Great South Run
Great South Run: Complete Training and Race Guide
Everything you need to run the UK's biggest 10-mile road race in Portsmouth, from getting a place to a week-by-week training plan and race-day pacing.
The short answer
- The Great South Run is a 10-mile road race in Portsmouth, on the south coast of England. It is one of the UK's biggest 10-mile events, with a flat, fast course around the city and along the Southsea seafront. The 2026 race is on Sunday 18 October. You enter through general entry on the official Great Run website while places last, or through a charity place.
- Ten miles is not a half marathon or a 10K. It sits between the two, so it rewards steady endurance without needing full half-marathon mileage.
- A sensible build is 10 to 12 weeks from a basic running base, mixing easy runs, one weekly session and a long run that grows towards 9 to 10 miles before a taper.
- For a plan that flexes around your life, Edge builds a fully personalised running, strength, HIIT and mobility plan, ready within a day, with a real coach to message anytime.
10 miles
The distance (16.09 km), flat and fast
18 Oct 2026
Race day, Portsmouth and Southsea
Since 1990
Part of the Great Run series
What is the Great South Run?
The Great South Run is a 10-mile road race held in Portsmouth, on the south coast of England. It is part of the Great Run series, the same family of events that includes the Great North Run, and it was first staged in 1990. Over the years it has grown into one of Europe's most popular mass-participation races over 10 miles, and it is often billed as the UK's biggest 10-mile event.
The distance is the thing to get right in your head. It is 10 miles, which is 16.09 km. That is not a half marathon and it is not a 10K. Ten miles sits comfortably between the two, so it asks for solid endurance and steady pacing, but it does not need the same mileage or the same long, slow build that a half marathon or marathon demands. For many runners that makes it an ideal step up from a 10K, or a fast, satisfying goal in its own right.
The 2026 event takes place on Sunday 18 October. Details such as dates, fees and field sizes change year to year, so the figures below are correct as of July 2026 and you should always confirm the current details on the official website before you enter.
| Key fact | Detail (as of July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Distance | 10 miles (16.09 km) |
| Location | Portsmouth, starting and finishing around Southsea Common and the seafront |
| Typical date | Mid-October (2026 race: Sunday 18 October) |
| Course | Flat, fast and fully paved, past city landmarks and along the sea front |
| Entry routes | General (open) entry on greatrun.org while places last, or a charity place |
| Minimum age | 16 or over on race day for the 10-mile event |
| Field size | One of the UK's biggest 10-mile races (a record 21,000 entries back in 2009) |
What is the route like?
The course is best known for being flat and fast. It runs on paved roads for the entire distance, starts and finishes around Southsea Common, and loops through the heart of Portsmouth before a long, scenic finish along the seafront. There are no big climbs to break your rhythm, which is why so many runners choose it as a place to chase a personal best over 10 miles.
The route also doubles as a tour of the city. Runners pass through Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, home to Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, and take in landmarks such as the Spinnaker Tower on the way round. The last couple of miles run along the Southsea sea front, with views out towards the Isle of Wight, which gives you a clear, open stretch to push for home. Sea-front running can mean a headwind on the day, so it is worth staying relaxed and tucking in behind other runners if the breeze picks up.
Because the course is flat, your pacing has nowhere to hide. On a hilly route the climbs and descents naturally vary your effort. On a flat course it is all on you to hold an even rhythm, which is a skill worth practising in training.
How do you get a place?
Entry is straightforward compared with ballot-only events. The main route is general entry, which opens on the official Great Run website and stays open while places last, so the earlier you commit the better. A booking fee is added at checkout on top of the entry fee, and both the entry fee and that booking fee can change from year to year, so check the current pricing on greatrun.org before you sign up.
The other main route is a charity place. A wide range of charities offer guaranteed entries in exchange for a registration fee and a commitment to raise a minimum amount for their cause. As an example, some charities have asked for a registration fee of around £25 and a minimum fundraising target of around £250, though the exact figures vary by charity and by year. If you would like your training to support a good cause, a charity place is a great option, and the charity will usually support you with fundraising ideas and a running vest.
One more practical point. The 10-mile event has a minimum age of 16 on race day. There are usually shorter associated events over the same weekend for younger runners, so a whole family can take part at the right distance. For the definitive, up-to-date rules, pricing and entry links, the official source is greatrun.org.
How should you train for a 10-mile race?
Assuming you already have a basic running base, meaning you can comfortably run for around 30 minutes, a build of 10 to 12 weeks is plenty to get ready for 10 miles. The core of any sensible plan is simple: mostly easy running to build endurance, one quality session a week to add a little speed and strength, and a weekly long run that gradually climbs towards race distance.
Keep your easy runs genuinely easy. They should feel conversational, at a pace where you could chat in full sentences. This is where most of your fitness is built, and running them too hard is the most common mistake. Your long run is the key session of the week: it teaches your body to keep going and builds the confidence that 10 miles is well within reach. Build it up steadily, include an easier week roughly every third or fourth week to let your body absorb the work, and never jump the distance up too sharply.
Strength and mobility work is widely recommended to support your training and help you stay consistent. A couple of short strength sessions a week, focused on the legs, hips and core, plus a little regular mobility, can help you feel stronger and more comfortable as the miles add up. Adjust everything to your own level, and if you have pain, an injury or a health condition, see a physio or GP before you push on. The plan below is an outline to adapt, not a rigid prescription.
| Week | Easy runs | Session | Long run | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 x 30 to 40 min easy | Add 4 to 6 short strides after one easy run | 4 miles | Settle into a routine |
| 2 | 2 x 30 to 40 min easy | 4 x 2 min steady, 90 sec jog | 5 miles | Build gentle volume |
| 3 | 2 x 35 to 45 min easy | 5 x 3 min at a strong effort, 2 min jog | 6 miles | Add a little intensity |
| 4 | 2 x 40 min easy | 20 min tempo (comfortably hard) | 5 miles (cutback) | Recover and absorb |
| 5 | 2 to 3 x 40 min easy | 6 x 3 min at 10-mile effort, 90 sec jog | 7 miles | Longer efforts |
| 6 | 2 to 3 x 40 min easy | 2 x 10 min tempo, 3 min jog between | 8 miles | Time on feet |
| 7 | 3 x 40 min easy | 8 x 2 min fast, 90 sec jog | 8 miles | Sharpen the legs |
| 8 | 2 x 35 min easy | Relaxed fartlek, keep it playful | 6 miles (easier week) | Back off and recover |
| 9 | 3 x 40 to 45 min easy | 3 x 10 min at goal effort, 3 min jog | 9 miles | Peak long run |
| 10 | 3 x 40 min easy | 25 to 30 min tempo at race effort | 9 to 10 miles | Race-effort practice |
| 11 | 2 x 30 to 35 min easy | 5 x 3 min at goal pace, 2 min jog | 6 miles | Start the taper |
| 12 | 2 x 20 to 30 min easy | Short strides 2 to 3 days before | Race day: 10 miles | Taper and race |
Train with Edge
A fully personalised plan across running, strength, HIIT and mobility, ready within a day. Message a real coach anytime.
How should you pace it?
On a flat, fast course the temptation is to go out hard while you feel fresh. Resist it. The runners who finish strong are almost always the ones who start a touch conservatively and hold a steady effort. A simple approach is to aim for even splits, running the first few miles a shade slower than goal pace, settling into your target through the middle, and saving a little for the final push along the seafront.
Break the 10 miles into three parts to keep your head in the game. Think of the first 3 miles as settling in, the middle 4 miles as the steady work, and the last 3 miles as where you gradually lift. That final third is where your long runs and tempo sessions pay off. If the sea breeze is against you on the closing stretch, keep your effort even rather than your pace, and let the finish come to you.
Practise your race pace in training so it feels familiar. The tempo runs and goal-effort blocks in the plan above are designed to do exactly that, so that on the day your target rhythm feels like an old friend rather than a guess.
What should you know on race day?
Plan the boring logistics in advance so nothing rattles you. Portsmouth gets busy on race morning, so give yourself plenty of time to travel in, find the start and drop any bags. Lay your kit out the night before, pin your number on, and stick to food and drink you have used in training rather than trying anything new.
Dress for the effort, not the standing around. October on the south coast can be mild or brisk, and you will warm up quickly once you are moving, so a light layer you can discard is often ideal. Start in the right pen for your expected pace, take the early miles calmly through the crowds, and use the water stations sensibly rather than drinking at every one out of habit.
Most of all, enjoy it. The Great South Run has a brilliant atmosphere, thousands of supporters line the route, and the city backdrop makes it a genuinely memorable day. Trust the training you have done, run your own race, and soak up that final stretch by the sea.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Great South Run?
The Great South Run is a 10-mile road race in Portsmouth, on the south coast of England. It is one of the UK's biggest 10-mile events, known for a flat, fast course around the city and along the Southsea seafront. The 2026 race is on Sunday 18 October. You enter through general entry on the official Great Run website while places last, or through a charity place.
How long is the Great South Run?
It is 10 miles, which is 16.09 km. It is not a half marathon and it is not a 10K. Ten miles sits between the two, so it rewards steady endurance without needing full half-marathon mileage.
Is the Great South Run good for beginners?
Yes, provided you already have a basic running base. The course is flat, fast and suitable for a wide range of abilities. If you can comfortably run for around 30 minutes, a steady 10 to 12 week build towards 10 miles is a realistic and enjoyable goal.
How much does it cost to enter?
A general entry fee applies and changes year to year, with a booking fee added at checkout. Charity places typically ask for a registration fee and a minimum fundraising pledge, for example around £25 plus a target of around £250 with some charities. For current pricing, check the official website at greatrun.org.
How long does it take to train for a 10-mile race?
From a basic running base, 10 to 12 weeks is a sensible build. That is enough time to grow your long run towards 9 to 10 miles, add a weekly session for a little speed, include an easier week to recover, and taper into race day feeling fresh.
Event details verified as of July 2026 and can change year to year. Always confirm the date, entry routes and fees on the official website before entering. This guide is general information, not medical advice. Adjust training to your own level, and see a physio or GP for pain, injury or a health condition.
