Ockenden returns to defend UK Athletics 10-mile Championship crown

The AJ Bell Great South Run returns on Sunday 18 October, including the UK Athletics 10-Mile Championships where Verity Ockenden leading the charge in the women’s elite race to defend her title.

Ockenden of Swansea Harriers AC finished ahead of the pack to take the crown at the Great South Run 2025 in 00:56:37, after finishing both 2^nd and 3^rd in previous years. She has enjoyed domestic road running success this season, most notably a British silver medal in the UKA 10K Road Championships at the AJ Bell Great Manchester Run 2026 where she finished 4^th overall.

With her sights set on retaining her UK Athletics 10-Mile Championships title, Ockenden faces stiff competition from debutant Izzy Fry. Representing Newbury AC, Fry took the British national 10,000 metres title in Loughborough in May before going onto compete in this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

“The Great South Run has always been special for me as a race that ties together family history in Portsmouth, my coach Chris Thompson’s legacy here, as well as marking a lot of turning points in my own career over the years. It’s a real honour to be able to return to defend my title from last year and I’ll be bringing my best effort in order to retain that!” said Verity.

The elite men’s race will see some of the best British runners compete for victory with Andy Butchart making his Great South Run debut. The two time Olympian has had a successful comeback season after injury securing silver in the 5000m at the Novuna UK Athletics Championships, whilst cementing his status as the second-fastest Scottish half-marathoner in history by clocking a PB time of 61:45 at the Barcelona Half.

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.

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 P100 keepsake medal and lively post race celebrations.

For more information on this year’s event visit https://www.greatrun.org/events/great-south-run/.