35 Years of Greatness at Great South Run: Southsea friends support residents with hearing loss

Three friends from Southsea are lacing up their running shoes on Sunday to take on 10 miles of iconic seafront at the AJ Bell Great South Run and shine a spotlight on a cause that’s close to their hearts.

Clare Parker, Kim Jones and Emma Gueterbock may all be “on the wrong side of 50,” as Emma puts it, but what they might lack in recent mileage, they more than make up for in passion, purpose, and determination.

None of them are new to running, the trio having all run the Great South Run before and Kim has also conquered several Great North Runs and London Marathons since her first GNR in 1983 while at university. However, this year’s challenge is about getting back to fitness for Emma and Clare whilst also raising crucial funds to support people with hearing loss with something many people take for granted: the ability to communicate.

“Clare and I teach free lipreading classes in Portsmouth and the surrounding area,” Emma explains. “These groups are a lifeline for people with hearing loss, combating social isolation and rebuilding people’s confidence through new coping strategies and a strong and supportive community. Unfortunately lipreading lessons are no longer funded by the government. Lipreading is now classified as a language, not the fully funded essential life skill it once was.”

Claire leading a class, Kim and Emma.

That reclassification has left teachers like Emma and Clare to fundraise every year to keep their groups going and that’s where the Great South Run comes in.

“We want to keep our groups running July 2026 and beyond,” says Emma. “But we also want to get people talking. Hearing loss affects millions of people in the UK, and yet most of us don’t know the “Dos and Don’ts” when speaking to someone who’s hard of hearing. Our hope is that by running, we’ll raise both funds and awareness.”

Unfortunately, Emma broke her ankle in September so she’s now out of the running but good friend Kim has been talked into stepping into her shoes. “I am looking forward to race day’” says Kim, “and proud to run in support of Emma and Lipreading Life.”

Emma has great memories of the Great South Run since moving to Southsea in 2010. She’s run the event in the past sometimes alongside her husband Andrew and even her son Angus, who once took part in full American football gear. “I think I had the best fun though when I volunteered as a race marshal a few years ago. There’s such a buzz to the Great South Run,” she says.

“You see every kind of runner. Young, old, fast, slow, experienced, nervous, all out there for a reason. It’s incredibly inspiring.”
Training for Clare and Kim has been steady throughout the summer, though they admit it’s a bit of a mountain to climb. They’ll be leaning on the crowd for support to get them through those last few miles as they chase some respectable times.

With bold new T-shirts and plans for some eye-catching race-day photos, Clare and Kim will be hard to miss on the start line and their message is one we all need to see.

The ladies’ advice for first-time runners?

“Everyone has a different goal,” says Emma. “What’s yours? Go get it… and don’t forget to smile!”

Kim believes everyone has a runner in them. “Keep going,” she says. “Believe you can do it. One step at a time. Just keep going!”

“Pace yourself and enjoy it,” says Clare. “The supporters and atmosphere are amazing!”

As they prepare to take on 10 miles through Portsmouth’s historic streets, Clare and Kim are proof that running can be more than just a personal challenge, it can be a platform to build community, start conversations, and change lives.