The AJ Bell Great South Run is back for its 33rd spectacular celebration on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October, 2023 – that's next weekend to be clear! With AJ Bell Great South Run 5K and AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great South Run on Saturday and the world-famous AJ Bell Great South Run 10-mile race on Sunday, around 20,000 runners will be participating in the South Coast’s greatest annual mass participation event.
 
'Stunning running at every turn' is promised by the organisers as this 10-mile route flyover demonstrates...

With a glorious seafront start and finish on Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, with breathtaking views of the Isle of Wight on a clear day, the course weaves its way through the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth and past Southsea Castle.

In celebration of the coastal setting, the theme of this year’s Junior and Mini Great South Run is ‘Seaside Saturday’. Minis aged 3-8 will take on a 1.5K dash, while Juniors aged 9-15 tackle a 2.5K challenge. With plenty of encouragement from the crowds, it’s an action-packed day with an atmosphere like no other.

For the first time, Junior and Mini South Run runners will be joined by Great South Run's very own mascot, Tyney the Tortoise. There are prizes for the best fancy dress, so think seaside creatures, tentacles, mermaids, pirates, and so on.  As Great South Run says: "Sea you at the start line".

Entries are still available for all events from £19 to £46 according to age and distance and all events include the renowned Great Run experience for both competitors and support crew.

All entrants can sign up for free training advice and a personal training plan for the selected distance – so why not enter the AJ Bell Great South 5K and select a 10K or 10-mile training plan or sign up for the AJ Bell Great South Run 10-mile race and choose the half marathon plan? Nothing beats the feeling of being prepared for the next level of challenge and there are plenty of opportunities within the Great Run portfolio of great races.

Good luck to the 20,000 runners next weekend...

Full details and entry links are at the AJ Bell Great South Run website here.

Previous results and reports at runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy of Great South Run