The Great South Run is an iconic 10-mile running event that takes place annually in Portsmouth, UK, offering participants a fast, flat course along the scenic South Coast. Celebrated for its friendly atmosphere and stunning views, the race attracts runners of all abilities, from elite athletes to beginners, and is perfect for anyone looking to challenge themselves while raising money for important causes. The Great South Run attracts over 20,000 participants annually, making it one of the most popular 10-mile running events in the world. The race takes runners through scenic landmarks such as the Spinnaker Tower, HMS Victory, and Southsea's seafront. Since its inception in 1990, the event has grown significantly, with both elite athletes and everyday runners competing to raise money for charity. Notable runners include Mo Farah, who won the race in 2009, as well as Paula Radcliffe and Jo Pavey, both of whom have been previous champions. The event also hosts a variety of participants, from celebrities to inspiring figures like Claire Lomas, a paralysed fundraiser who walked the 10 miles in a bionic suit. As part of the renowned Great Run series, the event includes 5k, Junior, and Mini races, making it accessible for all ages. With thousands of participants and supporters, the Great South Run is not just a race—it’s a celebration of community spirit, fitness, and determination.
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00:00Alright, my name is Gerard Bedwarsen. I'm a demi-strider running club. Now this will
00:13be my 35th Great South Run, even the one that was cancelled, because the dockyard was closed
00:19I had to do it back to front, so I did 5 miles out, 5 miles back. Yeah, so in 2012, best
00:27time was 59.48 seconds, but that was in 2005. In 2012 I had bone cancer in my jaw, so the
00:37reason why I can't talk sometimes, I've got a chain in my face, or in my jaw, so I've
00:41got a new jaw. And I actually had my daughter's graduation around about the same time, but
00:47I cancelled the major operation to make sure that her graduation I could go to and Great
00:54South Run was done, so I managed to do that one, including the solo one that was cancelled.
01:00So we are running the Great South Run in memory of Sam, who's still on the run, he's 39 years old.
01:08So the charity we're running for, a charity that come in when you lose a child in the hospital,
01:14they take lots of lives. So it's not just one run in her memory, but also it's raising money
01:22for this wonderful charity that come in.
01:27My name's Philip Pollard. I'm 82 and a half years old. I belong to the Portsmouth Joggers
01:35Running Club, have been for 42 years. I've done all the Great South Runs and 23 Great
01:45North Runs. It's like a challenge. I've always run, I've always done something. I ran football.
01:51When I finished football, I started to run and I continue to run.
01:55My name's Jackie Clark. I'm the service lead for Portsmouth City Council Fostering Service.
02:01And we're here today because our service supports more than 230 fostering households who look
02:11after the children that are in care for Portsmouth. So we have got 25 members of our fostering
02:19service, including team members, foster carers and some of the children that we care for
02:25running on the Great South Run today. And it's all about celebrating the success of our fantastic
02:31foster carers and also promoting our recruitment because we've got a lot, but we absolutely
02:37need more foster carers to come forward. So this is all about promoting that.
02:42Having done it six times before without the chair, I was really disappointed when I couldn't
02:50do it. And that sparked a spiral of depression that I really struggled to cope with. So when
03:03I got the help to get this chair to be able to do some sport again, I had to do it. I
03:15had to come back and join in with things like park run and that sort of thing. I have an
03:21idea of trying to get just under the two hour mark is my plan for this run. After that,
03:31who knows, maybe next year.