WATCH: Great South Run 2024 - excitement building on the eve of "biggest staging" of Portsmouth event in over a decade

The AJ Bell Great South Run 2024 is taking place in Portsmouth this weekend with over 25,000 runners taking part, making it the biggest edition of the event in a decade. Whether competing or spectating, there is lots to look forward to including a warm up with Viper (Quang Luong) and Phantom (Toby Olubi) of BBC’s Gladiators and a final run from Olympic hero, Chris Thompson.

It will be 43-year-old Thompson’s final ever professional race as he heads to retirement having been three-time Great South Run winner and a two-time Olympian. It is sure to be an emotional weekend for the long distance runner as it closes a two decade professional athletics career.

Thompson said: “It’s been an amazing journey, and I couldn’t think of a better place to close this chapter of my career.”

It is set to be a competitive field of elite runners this year with GSR 2021 champion Jack Rowe coming up against the 2022 champion Ben Connor, and last year’s second and third placed athletes Jacob Allen and Omar Ahmed. In the woman’s race, Lily Partridge will be looking to make it three GSR wins in a row but she will have to beat Verity Ockenden, Amelia Quirk and Amy-Eloise Neale to do so.

Kicking of the event on Saturday is the Great South Run 5k before the kids get their moment to shine in the 1200 Minis (ages 3-8) and Juniors (ages 9-15) in a ‘finding your superpower’ themed event. Many children will be dressed up as their favourite superheroes as friends and family cheer them on.

Saturday will also see the warm up by the Gladiator stars while Thompson will be using his years of experience to give coaching commentary to the kids.

Those taking part in the 10-mile run on Sunday will embark on a scenic route across Portsmouth and Southsea. Heart Radio hosts Matt Wilkinson and Rich Clarke will be providing the build-up entertainment and there will be some famous faces at the Clarence Esplanade start line to ring the bell.

Entertainment will not be confined to the start line though with charity cheering buses, bands and entertainment stations, live DJs and more positioned throughout the course to keep runners motivated. That is without mentioning the thousands of spectators who line the route creating an incredible atmosphere.

President of The Great Run Company, Sir Brendan Foster, said: “With elite athletes, weekend joggers, charity fundraisers, and young runners  all taking part, the AJ Bell Great South Run promises to be an unforgettable weekend of sport, community spirit, and charitable giving. 

It’s not only about pushing physical limits but also bringing people together for a common cause. Every year, millions are raised for hundreds of charities, which is something we’re incredibly proud of. The stage is set for this year’s runners, and I’d like to wish all of them the very best of luck!”

Watch the video embedded in this article for interviews with elite runners as well as inspiring and touching stories from those running for charity.