As the clock ticks down to this year’s AJ Bell Great South Run on Sunday 19 October, the line up for the UK Athletics 10-Mile Championships is unveiled with the very best British runners set to compete for victory in the elite men’s and women’s races.
The elite men’s race will be a battle of returning Great South Run champions with the starting line up featuring 2021 winner Jack Rowe and 2019 Champion Marc Scott. Joining them will be Jake Smith who was the 2nd fastest British finisher at last month’s Great North Run, and Portsmouth based runner Lachlan Wellington who makes his Great South Run debut.
“I feel in a good place to try and regain my title from 2021. Coming off the back of a victory at the Big Half last month, my training has gone well and I’m looking forward to testing myself against the best of British in Southsea”. Said Jack Rowe.
Verity Ockenden leads the British women’s charge. With a PB at this distance of 54:07, Ockenden returns to the Great South Run and with her sights set on securing a win after finishing both 2nd and 3rd in previous years. She faces competition from Holly Archer and Mary Mulhare, both of whom have recorded PB’s at this distance of 55.32 and 55.48 respectively.
Ockenden said: “I’ve always enjoyed competing at the Great South Run, I’ve finished both second and third here in the past so I’m looking forward to completing my podium places. The added incentive of the 10mile UK Championships also makes me hungry to get that win.”
Paul Foster, Chief Executive, The Great Run Company, said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the UKA 10-Mile Championships at this year’s AJ Bell Great South Run. During the last 35 years the Great South Run has built an incredible legacy. With countless incredible moments and achievements, and British and European records broken along the route, the event has cemented its position as a firm favourite in the running calendar. The 2025 line up looks incredibly strong so it will be exciting to see what happens this year.”
The Great South Run has a rich history of incredible performances by British elite athletes, including Liz McColgan who won in 1995 and 1997, and Eilish McColgan whose third win of Great South Run in 2021 set her 10-mile PB of 50:43, marking the women’s course record, and European best for 10-miles. Other previous winners include International and British running royalty Sonia O’Sullivan, Paula Radcliffe and Sir Mo Farah.
The full list of elite athletes competing
Verity Ockenden, Swansea
Holly Archer, Cambridge & Coleridge
Mary Mulhare (Ireland), Portlaoise AC
Kate Estlea-Morris, Aldershot, Farnham & District
Rebecca Murray, Bedford & County AC
Cassie Thorpe, City of Portsmouth AC
Beth Kidger, Brighton Phoenix
Rebecca Weston, Invicta East Kent
Helen Gaunt, Tonbridge AC
Jessica Craig, North Down AC
Hannah Pullen, Aldershot, Farnham & District
Rachel Laurie, Chichester
Deborah Bruce, Bristol & West
Erin Willmers, Winchester Running Club
Lauren Hall, Aldershot, Farnham & District
Kate Natkiel, Brighton Phoenix
Sasha Stannah, Clapham Chasers
Nia Griffin, Start2Jog Running Club
Imogen Matthews, HY Athletic Club
Ruby Orchard, Cornwall AC
Marc Scott, Richmond & Zetland
Jack Rowe, Aldershot, Farnham & District
Callum Hawkins, Kilbarchan
Jake Smith, Pontypridd Roadents
Ben Bradley, Aldershot, Farnham & District
Charlie Brisley, Newham & Essex Beagles AC
Seyfu Jamaa, London Heathside
Jack Woods, Worthing
Lachlan Wellington, City of Portsmouth
Bob Sporle, City of Southend AC
Nicolas Barry, Sale Harriers Manchester
Oluwatosin Adedeji (Nigeria), Newham & Essex Beagles AC
Joe Blacknell, Aldershot, Farnham & District
John Beattie, Leeds City
Blake Moore, Bracknall AC
Abdinasir Elmi, Bournmouth AC
George Beardmore, Salford Harriers
Ronnie Richmond, Bideford AAC
David Bishop, Derby
Jacob O’Hara, Southampton AC
Andrew Arnett, Mourne Runners
Richard Lovejoy, Aldershot Farnham & District
Kurt Taylor, Bristol & West
Jaymee Domoney, City of Salisbury
Ollie Garrod, Belgrave
Aiden Lennan, Southampton AC
Peter Costley, Southampton AC
Callum Charleston, Aldershot, Farnham & District
Kader Seyed, London Heathside
The timetable for the AJ Bell Great South Run on Sunday 19 October
10:15 – Elite Women’s Race Start
10:19 – Wheelchair Athlete & Visually Impaired Runners Start
10:35 – Elite Men’s Race Start
10:35 – Fast pace & Orange wave Start
10:50 – Green wave Start
11:20 – Pink wave Start
The 2025 Great South Run will be the 35th edition of this great event, returning for an amazing weekend celebration of running across the 18th & 19th October. Over 25,000 runners of all ages are expected to take part across the weekend, cheered on as always by the unbeatable Pompey supporters who line the course in their thousands.
Starting and finishing along the beautiful South Coast, runners will pass some of Portsmouth’s most iconic landmarks, enjoy picturesque views of the Isle of Wight and experience the incredible local support and rocking on-course music zones along the route, before crossing the finish line close to Southsea Castle for their well earned 35th Anniversary medal and lively post race celebrations.
