Thousands Take On 10 Miles In Sunny Southsea
Thousands of people took to the streets of sunny Southsea today for the Morrisons Great South Run.
Elite athletes, charity fundraisers and fun runners completed the 10 mile course, officially set on their way by double Olympic champion sailor Iain Percy, who joined the runners after firing the starter's klaxon.
He ran for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, charity set up in memory of Andrew “Bart” Simpson.
Lifelong friends and sailing partners, Percy and Simpson won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and silver at London 2012, before Andrew tragically lost his life in an America's Cup training accident in May 2013.
He said: “Running the Great South Run was an amazing experience and I loved every minute. It felt like Bart was spurring me onto the finish (and the pub!)”
World 10,000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot won the women's elite race in 51:17, followed by Jo Pavey in 52:44 and Doris Changeiywo in 52:51.
The men's race saw Uganda's Moses Kipsiro win in 46:00. He was closely followed by the two Kenyan runners Emmanuel Kipsang in 46:08 and Emmanuel Bett in 46:11.
Famous faces included Iwan Thomas and voice coach Yvie Burnett.
Runners and spectators also experienced a surprise proposal on the finish line as Paul Buckland, from the Isle of Wight, asked Christie Richards, his girlfriend of three years to marry him.
After waiting for her to finish the 10 miles, he got down on one knee and popped the question on the finish line. Christie said yes and was carried through the finish by her new fiancé!
Entries are open for the 2016 event, which will take place on Sunday 23 October, with a special 25% early bird discount for the first 1,000 entries.
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