Adults
£22.49
Children
£12.00
Minimum fundraising target
£50.00
Date
Saturday 09 May 2026
Time
From: 11:00
Venue
Southsea Common
Life is worth Racing for. Enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and raise money for life-saving cancer research.
Get ready for an unforgettable day out as you climb, crawl and slide your way around the Pretty Muddy® 5k obstacle course! Sign up as a group with friends and family, or go solo and join hundreds of people on the day. There's no pressure to finish in a certain time, so take it your own pace, get muddy and enjoy the atmosphere. However you take part, you're helping to beat cancer.
The Portsmouth Pretty Muddy route is a flat route running around the beautiful Southsea Common, Castle Field and taking in views of Ladies Mile. The event starts and finished on the grass at Southsea Common.
Click here to see the Course Map. Please note, this is subject to change.
Once you sign up for your Pretty Muddy® event, you'll receive an email with all the need-to-know details to help you feel fully prepared for the day.
The start and finish is on Southsea Common on the adjacent field to Clarence Esplanade.
If using what3words, enter ///firm.edit.stem in the free app, to find the exact starting point.
Please listen out for your start time to gather in front of the stage for a gentle warm-up and course instructions.
By car:
General Event Parking: Please use City Centre Car parks or Park and Ride service. Find your nearest car park here.
Drop Offs: There are no allocated drop off points for the event but please be aware that Avenue de Caen will be closed as part of the route.
Blue Badge Parking: Blue Badge Parking can be found near the event site. Find your nearest car park here.
Volunteer Parking: There is lots of parking locally either along Clarence Parade or in The Esplanade Car Park PO5 3AD. Which is only a 10-minute walk to the volunteering marquee.
Electric Charging points: Find your nearest Electric Charging Point here.
Public transport and pedestrians:
Pedestrians: (TBC)
Bus: There are lots of bus routes around Portsmouth that stop near Southsea Common. Find further information here.
Train: If you're planning to use public transport, the closest train station to the venue is Portsmouth & Southsea.
Cycling & Bike Racks: Please note there are no local bike racks at Southsea Common.
Refreshments
Toilets
Dogs not allowed
Bag drop
Showers
Not suitable for pushchairs
Not wheelchair accessible
Parking
Due to the nature of the event it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
We aim for maximum accessibility at our events. Our contact centre and on-site team are ready to assist with any needs or questions you may have.
Sunflower wristbands are available at the enquiries marquee, and our Event Managers are trained Dementia Friends.
A QR code and a British Sign Language interpreter will be available on stage for those who use BSL.
Pretty Muddy® events start times are staggered in 'waves', each wave starts every 15 minutes to ensure you're safe on the course. If you're signed up as a group, please make sure you sign up for the same wave time.
Climb, crawl and slide your way around the course at your own pace. We want you to tackle every obstacle the best you can, but if you need to skip to the next one our marshals will be on hand to assist. Find out more about Pretty Muddy® obstacles.
To be part of the action, you must be 13 years of age or older at the time of your event. We've got something special for our young participants too - check out our Pretty Muddy® Kids events for kids aged 12 and under!
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please seek your doctor's advice before registering.
A fundraising pack with tips to help you reach your target
A customisable back sign
Training plans and support to help you prepare
Access to our Facebook community to help you get motivated
A Race for Life medal when you cross the finish line!
Get fundraising and training support, tips and resources to help you hit your target and prepare for your event.
Thanks to support from people like you, we've funded pioneering research to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. But our work isn't done yet. We want to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
The money you raise goes towards our research into more than 200 types of cancer. With you at the start line, just imagine how far we can go.
Your entry fee covers the cost of your event, but your fundraising helps us save and improve lives. Join the celebration, join the family, and join the thousands helping to raise the money we need to power Cancer Research UK’s biggest discoveries.
Get set for your Race for Life event with t-shirts, hats and accessories for everyone.
Join the incredible team of volunteers who make our Race for Life events possible.
Explore our other Race for Life events taking place across the country. Choose from a 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy® 5k or Pretty Muddy® Kids.