GREAT SOUTH RUN: How to get there, where to watch it and what else is going on

Portsmouth City Council has announced that more park and ride services will be put on to help runners and spectators get around the city. Park and Ride The service will run from Portsmouth International Port to the start line near Clarence Pier, Double decker buses will run every five minutes from 7am to 9am, and return buses will run between 12.15pm and 3.27pm. It costs £4 per vehicle - with up to eight passengers - and drivers need to pay on exit by cash or card. Park and ride smartcards will not be accepted on this service. The regular park and ride will still be in operation every 15 minutes for shoppers, runners and visitors travelling to the city centre and The Hard. Coach and Run Nirvana Travel are operating a transfer service to the start line in Southsea from £10. The company is running services from Southampton, Brighton, Bournemouth, Salisbury, Oxford, Reading and Kingston. A coach will pick up from Southampton Coach Station at 7.30am, returning from Duisburg Way in Southsea at 3pm. Grab a bargain Until Friday adidas Factory Outlet in Gunwharf Quays is offering 10 per cent for runners signed up to the Great South Run. The offer is only valid at the Portsmouth store and cannot be combined with other offers. Wonderbra Playtex in Gunwharf Quays is also offering buy one, get one half price on all shock absorber bras from Friday until Sunday. Compass Muscle Therapy in Marmion Road are is offering £5 off sports massages for runners, valid two weeks before and two weeks after the event. And if you’re feeling thirsty, there is a free drink for every runner at the Red Rose Lounge in London Road, Waterlooville, from October 16-30. On the day The Great South Run will be live on Channel 5 between 10am and 12pm - so if you record the coverage you can see if you can spot yourself later. For those whose pack has not arrived, fear not as the customer service point will be available from 7am adjacent to the skate park at the rear of the assembly pier on Clarence Esplanade. You can also download the Great Run app from iTunes or Google Play, to use for tracking runners, handy maps and as a handy guide to spectators. There will also be free wifi available to all runners and spectators at both the start and finish areas. Simply find ‘Great Run Free Wifi’ on your mobile and enter your email address. There are 30 charities with marquees in the Charity Village to meet and greet runners, with many providing food, drink and massage. Information for spectators A good vantage point for watching friends and family is along the Esplanade towards Clarence Pier. The course then goes past Gunwharf Quays so you can wave at the runners as they pass by. Miles five and six near the start and finish area also pass by Clarence Parade. The family reunion area is within the charity area on Castle Field- follow the signs and meet up under the A-Z banner that matches the first letter of the runner’s surname. A missing persons’ service will also be clearly signposted on Castle Field. Road closures There are road closures during this week and in Sunday while the event is taking place. For more information on the closures go to the Portsmouth City Council website.