The Vitality Brighton Half Marathon will celebrate a major milestone on race day, February 22 2015, when it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
WEDNESDAY, January 28 will mark the ‘25 days to go’ mark for the landmark 25th anniversary race.
Organised by The Sussex Beacon, a charity which provides a range of services for men, women and families living with or affected by HIV across Sussex, the race has grown in popularity over its history and the 2015 race field will be the largest ever.
The race started in 1990 as a small event involving around 200 runners from local athletic clubs. When the 2015 race takes place on Sunday, February 22, 12,500 runners will take to the streets of Brighton and Hove to run 13.1 miles around the city – an extra 2,000 runners on top of 2014’s entry figure of 10,500.
The race has become an established event for those training for a spring marathon and is the first major race in the running calendar.
Over its 25 year history, Paul Martelletti is the fastest male runner. He completed the course in a time of 65.52 minutes in 2014, and in the women’s race, Emma Taylor-Gooby is the fastest with a time of 78.03 in 2013.
All runners finishing the event this year will receive a special commemorative medal to celebrate the milestone year; race organisers have a few surprises up their sleeves to get the birthday race underway at the race start on Madeira Drive.
Race Director Martin Harrigan says: “To reach a 25-year landmark is an amazing achievement for any road-racing event and to do so whilst still retaining the feeling of a community event is what I believe makes our race so special. It is a real testament to the city and its incredible running culture.”
Simon Dowe, CEO of The Sussex Beacon, added: “The Sussex Beacon has been the organiser of the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon for over a decade and we are proud to deliver one of the most popular events in the running calendar. The event provides our charity with valuable income that allows us to run vital services for people affected by HIV. The event also provides significant fundraising opportunities for our many charity partners.”
Charity partners for the 2015 race include: WaterAid (International Charity Partner), Scope (National Charity Partner), Rise (Local Charity Partner) and Chestnut Tree House (Youth Partner Charity).
Runners can also pledge to run on behalf of The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the official charity partner to the Vitality Run Series.
Partners confirmed for the 2015 race include: Vitality, Russell New, Nick Rivett Sport, Visit Brighton, Brighton and Hove City Council and Studio57 Clinic.
For more information about the race, click here:
For more information about the Sussex Beacon, click here:
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