Lace up your running shoes and get ready to join the ultimate community fitness celebration! On Sunday 12 July 2026, the highly anticipated 3rd Edition Decathlon Southampton #RunDays officially gets underway. Catering beautifully to runners of all abilities—from absolute beginners and intermediate joggers to advanced local club athletes—this exhilarating, mass-participation 5K event takes over the scenic trails of Southampton Common (Meeting location: SO15 7NN). Welcoming participants from 5 years old and up, the main race starts promptly at 10:00 AM BST, providing a fantastic morning of active family fun, charity support, and community spirit.
Decathlon Race Day Timetable and Schedule
The event schedule is strictly timed to manage the safety of up to 500 participants across the course loop. Please arrive with plenty of time to check in and register:
- 08:30 AM: Registration Point Opens — The event village desk at Southampton Common officially opens. Runners can collect their numbers, submit liability forms, and drop off shoe donations.
- 09:30 AM: Registration Desk Closes — Final check-in strictly shuts down 30 minutes prior to race start. Late arrivals will not be permitted onto the track layout.
- 09:40 AM: Official Guided Warm-up — Professional coaches lead an active group dynamic warm-up at the start line to prepare runners of all skill levels.
- 10:00 AM: The #RunDays 5K Race Starts — The starter horn blows! Runners, families, and young joggers set off on the designated 5K route across the Common.
- 11:00 AM: Post-Race Fun & In-Store Activities — Medals and finisher packs are presented. Interactive family games and community activation segments commence at both the race village and the local retail store.
- 12:00 PM: Event Village Wrap-Up — The official 2-hour event session concludes.
Tickets & Entry Packages
Entries are strictly managed online via the booking portal, with remaining allocations shown live on the dashboard. Cash or card entry is not available at the park on the morning of the event:
- Standard Adult Ticket (Ages 16+): £10.00 — Includes an official finisher medal, breathable Kiprun performance running t-shirt, race day nutrition items, and a £5 Decathlon voucher (valid for use in-store one week before and on race day).
- Charity Ticket Package (Ages 16+): £15.00 — Includes all standard adult race perks detailed above, with £5 from each ticket paid directly to Sense (registered charity number 289868) to support disabled people with complex needs.
- Child Entry (Under 16s): FREE — Children run completely free of charge. You do not need to book a separate space online; up to 3 children can join per single paying adult. Parents simply sign a standard liability waiver form at the registration desk on race day. Kids still receive a medal, a Kiprun t-shirt, and nutrition packs.
Race Pack Collection & Logistics
- Pre-Race Pick-up (Recommended): To avoid massive queues on Sunday morning, you can collect your race numbers and Kiprun t-shirts early from the **Decathlon Southampton Store (24 Harbour Parade, Southampton, SO15 1BA)** from Monday 6th July up until the day before the race. Remember to bring your Booking Confirmation email.
- On-the-Day Pick-up: Pack collection is available at the common registration tent from 08:30 AM, but it shuts down promptly at 09:30 AM.
- JogOn Sustainability Drive: Decathlon has teamed up with JogOn to keep running gear out of landfills. Bring your old, unwanted, or worn-out running shoes to the dedicated collection bins inside the event village so they can be recycled or redistributed responsibly.
Southampton Common is surrounded by main arterial avenues. While the park pathways are completely vehicle-free, standard weekend traffic applies:
- A33 (The Avenue) & A3057 (Shirley Road) — Expect slow-moving traffic around the edge of the Common between 08:30 AM and 10:00 AM as runners navigate to local parking zones.
How to Get to the Meeting Location (SO15 7NN)
The primary race village assembly point is positioned on the lower southeastern lawns of Southampton Common:
- By Bus: High-frequency services run directly past the park. Board the Bluestar line 1 or UniLink U1A from the city center, dropping off at the “St James Road” or “Archers Road” stops right outside the Common lawns.
- By Train: Southampton Central Station is roughly a 20-minute flat walk north via Milton Road and Fitzhugh, or a quick 5-minute taxi connection to the Avenue gate.
- By Bicycle: Excellent cycling trails run through the park. Dedicated bicycle locking posts are located next to the Cowherds Inn and the play areas.
Where to Park Near Southampton Common
There is no public vehicle parking allowed inside the boundary of the Common itself. Utilize these nearby parking solutions:
- Cemetery Road Parking Bays: Pay-and-display parking spaces located directly along the edge of the Common, accessible via The Avenue (A33). Spaces fill up exceptionally quickly on race mornings.
- Decathlon Store Parking (Harbour Parade, SO15 1BA): If you choose to park at the multi-story city car parks near the retail outlet, the start line is a 20-minute walk north past the Civic Centre.
Discover More Local Events
Looking for more exciting things to do across the city? Check out our complete list of What’s On in Southampton to discover the latest festivals, live music, theater shows, and community events happening near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What date and time does Decathlon Southampton #RunDays 2026 take place?
- The event takes place on Sunday 12 July 2026 at Southampton Common. The registration point opens at 08:30 AM, final check-in closes at 09:30 AM, the group warm-up begins at 09:40 AM, and the 5K run officially starts at 10:00 AM.
- Where is the exact meeting location for the race start?
- The event village and starting line assembly point is located on the lower lawns of Southampton Common, using the postcode SO15 7NN for navigation.
- Do children need tickets to participate in the 5K?
- No, children under 16 can join completely free of charge and do not need a pre-booked digital ticket. Up to 3 children can accompany one paying adult. You simply register them and sign a standard liability waiver at the event desk on race morning.
- Where and when can I collect my race number and event t-shirt?
- You can collect your race kit early at the Decathlon Southampton store (24 Harbour Parade, SO15 1BA) from Monday 6th July up until the day before the race. Alternatively, you can collect it at the Common registration desk on race day between 08:30 AM and 09:30 AM. Bringing your booking confirmation email is mandatory.
- What facilities and safety measures are available on the course?
- The event provides accessible public toilets, a fully staffed first aid station, and post-race drinks at the finish line. Runners are strongly advised to bring their own small water bottles to refill at the park taps.