This weekend is one of our biggest and busiest of each year, people flock here for ‘The Brighton Marathon Weekend’. It is an exciting three-day event that takes place each April in our fabulous city. Over 20,000 participants will take part across the events, while over 150,000 spectators line the city streets to show their support. Events include the UK’s second largest marathon, Brighton Marathon, the BM10k race, and the youth event, The Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Mini Mile Races. New for 2019, is the addition of BM Ride. This is the first ever closed-road cycling event to take place in Brighton & Hove. Also open throughout the weekend, is the huge Event Village, which is installed on Brighton beach for supporters, runners and the local community to enjoy. This is an event for everyone, with something for all ages and abilities. Come and be a part of it!

This year is a special year for the Maraton here in Brighton as it celebrates its 10th birthday!! In 2010 the first Brighton Marathon and the first ever marathon in the city of Brighton & Hove was staged, it was officially started by Olympic gold medallist and former resident Steve Ovett. Now the event is officially the 8th largest Marathon in Europe! Back in 2010 a total of 7,427 finishers crossed the line, while just under 500 runners took part in the first edition of the youth event, The Mini Mile Races. Since then the event has grown substantially to become the Brighton Marathon Weekend with the introduction of two additional events (BM10k and BM Ride) and the bespoke built Event Village on Brighton Beach.

Over 12,000 runners take part in the marathon each April, enjoying a course that starts in Preston Park, snakes its way through the city centre, along the glorious seafront and finishes at the iconic Madeira Drive in front of thousands of cheering spectators. The course bests for the men and women are well under 2hrs10min and 2:29, making it the second-fastest marathon in the UK. It is also the second-largest marathon in the UK.

Last year Welsh marathon runner, Dan Nash, led the Brighton Marathon men’s field from the gun for over 25 miles, despite stopping twice mid race for a toilet break. He will back for more this year and will be vying for first place against the likes of James Connor, Andy Maud and Paul Navesey. Meanwhile, Helen Davies ran away with the women’s race last year to win in 2:38:41. She is back in 2019, looking to reclaim her title and beat her course PB of 2:34:11. In addition to £2,000 cash prize for the winners, new time bonuses have been introduced to spur the marathon runners on with a new British course record offering an extra £1,500 for those who break it. 2:18:04 and 2:31:08 are the times to keep an eye on in both races. Phew!! pretty quick!!

Children aged 7-17 can get involved with the Brighton Marathon Weekend and run a 1 mile course at Preston Park in these age-related races. Taking place the day before the Brighton Marathon and BM10k, they too can experience all the fun and atmosphere of the Brighton Marathon Weekend. The Mini Mile Village offers big screens, great food, drink and an array of fun activities to do together before, during and after the event.Children can also help fundraise for title sponsor Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens to raise money for research into cancers affecting children, teens and young adults. My kids run it each year and its always a fabulous day out and a great way to help raise money for Cancer Research!