealth (2017–2019), Morrisons (2015), Bupa (1993–2014) and Diet Coke (1990–1992). The 2016 and 2022 races did not have a major sponsor.
The 1999 edition of the race was selected to be the Amateur Athletic Association 10-mile championships that year.British Road Race Championships – Great South Run winners. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 25 October 2009. In 2021, British runner Eilish McColgan set the current women's record of 50:42. Paula Radcliffe won the women's race in 2008 in a time of 51 minutes 11 seconds, a new British record.Superb Radcliffe wins Great South. BBC Sport (26 October 2008). Retrieved 25 October 2009. Kenyan runner Joseph Ebuya won the 2010 edition in 45:15 minutes, which was a significant improvement upon the previous UK all-comers record held by the 1995 winner Benson Masya.Martin, Dave (24 October 2010). Ebuya clocks the fastest ever 10 Miles in UK. IAAF. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
Channel 5 broadcast the Great South Run every year until 2019. The event is currently untelevised.
The 2026 Great South Run will take place on 18th October.
Past winners
Key:
EditionYearDateMen's winnerTime (m:s)Women's winnerTime (m:s)1st199047:5256:092nd199147:1153:163rd199247:0453:194th199346:1153:015th199447:0054:496th199545:5653:127th199646:5752:398th199746:5352:009th199847:4054:1710th199919 September47:4254:4211th200026 November (rescheduled after event postponed in September due to flooding and fuel protests)48:2655:1012th200114 October46:1752:3613th20028 September47:2751:0014th200312 October46:3553:2615th200410 October47:1452:3216th20059 October46:4551:2717th200622 October47:1752:4618th200728 October47:3153:4419th200846:4251:1120th200946:2552:3221st201045:1552:0322nd201146:1852:5523rd201246:4053:0124th201348:0353:5325th201446:3152:4026th201546:0051:1727th201647:2351:4928th201748:3255:2529th201846:5654:4330th201946:5751:382020Event cancelled due to COVID-1931st202147:2050:4332nd202247:1954:2933rd202346:4154:052024Event cancelled due to high winds and rain34th2025Marc Scott 47:21Verity Ockenden 56:3735th2026TBATBATBATBA
References General British Road Race Championships – Great South Run winners. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2009-10-25. Martin, Dave (2006-10-22). Pavey bounces back with Great South Run victory. IAAF. Retrieved 2009-10-25. Martin, Dave (2009-10-25). Farah scores tremendous victory while Monteiro destroys opposition in Portsmouth. IAAF. Retrieved 2009-10-25. Specific
External links Official Great Run website