Sporting Legends Announced as Official Starters of 2025 Great South Run

Women’s Rugby World Cup Winner Jess Breach to be joined by Pompey icon Alan Knight and Dame Kelly Holmes to start the world’s greatest 10 mile event this Sunday.

Sporting legends new and old will come together on the starting line of this weekend’s AJ Bell Great South Run.

Hot off the success of the Red Roses in the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Chichester born Jess Breach will be joined on the starters podium by Portsmouth FC Legend Alan Knight, to ring the bell to start the elite male athlete race before sending over 23,000 runners on their way to running greatness. Running royalty Dame Kelly Holmes will start the elite female athlete race to kick off the morning before joining the masses to take on the 10 mile route herself.

Jess, who began her rugby career from a young age at Chichester Rugby Cup, was one of England’s top performers in the recent World Cup, scoring a a hat-trick in the Red Roses’ record 92–3 win over Samoa and earning her 50th international cap during the pool-stage victory against Australia. Her starting position in every match of the tournament, including the final, reflected her importance to England’s game as one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport.

Simply called “The Legend” by Portsmouth fans, Alan Knight spent 22 years of his playing career at Portsmouth FC, holding the record for most appearance made by a goalkeeper for a single club, with 683 league games for Pompey between 1978 and 2000.  Late last year Alan revealed he had been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, now using his public profile to raise awareness of the disease.

Dame Kelly Holmes is one of the most recognised faces in middle distance running following her illustrious career which included a historic double victory at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the 800m and 1500m events. Since retirement her love of running has not waned, regularly competing in high profile events include last month’s Great North Run whilst being a huge advocate for the many health benefits of running.

CEO of the Great Run Company Paul Foster said, “The South coast has a rich sporting history and we are honored that the Great South Run is part of this. The event has seen some incredible performances by British athletes, including wins by Liz and Eilish McColgan, Paula Radcliffe and Sir Mo Farah. We’re delighted to have Jess, Alan and Dame Kelly as our official race starters this year, joining previous South coast sporting legends including Dame Ellen MacArthur and Lizzie Yarnold. It’s a brilliant opportunity for all of our runners to be inspired by them as they set off on their 10 mile challenge!”

Since its inaugural event in 1990, the Great South Run has built an incredible legacy. With countless incredible moments and achievements across 35 years of running on the South Coast, tens of millions of pounds raised for charity, and British and European records broken along the route, the event has cemented its position as a firm favourite in the running calendar.

Runners will pass some of Portsmouth’s most iconic landmarks, enjoy picturesque views of the Isle of Wight and experience the incredible local support along the route, before crossing the finish line close to Southsea Castle for their well-earned medal and lively post-race celebrations.

Sunday’s Great South Run will be the culmination of a weekend of running greatness with Saturday featuring the Great South 5K and Junior & Mini Great South Run.

For more information on this year’s event, click here.