Hannah Irwin and Kadar Omar come out on top in the 2026 AJ Bell Great South Run

The 2026 winners of the AJ Bell Great South Run have been crowned.

And there’s two new names who can now call themselves victors around the famous 10-mile Portsmouth and Southsea course - Hannah Irwin and Kadar Omar.

Debutante Cambridge & Colebridge AC runner Irwin claimed victory in a fascinating elite women’s race, crossing the line in a time of 53mins 34 secs.

The 28-year-old broke free in the final 200 metres to see off the brave challenge of defending champion Verity Ockenden (Swansea & Harriers), who had to make do with the silver medal following her time of 53.37.

Framlingham Fryers’ Daisy Glover claimed bronze after clocking a time of 54.53.

The elite men’s race looked a two-man race for the majority of the contest, which also acts as the UK 10m Men’s Championship.

Omar and twice Olympian Andy Butchart broke free of the pack early on as they went through the 10k mark in 29.34.

However, it was Birchfield Harriers’ Omar who went through the gears in the final stages of the race as he opened up a 27-second lead after 15k.

And that deficit was improved upon over the final kilometre as the 30-year-old crossd the finish line in 47.27.

Butchart was second with a time of 47.49, with Sheffield AC & Dearn’s Alex Durant finishing third.

City of Portsmouth’s Lachlan Wellington came home in sixth place with a time of 50.27.

Speaking after her win, Irwin said: ‘It was a really good fun race today. I really enjoyed having a battle with Verity.

‘We were literally neck and neck the entire way, I think until like 200 to go.

‘The wind was coming from the other direction, so it was a back wind coming into the finish. But that was no easier because it meant the majority of the rest of the race was a headwind.

‘But it was just good fun to have a battle the whole way.

‘I kind of thought, I think she (Ockenden) is having a really good day today, so we're just going to have to work together.

‘ I was pleased that my legs held on and I managed to come away with the win.’

Celebrating his success, Omar said: ‘I pushed myself through the wind. And I gave it all I had.

‘I'm happy. It's a great event, you know. Hopefully next year I can come back and race again.’

For your next read: Check out our live coverage of the AJ Bell Great South Run