Great South Run, 18th October 2026
To quote Lynne Cornell, this race has to be one of my favourites, Having friends in the area, we first came to run here in 2012 and this was the fifth time that we had returned. Although this was the biggest entry ever of 23,500 runners, it is smaller than the Northern version, and has a more relaxed feel. At 10 miles, it is shorter too! Having evangelised about the run, we had persuaded a running friend, Margaret, and daughter-in-law, Emma, to join us (it was the first time Margaret had gone beyond 10K).
The course itself is flat and is very spectator friendly – indeed, the first timers were very impressed by the enthusiasm displayed by the people of Pompey along the route, with Margaret saying that it was the best supported run she had ever done. It also has a lot of variety and interest to help take your mind off the actual running! Heading off through the old town of Portsmouth, we soon come to the Historic Dockyard past HMS Warrior, the Victory, Mary Rose (sadly indoors, so not visible) and other bits of naval history. Then, what would otherwise be a relatively boring bit through more modern Pompey, is enlivened by music, including bagpipes and one of the biggest drum-bands that I have ever seen! All of this and we had not reached half-way!
In fact at half-way, we are heading back to Southsea Common near to the start and finish areas, so the crowd thickens and the support gets louder. Passing a lake as we leave the common, the next leg is through a residential area – and the locals are having a party. No bands are needed here with various houses blasting out tunes, and one man giving a running commentary through his own impressive sound system.
The final stretch is along the sea front with lovely views across The Solent to the Isle of Wight. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel too bad and kept up a reasonable pace to cross the line faster than I had dared hope for (seven minutes slower than my last run here, but, hey, it is all relative!). I found our son (well, he found me) and we went to find a good spot to watch the others – as they had started at least 45 minutes after me, the tracker showed that Gill and Margaret were just approaching the 5 mile point, so we knew where to go. Emma and her friend had started even later, so we manged to give them a shout before heading near to the finish line to see them come in (I did say that it is spectator friendly).
All of us were happy with our times, and had a really good day out in the deep south, helped by some very good weather. I think we will be back some day!
| Position | Runner | Time |
| 1921 | Ton Tinsley | 1:15:32 |
| 11250 | Gill MIlne | 1:43:57 |
