Great South Run 2025: Date, Route, Results & Registration Guide

Few race days feel as electric as the one where 20,000 runners pour onto the seafront at Southsea. The Great South Run has been a fixture on the UK calendar for decades, and in 2025 it returns with the same flat, fast route that makes it a favourite for everyone from first-time 10-milers to elites chasing a personal best. Expect road closures, charity waves, and a finish line at Southsea Castle as the AJ Bell Great South Run writes another chapter in its record-breaking history.

Event date 2025: 19 October 2025 (Sunday, 10‑mile main event); 18 October 2025 (Saturday, 5k) ·
Location: Southsea, Portsmouth, England ·
Distance: 10 miles (16.1 km) main event; 5 km (3.1 mi) secondary ·
Typical participants: Over 20,000 runners (2024 record) ·
Fastest known time: Around 45 minutes (elite men); course record ~45:36 ·
Charity partners: GOSH Charity, DRWF, others

Seven key details across the event weekend, one pattern: consistency. The 2025 edition mirrors previous years in distance, start location, and age restrictions — but runner numbers and weather are the variables that shape race day.

Who won the Great South Run in 2025?

Official 2025 winners announced

• The 10‑mile race takes place on Sunday 19 October 2025; the winner will be crowned shortly after the finish at Southsea Castle (Great Run event page).
• In previous years, winners have included elite Kenyan and British athletes, often posting times around 45–46 minutes for the men’s race.
• Prize money is typically awarded to the top 10 finishers, with amounts varying by gender and event.

Prize purse and elite field details

• The Great Run organisation has not yet published the 2025 prize breakdown. Historically, the first-place prize for the 10‑mile has been several thousand pounds.
• Elite fields are assembled through invitation and qualification times; check the official website for the start list once released.

The implication: last year’s record participation of over 20,000 runners suggests a competitive field, but until October the winner is pure speculation.

What is the Great South Run route for 2025?

Start and finish location

• The race starts on the north end of Avenue de Caen and finishes at Southsea Castle (Great Run).
• Runners begin on Clarence Esplanade with Clarence Pier ahead (Great Run training guide).

Key landmarks on the coastal course

• Early miles pass Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth Harbour, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, and HM Naval Base (Great Run route guide).
• The middle section includes about four miles of loops through residential and built-up areas (Great Run route guide).
• Return to Southsea passes the D‑Day Memorial and Canoe Lake, then past the 8‑mile marker onto East Esplanade (Great Run route guide).

Elevation profile and difficulty

• The official route is described as “flat and fast”, making it one of the flatter 10‑mile courses in the UK.
• Exposed sections along the seafront can be windy, which adds resistance on the return leg.

The pattern: a flat start along the shore, a middle loop through Portsmouth’s urban grid, then a rewarding finish past landmarks back to Southsea Castle. For first‑timers, the mental shift from coastal views to residential streets is the real challenge.

How many runners will the Great South Run have in 2025?

• In 2024, the event welcomed over 20,000 participants, and 2025 is expected to match or exceed that number (Portsmouth City Council).
• The council notes that approximately 25,000 runners are welcomed over the entire weekend when the 5k, Junior, and Mini events are included (Portsmouth City Council).
• Registered capacity for the 10‑mile is around 20,000, limited by course width and safety regulations.

Why this matters: early registration is the only guarantee of a place. The event routinely sells out several weeks before race day.

Is the Great South Run on TV?

• Previous editions have been broadcast on BBC local television and online, as well as on Sky Sports.
• Live streaming is typically available on the official Great Run website and social channels.
• Highlights and full replays are often posted to YouTube within 24 hours of the finish.

The catch: broadcast partners for 2025 have not been formally announced. Keep an eye on the Great Run site for confirmation.

What was the fastest time for the Great South Run?

• The men’s course record stands at approximately 45:36, set by elite athletes on the flat course (Great Run historical data).
• The women’s course record is around 51:00, also from past winners (Great Run historical data).
• Fast times are largely attributed to the flat coastal route; the course is certified for record purposes.

What this means: if you’re chasing a PB, the Great South Run is one of the best platforms in the UK for a 10‑mile personal best.

Is the Great South Run hard?

Course difficulty analysis

• The flat profile makes it one of the most accessible 10‑mile events for beginners. Most recreational runners finish between 1:30 and 2:00.
• However, the exposed seafront sections can be challenging in strong winds, and the middle miles through residential streets require mental stamina.

Training recommendations for beginners

• Great Run advises incorporating hill and strength training into your plan, even though the course is flat, to build overall running resilience (Great Run training guide).
• Gradually increase weekly mileage to at least 15‑20 miles before race day.

The trade‑off between a flat route and exposed coastline means that while the elevation is forgiving, the weather isn’t. Train for resistance, not just distance.

What are the Great South Run 2025 dates and how do I register?

2025 event weekend schedule

• Saturday 18 October 2025: 5k, Junior, and Mini events (Portsmouth City Council).
• Sunday 19 October 2025: 10‑mile main event (Portsmouth City Council).
• Start time for the 10‑mile is approximately 10:00 am (waves may begin from 10:00 to 10:35).

Registration process and fees

• Registration is open now on greatrun.org (Great Run event page).
• A booking fee of £3.00 per entry is applied at checkout (Great Run event page).
• Participants must be aged 16+ on race day for the 10‑mile event (Great Run event page).

Charity entry options

• Charity places are available through partner organisations including Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation (Great Run event page).
• Fundraising packages often include a guaranteed entry even after the general entry cap is reached.

The pattern: register early, pay £3 booking fee, and meet the age requirement. Charity runners get extra perks and later deadlines.

For the first‑time 10‑mile runner, the Great South Run offers a forgiving course, but the wind and the crowd can make it feel harder than expected. Charity runners: your entry fee goes further when you sign up early through GOSH or DRWF. The choice is clear: register before the cap hits, train for wind resistance, and enjoy a finish at Southsea Castle with 20,000 fellow runners — or wait a full year for the next wave.