Looking back at 30 years of fancy dress that makes the Great South Run the Great South Fun

For three decades we’ve wondered what on earth will turn up next.From giant crabs to Frankenstein’s monster and, naturally, a Marvel of superheroes, Great South Run athletes and their fancy dress costumes have delighted Portsmouth crowds.
Dai White leads colleagues from HMS Sultan in a crab suit after they raised £2,000 in the 2005 Great South Run for the Gosport Cancer Support Centre. Apparently it was the only time he had led the field.Dai White leads colleagues from HMS Sultan in a crab suit after they raised £2,000 in the 2005 Great South Run for the Gosport Cancer Support Centre. Apparently it was the only time he had led the field.
Dai White leads colleagues from HMS Sultan in a crab suit after they raised £2,000 in the 2005 Great South Run for the Gosport Cancer Support Centre. Apparently it was the only time he had led the field.

As the clock ticks down to this weekend’s Simplyhealth Great South Run and its associated events, runners are finishing this year’s wacky costumes. And here is a selection of some of the best from past runs.

From humble beginnings in 1990 with 2,000 runners, to now more than 20,000, the event has grown into a weekend of sport with four events on Saturday and Sunday.

As well as the famous 10-mile run the weekend also includes the Simplyhealth Great South 5k, the Simplyhealth Canine Run and the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great South Run.

From left: Alison Smith, Sarah Langborne and Penny Langborne dressed as Lego men in the 2010 Great South Run. Picture: Sarah Standing (103427-903)From left: Alison Smith, Sarah Langborne and Penny Langborne dressed as Lego men in the 2010 Great South Run. Picture: Sarah Standing (103427-903)
From left: Alison Smith, Sarah Langborne and Penny Langborne dressed as Lego men in the 2010 Great South Run. Picture: Sarah Standing (103427-903)

The junior and mini events start and finish near the Blue Reef Aquarium and feature a themed fancy dress. For those running with their four-legged friend, the Simplyhealth Canine Run is on Saturday before the Simplyhealth Great South 5k and the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great South Run.

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