Thousands of runners turned out for the Brighton Half Marathon yesterday, in perfect sunny race conditions, running 13.1 miles around the city of Brighton. The event marks the 32nd anniversary of the Brighton Half Marathon, and the 30th anniversary of Team Beacon, the HIV charity that organises the race.
The event started at 8.57am with the wheelchair race, which saw the biggest ever field for this event, including three Team GB athletes. The main race was started at 9am by Dame Kelly Holmes MBE (mil), who then jumped in and joined the runners on their route through the city!
The route took runners past the stunning seafront cliff tops of east Brighton, the Royal Pavilion, the Grand Brighton hotel, the i360, the colourful beach huts of Hove seafront and the iconic Brighton Palace Pier. The field featured hundreds of runners new to the half marathon distance, experienced half marathoners and elite runners, with thousands of spectators lining the route to cheer on the runners.
In the wheelchair race Moatez Jomni of the Weir Archer Academy took first place in the men’s race with a time of 62 minutes and 15 seconds, with the women’s race being won by Eden Rainbow-Cooper also from the Weir Archer Academy who finished in 73 minutes and 18 seconds.
In the men’s race, Ross Skelton of HY Runners took first place with a time of 67 minutes and 48 seconds; second place went to Marshall Smith of Ashford AC, who came home in 68 minutes and 18 seconds; third place went to Simon Heath of Brighton Phoenix who finished in 68 minutes and 58 seconds.
The women’s race was won by elite runner Charlotte Ragan of Basingstoke & Mid Hants AC, who finished in 79 minutes and 14 seconds, followed by Rachel Gifford of Birmingham Running Athletics & Triathlon Club in 79 minutes and 26 seconds. Third place went to Emma Navesey of Lewes AC in 79 minutes and 46 seconds.
Alongside the elite field, thousands of charity runners took to the streets of the city, raising money for over 24 charities, including local charities the Sussex Beacon and Chestnut Tree House, and national charities including Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan.
The Sussex Beacon is a Brighton-based charity which provides a range of services for men, women and families living with or affected by HIV across Sussex. For more info, CLICK HERE
Bill Puddicombe, Executive Director, Sussex Beacon said: “We are so happy to be back in our regular slot at the start of the race calendar, with a full field and the wheelchair race returning. This has been a very special race for us as it marks the 30 year anniversary of the Sussex Beacon.
“The Brighton Half Marathon is the main fundraising event for the Sussex Beacon, but we also raise money for over 24 other charities, so it means a great deal to us to be back putting on this incredible event. A huge thank you to everyone who has come down today to run, volunteer and support the runners!”
You can sign up for the 2023 race now by CLICKING HERE.