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Places FeaturesYou are in: Hampshire > Places > Places Features > Great South Run 2008  Runners passing HMS Victory Great South Run 2008Thousands of fun-runners, celebrities, elite athletes and wheelchair racers have taken part in the annual Great South Run through the streets of Portsmouth. The Great South Run is now Britain's biggest 10 mile (16 kilometre) road race. This year's event saw a record 19,000 participants lining up on the wet and windswept start line on Southsea seafront.
Help playing audio/video  Paula Radcliffe leads the field The 10 mile route passed many of the historic landmarks in Portsmouth and Southsea including the Spinnaker Tower and HMS Victory - the fast, flat course attracts top athletes from around the world. Behind the elite athletes and wheelchair racers, thousands of club runners and charity fundraisers completed the course and raised millions of pounds for good causes in the process. This year's women's race was won by Paula Radcliffe - the 34-year-old finished in a national best time of 51 minutes, 11 seconds on a flat road race course. It was her first race since finishing in a disappointing 23rd place in the Olympic marathon in Beijing in August. In the men's race, Bernard Kipyego won in an unofficial time of 46 minutes 42 seconds.  Thousands raised money for charity The Kenyan crossed the line ahead of Ireland's Martin Fagan and his compatriot and defending champion Luke Kibet. Enthusiastic crowds lined the roadsides around Portsmouth and Southsea with live bands en route to help the runners keep up their rhythm. There was also a chance to celebrity-spot with stars from the world of television and sport also taking part in the event. Eastender's Nick Cotton - actor John Altman and Brighton and Hove Albion manager Micky Adams were among the celebrities on the start line. Meanwhile British and European 400m record holder, Ewan Thomas made it round in 1 hour 11 minutes "It's the first time I've run more that three miles. I'm quite shocked I did it that quickly as I tried to go steady, but I'm very happy with that!" Great Run founder Brendan Foster paid tribute to the spectators who turned out in miserable weather conditions: "The crowds on the course were fantastic. Portsmouth just responds to this event - its a wonderful event in a wonderful city. Harry Redknapp may have gone, but the Great South Run stays!" last updated: 28/10/2008 at 10:24 Have Your SayPost a message for someone who took part in this year's Great South Run. Roger Francis Smith family DD Emma Drew michelle hodkinson Pte Osborne amber way Tina Inwood Chris Banham Julie Jordan L Kehoe Minxie Pauline Porteous Nanny J Tina Trotter Ron Toghill Michael Farnham Ellie Knight Clare kinnear Anne Strong Helen Edwards Jude Russell Leah Davis Sarah & Brian Anna Green Angela Lovesey Lisa Hawthorne Tracy Smith Chris and Barbara Church Sandy Overy Sarah Kent Christina Howard James & Sarah nicola ellis Natalie Dixey Nanny and Grandad Ray & Vickie Glanville Kay and Michael Richardson Caroline & Chas JOHN HADFIELD Dolly Lyn and John Wannop Vanessa Leah Davies Helen and John (IoW Hunt Supporters Mum and Dad Valerie White Julie Munro COASTLINE HARMONY CHORUS Kimberley and Harry Davies lester phillips Mary Squire-Meanwell Mar Squire-Meanwell Rebecca Lisa Hawthorne Sally, Jodie and Tony Hope Tony & Mary Northeast Helen Newbery Julian Martin Verity Maylam Wardy Jan Pelling Diane Benford Ann Dyer Richard Thrush June Watson Daryl and Gareth Hilary Frost juliet clarke Open Hands Gambia (Reg.Charity 1105784) stacey lawrence Emma Drew Paige & Ashleigh Bone Mum and dad Michelle Seymour Jean Markey Fred & Eva Wrapson The Inlaws Gill Hardy Aimee Atkinson Ann & Roy Macklin Harry Atkinson Richard Gretton Lindsey and all at Airfield Ops LGW Sue and Mike at Stubbington Jenny and John Dawson Victoria Judd The Cherries Ryan Field Porter Family Sue and Mike YOUNG Rowstock Nissan Carol Knight Rodger Family Janet Ring Angie Brown Vanessa Storey Julian Hubble Surgical Unit, Royal Hampshire County Hospital charlie towler Hamill and McCann Families Sonia Cluitt Liz Carter Hamill and McCann families Amber coles john and mary crocker Dad and Cathy Nanny and Grandad Yellow Ribbon Foundation Vik & Dave Val RBL Carterton Pam Alexander Colin & Jean Marjoram Nina Harris Fran Skinner Yellow Ribbon Foundation Yellow Ribbon Foundation Mummy & Daddy The Yellow Ribbon Foundation ONS Geography colleagues Michelle Seymour SEE ALSOYou are in: Hampshire > Places > Places Features > Great South Run 2008 5 DAY FORECAST The latest forecast for your area from BBC Weather [an error occurred while processing this directive] |
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