Storm Ashley – the first named storm of this winter season – led to the cancellation of the Great South Run on Sunday (20 October 2024). High winds and heavy rain had been forecast in what some media outlets had described as a "weather bomb".

Race organisers Great Run issued this statement reflecting their safety concerns:  "We were really sorry to have had to cancel the 2024 Great South Run on Sunday due to the adverse weather from Storm Ashley. We know how much this event means to our runners, and how disappointing the news will have been. Our team did everything they could to give the event the best chance of going ahead as planned, however the safety of participants, staff and volunteers is our number one priority. The decision to cancel was made after comprehensive discussions with the Met Office, medical & safety teams, local authorities and key stakeholders."

According to local media sources, despite the well-publicised cancellation, several hundred runners still ran the course, some in their charity kit and some wearing their race numbers.

All entrants will be contacted and can receive a refund or rollover their entry to next year's race on Sunday 19 October 2025. Competitors also have until 9:00am on Monday 11 November 2024 to claim a 2024 Great South Run finisher's medal and T-shirt free of charge by completing a 10-mile run or further and providing evidence via this online form.

The Great South 5K went ahead the previous day, in much better weather conditions, with victory going to Chris Thompson (Aldershot, Farnham & District AC). The M40 master athlete ended his illustrious elite running career with a resounding win in 14:48. Podium places alongside the Great South Run legend were claimed by Malek Roostaei (City of Portsmouth AC, 15:23) and under-20 junior Thomas Evans (Winchester & District AC, 15:40 PB).

Another under-20 junior, Eve Bailey (Winchester & District AC, 18:35 PB) took the women's race from under-17 Sophie Lane (Southampton AC, 19:28) and under-15 Elodie Gill (Winchester & District AC, 19:54) – who has an 18:52 parkrun at Southampton to her credit.

All the details for the next edition of the Great South Run on 19 October 2025 are available here.

Photo of Great South Run 2021 (Chris Thompson far left in yellow vest) courtesy of Great Run Company