Launched in 1990, it is part of the Great Run series created by former British athlete Brendan Foster.

Previous sponsors have been ExpressTest by Cignpost Diagnostics (2021), Simplyhealth (2017–2019), Morrisons (2015),[2] Bupa (1993–2014) and Diet Coke (1990–1992).

The 1999 edition of the race was selected to be the Amateur Athletic Association 10-mile championships that year.

[7] Paula Radcliffe won the women's race in 2008 in a time of 51 minutes 11 seconds, a new British record.

[8] Kenyan runner Joseph Ebuya won the 2010 edition in 45:15 minutes, which was a significant improvement upon the previous UK all-comers record held by the 1995 winner Benson Masya.