Gosport Half Marathon

The Gosport Half Marathon begins at King’s Academy Bay House Sports Centre on Browndown Road in Gosport, Hampshire, with the start line just 140 metres from race headquarters. It is a flat, fast half marathon held in November and hosted by Gosport Road Runners, starting at 10:00am and forming part of the Hampshire Road Race League. The field is limited to approximately 2,000 runners and has sold out, with entries typically divided evenly between club and non-club runners. The race follows a two-lap course featuring a section along the Lee-on-the-Solent promenade, offering coastal views towards the Isle of Wight. Five water stations are positioned along the route, and a Samba drum band performs at approximately four miles and 10.5 miles. The pace at the front is swift enough for the leading men to finish under 73 minutes and the leading women under 88 minutes, though the event also caters to a wide community field. Prior to the half marathon, children can participate in a 1km Fun Run for those under 12 or a 2km Challenge Race for those under 17. Gosport Road Runners do not compete in their own home event; instead, around 100 club marshals assist in organizing it, with over 200 supporters involved overall, including local youth groups. Any surplus profits are donated to local charities.