Thousands get set for the Great South Run

Portsmouth will play host to 20,000 runners as they take to the street for the Great South Run.

Now in its 29th year, the two day event will include four different races such as a run for dogs as well as the main 10-mile run.

Lizzy Yarnold, Britain’s most decorated Winter Olympian, will be the event’s honorary starter.

For the first time this year, Saturday’s events will also include the Simplyhealth Canine Run, the first of its kind in the Simplyhealth Great Run Series.

100 dogs and their humans will take on a 2.5km course, starting and finishing on Clarence Esplanade, with 1500m European champion and recently qualified vet Laura Muir setting them on their way.

Up to 1,000 runners will also line up to take on their own shorter distance at the Simplyhealth Great South 5k.

Joining them will be the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Lee Mason, who is taking on the 5k as part of his campaign to encourage the city to eat better, move more and help others.

Then thousands of children are also set to take part in the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great South Run, for kids aged between three to 15 years old.