MORE than 20,500 runners will get ready, get set, and go in the Simplyhealth Great South Run this weekend.

The popular sold-out event is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in the running, which will take over the streets of Portsmouth for its ten mile run.

Each run starts and finishes on Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, and involves children, families and adults of all running abilities who will be testing their skills.

A weekend of sport will fill the South coast, with the Great South Run taking place on Sunday, following Simplyhealth Canine Run, the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great South Run and the Simplyhealth Great South 5k events on Saturday.

Amongst charities taking part will be Adopt South, who will be raising awareness of the need for adopters, with the support of Newquest employees and the Hampshire Football Association.

Athlete and winner of last year's run Eilish McColgan will also be joining the race and competing against Gemma Steel and Aly Dixon.

The runner is following in the footsteps of her mother Liz McColgan, who was crowned the two-time winner of the race in the 1990s.

Eilish said: "I'm excited to be racing back in Portsmouth for Simplyhealth Great South Run. It will be interesting to see what's in the legs after a long season on the track. Last year it was great to try out a new distance and even better to get the win.

“With the race marking its 30th year it would make it extra special to go out there and match my mum's record of winning twice - let's see what happens."

Catherine Foster, Brand and Marketing Director for The Great Run Company said: “It’s fantastic that so many people want to celebrate the 30th Great South Run with us, we’ve been overwhelmed by the popularity of the event over the years and even after 30 years it’s still a firm favourite, with the local community coming out in force to offer support.

“Anyone who missed out on a place in the ten mile run can still get in on the action of this great weekend of running, by running for one of our amazing charities who still have places left.

"If 10 miles is a bit too far, they can try the Simplyhealth Great South 5k and why not make a weekend of it and involve the whole family in the Simplyhealth Junior and Mini Great South Run and even having a run around Southsea with furry friends in the Simplyhealth Canine Run.”

For more information, visit Greatrun.org/South.