Great Run

Getting around the city

Please allow plenty of time to get to the starting area.

The roads coming into and leaving Portsmouth will be very busy, so take the time to look at a map and work out your route in advance if you are unfamiliar with the city.

To avoid the queues why not park in the city centre or at Gunwharf Quays and take the opportunity to spend a few hours enjoying what Portsmouth has got to offer?

Or to avoid race day traffic altogether, please consider using public transport.

When to arrive

Please note that the start time for the Bupa Great South Run is 10:40 and because of the need to start to the race on time we suggest that everyone travelling into the city gets there by 09:00.

Why not use public transport on race day

Avoid the traffic by making use of one of the stations on the line between London and Portsmouth. You can leave the car at home and use the train network or drive to one of the stations and catch the train into Portsmouth - the Portsmouth and Southsea, and the Portsmouth Harbour train stations are only 20 minutes walk from the start. Portsmouth Harbour train station is the stop for Gunwharf Quays shopping centre. For National Rail Enquiries call 08457 484950.

Incentevents London Shuttle Service

If you are coming to Portsmouth from the London area, you can now use our dedicated race transfer service direct from Central London, which offers a shuttle service from Victoria and Euston to and from the start/finish area of the run in Southsea. The cost is £25 per person return. For further details and bookings contact the Incentevents race transfer hotline on 01926 495 014, email them at info@incentevents.co.uk or visit www.incentevents.co.uk

Nirvana Europe park & ride service

For those runners looking to come into Portsmouth via the M275, why not leave the car and travel in by coach. Nirvana Europe Ltd offers a park & ride service from car parks at the end of the M275 into Portsmouth for £11.50 per person. Nirvana Europe also has a range of accommodation packages available - for details of these or the transfer service call 0191 293 6592 or visit www.nirvanaeurope.com

Local service buses

If you live in the Portsmouth area then please consider using the bus. For local bus travel information please call the travel line on 0871 200 2233.

Ferries

Another alternative is to catch the ferry across from Gosport to Portsmouth Harbour, only a 20-minute walk from the race start. Details of ferry times can be found at www.gosportferry.co.uk

Coach travel

If you are travelling to the event by private coach with your friends, charity or running club, ask your coach company to follow the coach parking signs on entering the city. Coach parking is available on the Common very close to the start and finish.

Coming by car

Runners should plan to arrive by 09:00 as traffic into Portsmouth is limited to two main routes: the M275 western entrance and the Eastern Road (A2030) – though traffic in and out of the city will be slow moving. Once in Portsmouth, you have the option of following the signs to either the City Centre or Southsea seafront car parking.

City centre parking : The city centre pay and display car parks are ideal for a quick getaway. There are a variety of well signed public car parks in the city centre, as well as at Gunwharf Quays and the Historic Dockyard, within 20 minutes walk of the start area.

Southsea Common parking : If parking at the seafront, follow the Bupa Great South Run yellow traffic signs to the temporary event parking on Southsea Common. Please note that there will be a charge of £3 to park on the Common this year. The parking areas on the Common closest to the start and finish are going to be very busy so you may want to think about parking in the city and walking in to the start.

Fratton football stadium parking : There will be available parking at the stadium which is within walking distance from the start/finish area. Please note that there will be a charge of £3 to park at the Stadium.

Car sharing

If you are coming by car then give some thought to car sharing. You can find out more about car sharing at www.liftshare.com - the liftshare matching service can put you in touch with other runners from all across the UK.

Road closures and late arrivals

The roads around the start and finish on Southsea Common will be closed from 07:00. This will affect Pier Road, Clarence Esplanade and Avenue de Caen. All other roads in use for the event across the city will close from 1010. If you arrive into the city after 10:00 on race day, please be aware that road closures required for the course will mean that you will not be able to get close to the seafront so use the city centre car parks and walk in.