Event overview
Thousands of everyday heroes take part in the Great South Run each year to challenge themselves and to raise money for good causes.
Portsmouth’s supporters will spur you on, keeping your spirits and motivation up the whole way around, with blaring music, cheers, high fives, and fist bumps which are all part of the incredible Great South Run experience. Plus, there’s a medal, an exclusive finisher t-shirt, and bragging rights at the finish line!
Be your greatest this year!
Over 25,000 runners take part in the Great South Run weekend each autumn and a huge number of these will be charity runners.
Run for charity
These incredible charity runners raise millions of pounds for important causes. You too can get a charity place in the event and make a positive difference at the same time by running for one of these charities.
What are charity places?
Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and get a place in the event, especially if general entries have sold out.
Highlights
- Fast and flat route with breathtaking sea views
- Run past some of the city's most famous landmarks
- Music and entertainment to keep you motivated
- Free training plans and support up to event day
- Run number personalised with your name
- Exclusive discounts when you sign up
- Free Great Run series event day tracking app
- Finishers' pack, bespoke medal and optional t-shirt
Benefits of running for charity
Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus many extras which will elevate your event experience - see the Fundraising section.
Event photos
Event video
- Average fitness
- Event village
- Families
- Fancy dress
- Newcomers
- Spectators
- Teams
- Wheelchair users
Timetable
Wheelchair entrants
The Great South Run is suitable for wheelchair users. There is a question on the entry form that asks if you are a wheelchair user and if you will be participating in a self-propelled racing wheelchair, or if you will be participating in a standard wheelchair and will be assisted (pushed).
Business Challenge
The Business Challenge is a corporate running challenge in the biggest cities across the UK. It’s open to organisations of all shapes and sizes, is suitable for groups large or small (minimum team of 4) and is great for all ages and abilities. If you’re tired of cringey teambuilding exercises, it’s a great way to invest in workforce wellbeing for a happier and healthier team.
- A team can be four or more, there is no maximum number of team members.
- The finishing times of the fastest 4 members of the team will be used to calculate the overall team time.
- Manage your team through an easy-to-use group dashboard. Swap runners up until six weeks before the event.
- The winning team at each event will receive a trophy to display with pride.
- Bag storage
- Coast
- Entertainment
- Toilets
- Urban
- Distance markers
- Entertainment
- First aid
- Flat
- Food stations
- Marshals
- Out and back
- PB
- Sweeper
- Traffic free
- Water stations
- Wave start
Summary
The fast and flat 10-mile course is steeped in history, passing naval landmarks, cathedrals and castles. Experience Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard, running past the incredible HMS Victory and complete your 10-mile challenge at the seafront finish line.
Map
- Public transport links
- Sustainability policy
- Trees not tees
Sustainability Policy
This event is in the process of updating its Sustainability Strategy in light of its collaborative approach and recent survey. Work to minimise the environmental impacts of this event will continue throughout this process, with particular focus on:
- Reducing plastic
- Reducing waste
- Cutting carbon emissions
- Responsible procurement
In addition, it is striving to improve performance even further by making sure that sustainability is embedded at the heart of the organisation and culture.
Trees not tees
Finisher tees are now optional. You can choose to forgo your finisher tee shirt at the point of entry, and in lieu of this the organiser will make a donation to the National Trust Woodlands Appeal.
The organisers will donate a portion of the fulfilment costs for each runner who chooses this option to the fund and commit this donation will be around £20,000.
- Chip timing
- Event app
- Goody bag
- iTAB
- Map
- Medal
- Race photo
- Technical t-shirt
- Training plan
Included
The medal
A shiny new, Great South Run medal, an exclusive finishers t-shirt plus a finisher’s bag filled with goodies.
The app
Event day tracking and results ready to view on the app shortly after you cross the finish line.
The discounts
Access to exclusive runners only discounts and offers via the rewards platform.
Optional extra
iTAB
Make it personal with an iTAB. Order yours when you sign up.
T-shirt
For environmental reasons the official t-shirt is now optional.
The photos
Official event day photos available to view and purchase straight after the event, so smile for the cameras!
Benefits of running for charity
When the going gets tough, your admirers step in! As 'masters of motivation', your chosen cause will spur you on and provide plenty of perks in the process:
Fundraising support
Charities know that raising money is all part of the 10-mile challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think eye-catching videos for social and traditional collection tins too.
Training support
Whether this is your first or fifth 10-miler, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation to help you get your best time.
Branded running kit
When you turn up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to wear with pride on the big day, and often kit you out with a training top too.
Support on the day
When you're partway through your run and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Many charities set up a cheer station along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!
Post-race recovery
Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.
Exclusive social groups
You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high. You won't be alone in Portsmouth!
How to fundraise
Wondering whether to run for charity but unsure how to fundraise? Charities are experts in this topic and will provide the reassurance you need but here are some tips get you started:
Start fundraising early
Starting your fundraising early gives you the best chance of reaching – and even exceeding – your sponsorship goal.
Make it known
Keep talking about your fundraising target to your friends, family, colleagues, social media followers - everyone!
Have some fun
Seize the chance to make it your own: sell unwanted clothing online, hold an afternoon tea, host a ticketed dinner party, wash some cars, shave your beard; be inspired!
The Great South Run and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?
Amazing run through a historic city, great support from the enthusiastic spectators, great finish line.
An awesome event with such history - amazing to see people who have run every single year still doing the full 10-miles! The course is fantastic.
The course scenery, location and atmosphere are spectacular. If travelling to the event I would recommend having a long weekend.
I love this event. It is one of my annual races now. The route is flat with a nice sea view at the start and end of the course.
I have done the Great South Run three times. I love this race and would recommend it. My children have also done the junior race. Lovely run, lovely views.
It was amazing to be part of an event with so many others raising money for charity. The setting and atmosphere is always great!
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck
- Age 16 & over
- 25000 places
- Entries closed
- to 16/10/2025
- Charity places
- Enter online
- Event merch available
- Race pack by post
Following the cancellation of the 2024 event due to adverse weather, there are only a limited number of places available for the 2025 AJ Bell Great South Run.
