Since the Great South Run started modestly in 1990 with just 2,000 runners, the event has redefined mass participation running races in this region, and nearly half a million runners have participated in the past 30 years.

Now is the time to red circle this important weekend on your calendar: 16th-17th October 2021. After a Covid-enforced absence last year, Great South Run is back with all guns blazing and the popular weekend format has been retained for the 31st running of this superb event.

Great South Run's format is a little different in that the main event is held over 10 miles rather than the ubiquitous half marathon distance. The 20,000 field helps to maintain Great South Run's reputation as one of the world's favourite 10-mile road races.

The last staging of this race, in 2019, resulted in victories for Marc Scott (Cambridge & Coleridge, 46:57) on his debut and Eilish McColgan (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, 51:38) in a Scottish record and second fastest UK time ever to Paula Radcliffe's 51:11. 

Course highlights include Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard with its iconic visitor attractions such as HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, and the Mary Rose Museum. Fabulous sea views can be enjoyed in the closing stages from Clarence Esplanade, past Southsea Model Village, Southsea Pier, and the Rock Gardens before the final sprint on the Southsea front. 

For an overview of the spectacular course, watch this 3-minute Route Guide:

With the race just three months away it’s time to focus on your training. To help your preparation, organisers have created Great South Run Solo challenge to give you some extra guidance and motivation in the build-up to your event.  The 8-week challenge, from 23rd August to 17th October, is designed to get you race-ready and is the perfect training partner to ensure you’re at your best on race day.

For those who are not quite ready for the full Monty, there is Great South Run 5K on Saturday 16 October and for the little ones, there are Junior (2.5K) and Mini (1.5K) Great South Runs which are also held on Saturday before the main event onn Sunday. 

Full details of this runABC South featured race are available at the Great South Run website here

Image: Great South Run courtesy Great Run