AJ Bell Great South 5k
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Next year’s date is set for 17 October & entries are open.
Sign up now & SAVE with our 2026 EARLYBIRD Offer!
The AJ Bell Great South Run is back to kick off the AJ Bell Great South Run weekend on Saturday 17 October 2026. Expect beautiful views across the Solent, an incredible atmosphere, lovely fresh sea air and a fast & flat route – so if you’re aiming for a PB, this route will certainly give you a great shot at getting one.
Whether you’re running for fun, fundraising for a cause close to your heart, or chasing a new goal, this is your moment to shine. It’s also the perfect running event if you’re just starting out, or training for your first 5K event. You can be start-line ready in 12 weeks with our 5k training plan here.
Our 2026 Earlybird offer is available for a limited time, so sign up today and be part of the Great South Run weekend from the very start. See you on the start line.
AJ Bell Great South 5k participants must be aged 14+ on the event day. A booking fee (£3.00 per entry) is applied at checkout. If you have any queries about Great Run events, see our FAQ page. 2026 Super Earlybird offer ends at 10am on Monday 3 November.
What Makes it Great?
Bespoke Medal, Optional T-Shirt and Finishers' Pack
Access Exclusive Runner-Only Discounts via Our Rewards Platform
Free Training Plans and Support up to Event Day
Get 10% Off When You Refer A Friend
Run Past Some of the City’s Most Famous Landmarks and Scenic Sea Views
Music and Entertainment to Keep You Motivated
Run Number Personalised with your Name
Event Timetable
Please note: Provisional timetable is subject to change
Training Advice
View All Training Articles
Know what to expect – your Great South 5k route
The AJ Bell Great South 5k packs a lot of punch: nautical sights, historic landmarks, seaside cheer and supportive locals. It’s really no surprise that 99% of Great South Runners say they’d recommend the race to a friend. And with its fast, flat route, the Great South 5k is… Read More.
5 Top Portsmouth Running Routes
Whether you’re training for the Simplyhealth Great South Run or simply want to find somewhere new to run, we want to share with you some of the gems that the Portsmouth area has to offer. Read More.
Training for a 5k – a complete beginner’s guide
If you’re looking to run a marathon, half marathon or even a 10k, a quick online search will throw up an astonishing range of plans and training advice. But for 5ks, not so much. And yet many new runners set themselves the goal of running a 5k – otherwise known… Read More.
The Absolute Beginners Guide to Running
If you’ve been inspired to start running, we’re here to help the thought of running feel less daunting. Read More.
A Runner’s Guide to Portsmouth
With its flat, fast 10-mile route, incredible atmosphere and coastal views to die for, it’s easy to see why the Great South Run is one of our top runner-recommended events. Plus, there’s also the Great South 5K and Junior & Mini races – so whether you’re chasing… Read More.
The myths – and the truth – about the health benefits of running
There are a lot of running myths out there – from the ones we hear all the time (“running is bad for your joints!”) to the weird and wonderful (“running barefoot reduces injuries!”). We want to help clear up what the real health benefits of running are. So we thought… Read More.
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The Course
The 2025 course will start on Clarence Esplanade. From there, runners head towards Southsea Common, turning North through the common then along Serpentine Road before turning East to head along Lady’s mile. Exiting left onto Jack Cockerill way, runners will join South Parade before merging onto Eastney Esplanade until the U-turn point just before the Coffee Cup. Runners then head back along Eastney Esplanade dropping onto Clarence Esplanade for the finish straight.
Please note: Course is subject to change
What You Get
We have made the decision to introduce optional finisher tees to our Great Run events. You can choose to forgo a finisher tee shirt at the point of entry, and in lieu of this we will make a donation to the National Trust Woodlands Appeal. Find out more here. We will donate a portion of the fulfilment costs for each runner who chooses this option to the fund and commit that this donation to be approx. £20,000. To view our full Environmental Strategy, please click here.
Obviously you’ll have bragging rights for the forseeable, but you’ll also get:
