Homepage news list | News and communications

News and communications

Portsmouth sees new ocean descend for the Bupa Great South Run

Last updated: 23 October 2012 13:50

The south coast of Portsmouth will welcome a new ocean next weekend, as a tidal wave of runners descend upon the seafront for the prestigious Bupa Great South Run.

More runners than ever before will be joining in on Saturday 27 October as the Bupa Great South Run 5k starts at 10.30am, with the Bupa Junior run at 12 noon, and the Mini Great South Run taking place at 1pm.

The Bupa Great South Run, the world’s leading 10 mile running event will be taking place from 10.15am on Sunday 28 October.

Between them the four events will see up to 30,000 runners descend onto Portsmouth, with the events broadcast live on Channel 5 on the Sunday from 10am-12pm.

The Bupa Great South Run – the world’s leading 10 mile race, has made Portsmouth its home for the past 21 years, and now attracts an average of 25,000 participants.

It is an International Association of Athletics Federation Gold Label status race (IAAF). Ranking alongside the Chicago and Frankfurt Marathons, it has
so much standing internationally that even city’s such Birmingham and Paris are only Bronze Label status. This gives significant credibility within the athletics world and all cities who participate are seeking a higher status each year.

Olympic medallists Tariku Bekele and Abel Kirui will continue to make Africa proud by joining in this year’s 10 mile run.

The runners from Etheopia and Kenya won the 10,000m bronze and marathon silver medals at this summer's London 2012 Olympic Games. They will be serious contenders continuing an almost continuous roll of victories by runners from their continent.

Kirui set a lifetime best of 46.40 in Portsmouth last year,will return to Portsmouth where last year, finishing runner up behind Leonard Komen.

Runner Alistair Cragg will be returning for the event. The Irish runner produced one of his best times in Portsmouth last year, with a personal best of 47:1.

There will also be a friendly British rivalry between the 2006 champion Jo Pavey, and Claire Hallissey who, after a stunning run in the Virgin London Marathon, was chosen to represent Team GB in the Olympics.

Entries are still open for the Bupa Great South Run 5k, which celebrated its first staging last year. Setting off at 10:30am, the flat and fast route is suitable for beginners or those working their way back to fitness, and participants will cross the same finish line that is used by 25,000 runners the 10 mile run on the Sunday.

After the Bupa Great South Run 5k, thousands of children aged between 3 and 15 will run 1.5k and 2.5k distances along the Portsmouth harbour.

This year younger ghouls and boys can dress up in their most spooktacular creations to win a treat in the Halloween fancy dress competition. Organisers will be giving runners with the best costumes the chance to win 1 of 10 family passes for Monster’s Week at the Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth.

Councillor Lee Hunt, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport said:

"With succesful Team GB Olympic and Paralympic athletes inspiring so many people this world-class weekend of Portsmouth racing is a chance to rub shoulders with them and get a flavour of what top-class events are like."

"As ever we continue to expand activity involving all ages and abilities making the events healthy family fun too - a great time for all."

Dates and Timetable:

Saturday 27 October 2012
Bupa Great South Run 5k – 10:30am
Bupa Mini Great South Run – from 12pm
Bupa Junior Great South Run – from 1pm

Sunday 28 October 2012
Bupa Great South Run - runners set off in waves from 10:15am

For information about road closures during the Great South Run, there is a full list available to download at the bottom of the page.

Date : 17 October 2012