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Portsmouth 5k 2025

A woman wearing a pink t-shirt smiling and waving while running

Portsmouth 5k

Sunday 29 Jun 2025

£15.99 Aged 16 and over | £11.00 Children, under 6s free
Minimum fundraising target: £50

Date: Sunday 29 Jun 2025

Time: 11:00

Venue: Southsea Common

30% off entry in 2025 with code RFL25ISU

Life is worth Racing for. Enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and raise money for life-saving cancer research.

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About the 5k event

5k pink circle icon

The 5k is an achievable distance and a good first challenge for most people. At just over 3 miles it can take about an hour to walk on average, but there's no pressure to finish in a certain time. Go at your own pace to help fund life-saving cancer research.

Location

Venue
Southsea Common, Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth, PO5 3NT View map

Course information

Course description: The Portsmouth 5K Race For Life 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 and is a single lap.

Our courses are accurately measured with a measuring wheel, which may differ from GPS devices. Please follow the designated route closely to maintain the intended distance; cutting corners will affect your distance covered.

Join forces or go solo

Race for Life participants having fun at events
You can take part in any Race for Life event as an individual or a group to raise money for life-saving research. Walk, jog or run together in a group or go solo at your own pace, or lead the way as a Group Leader and get family, friends and colleagues involved! However you choose to get muddy, you’re helping to beat cancer.
 
 

Warm up with other Race for Lifers

Shake off any pre-Race nerves and get moving with our fun warm-up session just before your event.
 

Supporters and spectators welcome

Bring along as many supporters as you like to cheer you on! We’ve got things for everyone to do, check out the Location section above to see what’s happening on the day.
 

Soak up the atmosphere

After you've completed the course, stay on and celebrate with other participants, friends and family with a picnic in the park.

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.

Enter now

Event details

Once you sign up for your Race for Life event, you'll receive an email with all the need-to-know details to help you feel fully prepared for the day.

Meeting point

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. 

 

By car:

General Event Parking: Please use City Centre Car parks or Park and Ride service. To find your neariest car park please use https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/parking-roads-and-travel/parking/car-parks/

Blue Badge Parking: Blue Badge Parking can be found near the event site. To find your neariest car park please use https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/parking-roads-and-travel/parking/car-parks/

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.

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.

Electric Charging points: To find your nearest Electric Charging Point please follow https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/parking-roads-and-travel/travel/electric-charge-points/

Public transport and pedestrians:

Bus: There are lots of bus routes around Portsmouth that stop near Southsea Common and you can find more information by heading here https://myjourneyportsmouth.com/bus/operators-and-timetables-portsmouth/

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. 

Dogs allowed
Suitable for pushchairs
Wheelchair accessible
Toilets
No bag drop
Refreshments
No showers
No parking

Accessibility description: The route is mainly on flat tarmac roads and paths but there is a large section of the course on Southsea Common itself, the grass is cut and flat but may be harder to navigate in wet weather. This event is suitable for wheelchairs users and pushchairs with assistance.

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.

Additional Support request badges are available, and our Event Managers are trained Dementia Friends.

Bring a water bottle
We’re trying to reduce single-use plastic at Race for Life. Please bring your own reusable water bottle, already filled. We'll provide an ecofriendly water-refill station at the finish that uses as little single-use plastic as possible.

Have the right kit
It’s a good idea to check the weather before your event and dress accordingly. Think breathable sports gear (leggings and shorts are ideal) and well-fitting trainers. For Pretty Muddy, wear something you don’t mind getting dirty.
Check out the latest range of Race for Life clothing and accessories in our online shop.

Be sun smart
Stay sun safe by finding shade when you’re not on the course and covering up with clothes, a hat and sunglasses. On parts you can’t cover, use sunscreen with at least SPF15 and a 4 or 5 star rating. Find out more about being sun smart.

Your back sign and race number
Remember to bring your back sign and Race number which will be sent to you in the post – don’t forget safety pins so you can attach them to you.

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