Max’s Story: AJ Bell Great South Run 2025

Max Ross, his family, friends from Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association, and Max’s fellow teammates from Hants Special Olympics are taking part in the AJ Bell Great South Run weekend in October to raise awareness and funds for the amazing Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association (Portsmouth DSA).

2025 marks 35 incredible years of the world-famous Great South Run, with the 10-mile event officially sold out, and plans underway to mark the biggest staging of the Great South Run weekend yet.

The milestone event, taking place on Sunday 19 October will welcome a record-breaking number of participants, coming together to mark 35 years of unforgettable running moments on the South Coast, and this year is set to be even sweeter as the majority of 2024 participants rolled their entry over after the 2024 event couldn’t go ahead due to adverse weather conditions.

Entries are also selling fast for the Junior, Mini, and South 5k events across the weekend.

Photo caption: Max at age 6 (R) with friends, and Max in 2024.

Max has shared his running story with us below, why he gets involved with the Great South Run, and why he’s passionate about giving back to the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association:

“I’m Max Ross. I’m 20 years old and have Down syndrome, and I’m part of the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association. I live locally and love running!”

“I’ve taken part in the Great South Run every year for the past 15 years. I started with the mini run, moved on to the junior events, and now I run the 5k every year. I’m even thinking about tackling the 10-mile race this year, maybe this is the year I go for it!”

“Running has become a big family tradition. For 15 years, my mum, dad, two brothers, their girlfriends, my cousins, and lots of friends all join in when I ask them. One year, my brother even brought along 35 of his student friends to run the 5k with us!”

“Together, we’ve encouraged hundreds of people to take part and raised thousands of pounds for Portsmouth DSA. One of my proudest moments was when my dad and I raised £12,000 in sponsorship in just one run.”

“I love the AJ Bell Great South Run weekend as it’s a way to bring people together, raise awareness, celebrate diversity and make a difference.”

Why have you chosen to take part in the AJ Bell Great South Run?

“I’m taking part to raise awareness and funds for the amazing Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association (PDSA). They’ve supported me and my family every step of the way, from pre-school right through to college.”

“Thanks to PDSA, I was fully included in mainstream education, achieved meaningful qualifications including GCSEs in maths and English, and I’m doing really well at college now. They’ve helped me build confidence, aim high, and reach my goals.”

“PDSA also puts on brilliant social events, where I’ve made friends for life. The charity is mostly run by parent volunteers, and I wanted to give something back to say thank you for everything they’ve done for me and so many others.”

“Portsmouth DSA has the best cheer stations all weekend long, with around 600 runners and supporters coming together to create an incredible atmosphere. We all wear our green charity vests with pride, it’s how we spot and support each other along the course.”

“Every time I run past a Portsmouth DSA cheer station, I get a huge boost from the cheers and encouragement. It keeps me going and makes the whole event even more fun. We all cheer each other on, and our supporters are amazing, they cheer for everyone, not just Team DSA!”

“I run the 5k on Saturday, then spend Sunday cheering on the 10-mile runners from the PDSA cheer stations. I’m proud to be part of the Portsmouth DSA and the #GreenArmy! Everyone volunteers their time, and it’s great to see volunteers coming to work together from across the community.”

Photo caption: Max completing the Great South 5K

Are you a part of a running group or anything that helps you with your training, if so which one?

“Yes, I’m a proud member of the Hants Special Olympics Team, and each year I invite my friends from Special Olympics to join me in the 5k.

“This year, 20 people from the team are taking part. They absolutely love running, and the moment the race ends, they’re already asking if they can do it again next year! We couldn’t take part without support from the Great Run team who make this possible and also the volunteers from Hants Special Olympics and Portsmouth DSA. People love it so much they run and volunteer year after year!”

“I’m also a Down syndrome advocate for Portsmouth DSA and the National Down Syndrome Policy Group. As part of my role, I work in Westminster to help educate MPs about Down Syndrome.”

“One of the reasons we run is to raise awareness about Down syndrome and the amazing work our charity does. We want to show the world that with the right support, people with Down syndrome can achieve incredible things. We can run; we can earn medals!”

“There’s no better way to do that than by seeing people with Down syndrome of all ages out on the AJ Bell Great South Run weekend, achieving their goals and smashing barriers. It’s proof that with inclusion and opportunity, we can do it!”

“A couple of years ago, I was honoured when the Queen thanked me for my advocacy work by choosing me to be a Baton Bearer for the Commonwealth Relay Run in Portsmouth, which made me really proud. I told the newspaper it was extra special because it’s the same place where the Great South Run happens every year!”

How many times have you taken part?

“I love running and have taken part every year since I was about 5 years old progressing through the runs as I get older and better. I am part of the cheer teams on Sunday too, and I love cheering runners on and making them laugh. Portsmouth DSA say they get lots of emails from the public after the run telling them how great their cheer teams are!”

“The best thing about the GSR is that it is inclusive, and I tell people to run or walk because they will enjoy it and they can do it! Some of our younger runners with Down syndrome are aged 3 upwards! Anyone can take part, and I’m proud of some of my friends who complete the run with their walking frames and sticks.”

“The run is also a symbol of community; our whole community comes together for this special event each year and there are so many volunteers all making a difference in their own way.”

Since its inaugural run in 1990, the Great South Run has grown to become one of the UK’s premier road races, attracting thousands of runners each year and has raised millions for charities. 2025 promises to be the most memorable yet, as tens of thousands take part in a truly special anniversary celebration.

Limited spaces are still available for the AJ Bell Great South 5k, and the Junior and Mini South Run. This year’s 10-mile is now sold out, sign up for priority access for 2026.