The 32nd Brighton Half Marathon, organised by The Sussex Beacon, will take place on Sunday 27 February.
The race starts for runners at 9am on Madeira Drive before winding its way around some of Brighton’s most iconic sites including the Palace Pier, The Grand Brighton, The Royal Pavilion, The West Pier, Brighton Marina, and the colourful Hove Beach Huts.
The Brighton Half will see thousands of runners – both beginners to the distance and seasoned half marathoners – taking to the streets of Brighton & Hove.
The Brighton Half Marathon race is organised by Brighton-based charity The Sussex Beacon, which provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV. The charity helps hundreds of people living with HIV in Sussex and the race is the charity’s largest annual event. Other charity partners include local charities Chestnut Tree House and national charities Macmillan and Alzheimer’s Society.
The Brighton Half Marathon has secured the support of a range of high-profile sponsors and partners including HIGH5, Runners Need, BBC Sussex, Donatello, RunBrighton, Frosts, JustGiving, Bird & Blend, KIND, Sea Lanes and Brighton & Hove City Council.
After last year’s enforced changes to the date and format due to Covid-19, the race team is delighted the event is returning to its usual place at the start of the running calendar and with a full race field.
The 32nd Brighton Half Marathon, organised by The Sussex Beacon, will take place on Sunday 27 February.
The race starts for runners at 9am on Madeira Drive before winding its way around some of Brighton’s most iconic sites including the Palace Pier, The Grand Brighton, The Royal Pavilion, The West Pier, Brighton Marina, and the colourful Hove Beach Huts.
The Brighton Half will see thousands of runners – both beginners to the distance and seasoned half marathoners – taking to the streets of Brighton & Hove.
The Brighton Half Marathon race is organised by Brighton-based charity The Sussex Beacon, which provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV. The charity helps hundreds of people living with HIV in Sussex and the race is the charity’s largest annual event. Other charity partners include local charities Chestnut Tree House and national charities Macmillan and Alzheimer’s Society.
The Brighton Half Marathon has secured the support of a range of high-profile sponsors and partners including HIGH5, Runners Need, BBC Sussex, Donatello, RunBrighton, Frosts, JustGiving, Bird & Blend, KIND, Sea Lanes and Brighton & Hove City Council.
After last year’s enforced changes to the date and format due to Covid-19, the race team is delighted the event is returning to its usual place at the start of the running calendar and with a full race field.
Race day key timings
06:30 Park & Ride sites opens
07:00 Race village and help desk opens
07:15 Baggage facility opens
07:15 Road closures start
08:57 Wheelchair Race starts
09:00 Race starts
11:00 Elite winners’ presentations
14:00 Race site closes
Race starter: Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil)
Double Olympic Champion Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes MBE is one of the UK’s most popular athletes. Initially joining the British Army at 17, she served for over 10 years and was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services. Kelly has won medals at Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic level, culminating in two gold medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004 for the 800m and 1500m. She was honoured with a Damehood in 2005 for services to sport. Today Kelly is an inspirational speaker, award-winning author and entrepreneur as well as a fitness, wellness, and mental health champion. As well as starting the race, Kelly will be running in the event.
Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil) said “I am really looking forward to starting the Brighton Half Marathon this year. Seeing mass participation events back to their best is fantastic! It has motivated me to get back training and run it too. So my plan is to start the race off, jump down and get involved. I will not be racing – just enjoying the atmosphere.”
The 32nd Brighton Half Marathon, organised by The Sussex Beacon, will take place on Sunday 27 February.
The race starts for runners at 9am on Madeira Drive before winding its way around some of Brighton’s most iconic sites including the Palace Pier, The Grand Brighton, The Royal Pavilion, The West Pier, Brighton Marina, and the colourful Hove Beach Huts.
The Brighton Half will see thousands of runners – both beginners to the distance and seasoned half marathoners – taking to the streets of Brighton & Hove.
The Brighton Half Marathon race is organised by Brighton-based charity The Sussex Beacon, which provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV. The charity helps hundreds of people living with HIV in Sussex and the race is the charity’s largest annual event. Other charity partners include local charities Chestnut Tree House and national charities Macmillan and Alzheimer’s Society.
The Brighton Half Marathon has secured the support of a range of high-profile sponsors and partners including HIGH5, Runners Need, BBC Sussex, Donatello, RunBrighton, Frosts, JustGiving, Bird & Blend, KIND, Sea Lanes and Brighton & Hove City Council.
After last year’s enforced changes to the date and format due to Covid-19, the race team is delighted the event is returning to its usual place at the start of the running calendar and with a full race field.
Race day key timings
06:30 Park & Ride sites opens
07:00 Race village and help desk opens
07:15 Baggage facility opens
07:15 Road closures start
08:57 Wheelchair Race starts
09:00 Race starts
11:00 Elite winners’ presentations
14:00 Race site closes
Race starter: Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil)
Double Olympic Champion Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes MBE is one of the UK’s most popular athletes. Initially joining the British Army at 17, she served for over 10 years and was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services. Kelly has won medals at Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic level, culminating in two gold medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004 for the 800m and 1500m. She was honoured with a Damehood in 2005 for services to sport. Today Kelly is an inspirational speaker, award-winning author and entrepreneur as well as a fitness, wellness, and mental health champion. As well as starting the race, Kelly will be running in the event.
Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil) said “I am really looking forward to starting the Brighton Half Marathon this year. Seeing mass participation events back to their best is fantastic! It has motivated me to get back training and run it too. So my plan is to start the race off, jump down and get involved. I will not be racing – just enjoying the atmosphere.”
The route
Miles 1 – 3
Starting on Madeira Drive, you’ll turn right at the SeaLife Centre, towards Ovingdean, passing regal Royal and Lewes Crescent architecture on your left. Continuing on Marine Drive and the bracing cliff tops, the race will head towards Roedean School, where a sharp turn on the road before Roedean Road will bring you back west towards Brighton, enjoying wonderful cliff top and panoramic city views.
Miles 3 – 7
Picking up the pace as you run past the iconic blue railings on Marine Parade, spot Brighton Palace Pier on your left. At Aquarium Roundabout the race heads north, past the grandeur of the Royal Pavilion towards the majesty of St Peter’s Church. Carrying on you’ll loop around The Level before you head south back down Grand Parade to the Old Steine before turning right onto Grand Junction Road. In mile 7 you’ll hit The Grand Brighton, the city’s iconic seafront hotel. The course heads towards Hove next, and you’ll be able to spot the West Pier on the horizon, plus the British Airways i360.
Miles 7 – 13.1
Once past the two piers, you will head into Hove along the Kings Road with the majestic cream regency architecture on your right and the sea on your left. At the Bandstand you’ll run round Bedford Square before carrying on along the seafront where you’ll run up Grand Avenue and back down to the Queen Victoria statue. Past the King Alfred Leisure Centre, you will run to Hove Lagoon before turning left onto the seafront. A great two mile run past the colourful beach huts of Hove will bring you back to the Peace Statue, where the race re-joins the road for the last dash to the finish on Madeira Drive.
Full route details and information can be found on the event website here.
About The Sussex Beacon, organisers of the race
The Sussex Beacon provides specialist care and support for people living with HIV. Its services promote independence and improve health and wellbeing by providing inpatient and outpatient services.
Services are run from the charity’s centre in Brighton where there is a 10-bed inpatient unit, therapy rooms and larger rooms for group work. There is also a landscaped garden for patients and visitors to enjoy all year round. The charity aims to provide high-quality care and support in a friendly and homely environment.
The charity celebrates its 30th year in 2022, and the fundraising arm of the charity – Team Beacon – hopes to smash its fundraising record in the event.
Find out more about The Sussex Beacon on the charity’s website here.
Wheelchair Races
The race team welcomes the return of the Wheelchair Race this year, after being postponed in 2021. Starting just ahead of the main half marathon event, the Wheelchair Race is a highlight for spectators throughout the 13.1 mile course.
Youth Races and Relay
The Youth Races and Relay will be back in full force for the 2023 race on Sunday 26 February next year.
2023 event opening for entry soon
The 2023 event will be held on Sunday 26 February 2023 and registration will be opening soon. Runners will be able to register on the website brightonhalfmarathon.com.
Road closures
In order for the Brighton Half Marathon to be safe for everyone involved we need to close some roads. We work closely with Sussex Police, Brighton & Hove City Council and The AA to ensure that there is minimum disruption across the city.
The following roads will be closed (timings are approximations only):
• 02:00-19:00 – Madeira Drive
• 07:30-12:00 – Old Steine, Marlborough Place, Grand Parade, Pavilion Parade, Richmond Terrace, St Peter’s Place
• 07:30-11:45 – Marine Parade, Marine Drive
• 07:30-13:30 – Kings Road to Grand Avenue (Westbound & Eastbound lanes)
• 07:30–13:00 – Kings Road, Kingsway (Westbound lane only), Grand Avenue
Wherever possible, alternate routes will be advised and signed on the day of the event. All the road closures will be staffed by event stewards. Other roads adjacent to these roads may be affected. All closure points will be marshalled. If you require more information please email half.marathon@sussexbeacon.org.uk.
