This will be the 29th running of the Great South Run and organisers will be hoping for better luck with the weather than last year, when torrential rain forced the cancellation of the Junior and Mini Great South Run and the Great South 5K, held on Saturday before the main event.

The 2017 Great South Run champions were British internationals Chris Thompson (Aldershot, 48:32) and Gemma Steel (Charnwood, 55:25) – yes, it really is possible to run 10 miles that fast in windy conditions!

Simplyhealth Great South Run will be televised live from 10:00am on Sunday on Channel 5. The coverage always includes inspirational views as the throng enters Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard and passes iconic landmarks such as HMS Victory, HMS Warrior and the Mary Rose Museum.

Stunning sea views are promised as the athletes charge down the final miles on Eastney and Clarence Esplanade and past Southsea Model Village, Southsea Pier and the Rock Gardens – all popular vantage points where runners can be supported twice en route. Celebrity runners to spot this year include British 400m record holder Iwan Thomas and actor Stephen Mangan.

Entries for the main event closed months ago but there is still time to get actively involved in the Simplyhealth Great South Run weekend by entering the Great South 5K on Saturday morning or the 2.5K Junior Great South Run or 1.5K Mini Great South Run on Saturday afternoon. Entries for Saturday's events will close at 16:00 hours on Friday 19 October.

This year sees the launch of a brand new event for our four legged friends (entries closed). The Simplyhealth Canine Run, over a flat 2.5K course, will start on Clarence Esplanade at 9am on Saturday morning.

All the race information is available at the Great South Run website here

Image courtesy Simplyhealth Great South Run