Simplyhealth Great South Run celebrates a decade of domestic competition
2019 marks a double celebration for Simplyhealth Great South Run – the 30th staging of the world-leading 10-mile event and the 10th time it has been England Athletics’ 10-mile championships. With 20,000 runners toeing the start line this year, the televised event has grown to be the world’s biggest 10-mile event, and the fast and flat course starting and finishing in Southsea, Portsmouth has long been a celebration of the best domestic talent.
Sir Mo Farah and former marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe have both taken memorable victories on the South Coast in the event’s glittering history, which is the traditional end-of-season outing for many of the country’s elite road runners. Over the last decade, winners of the England Athletics 10-mile Championships have included Ross Millington, Andy Vernon, Scott Overall, Charlotte Purdue, Lily Partridge and Jo Pavey. Chris Thompson, who has won the last three Simplyhealth Great South Runs outright, holds the crown in the men's race, while women's champion, Gemma Steel, has taken the domestic crown on four occasions over the last decade. Both will be defending their titles this weekend (Sunday 20 October).
From 2019, Simplyhealth Great South Run became part of the Champions of the Road Series, which offers registered runners and affiliated clubs up and down the country the opportunity to compete as both individuals and teams in National Championship races. Each of the six races including this weekend’s event will be a stand-alone England Championship race with individual and team titles up for grabs at 5k, 5miles, 10k, 10 miles, Half-Marathon and Marathon.
Andy Graffin, from Great Run event organisers, said: 'We’re proud to work with England Athletics and for the Simplyhealth Great South Run to host the England Athletics 10-mile National Championships this weekend. We’re gearing up for this being a weekend of celebration, with it being the 30th staging and we look forward to welcoming the country’s best running talent on Sunday and for many years to come.'
Simplyhealth Great South Run will be televised live on Channel 5 on Sunday between 10am and 12pm. For more information on the event, visit greatrun.org/South.
England Athletics wish all runners the very best of luck.