Great South Run to be started by Olympian Iwan Thomas MBE with race schedule confirmed

An Olympic runner will be taking to the podium to officially start the Great South Run later this month with 26,000 runners set to rake part.

Iwan Thomas MBE will be sounding the horn to start the South Coast’s biggest running event in Portsmouth on Sunday, October 18. The Welsh runner represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games in 1996 and 2000 in the 400m and 4x400m respectively and is also a former European, Commonwealth Games and World 4 × 400 metres relay champion.

Now based on the South Coast, Iwan has become a regular at the event in Southsea but this will be the first time as an official starter of the 10 mile run.

Iwan said: “The crowds that line the streets of Portsmouth make this event, they create such an amazing atmosphere that it makes the effort feel less like a boring workout and more like a celebration. Plus I much prefer coastal routes. There’s nothing better than running in fresh sea air, rather than navigating heavy traffic, curbs, and tight turns of city running.”

After retiring from Athletics, Iwan has become a regular on TV featuring on programmes such as The One Show and Strictly Come Dancing. He is also a passionate advocate of the benefits of movement on mental health and uses his platform to highlight the camaraderie of mass events such as the Great South Run.

CEO of the Great Run Company Paul Foster said, “We’re delighted to have Iwan join us this year at the Great South Run as our official race starter. The event has cemented its position as a firm favourite in the running calendar, the fact the Iwan has returned several times to take on the 10 mile course is testament to that.

“Seeing him on the starters podium will no doubt provides inspiration to all our runners, in many ways, as they cross the starting line.”

With less than two weeks to go before the event, the schedule for the start times have been confirmed:

• 10.15am – Elite Women’s Race Start
• 10.19am – Wheelchair Athlete & Visually Impaired Runners Start
• 10.35am – Elite Men’s Race Start
• 10.35am– Fast pace & Orange wave Start
• 10.50am – Green wave Start
• 11.20am – Blue wave Start
• 11.20am – Pink wave Start
• 11.35am – Purple wave Start

The Great South Run will be using this year’s edition to join in the celebrations Portsmouth being granted city status a 100 years ago.