Seven steps to a happy race day
The Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2015 is coming around quickly. As well as putting in the last few weeks of training, a little bit of preparation will go a long way in helping you to have a great race day on 22 February. Get ready for the race with our seven steps…
1. Plan your travel
How are you planning to get to the race? Brighton has limited parking and road closures start from 8.15am. If you’re planning to travel by car, the Park & Ride service is the best way to get to the Race Village – the deadline to book is Sunday 15 February.
If you’re travelling by train, be sure to check your journey before race day. Trains into Brighton are subject to engineering at weekends so do check Southern Trains Planned Improvement Works.
2. Don’t forget your race number
Your race pack includes your all-important race number. This contains a small chip, which will give you a precise time for the half marathon distance. Please complete your medical information at the back of your number and pin it to the front of your running vest. If for any reason you don’t receive the race pack containing your number, you’ll be able to pick it up at the help desk in the race village – the desk opens at 7am.
3. Find your pen colour
Your race number will be coloured according to your allocated start pen. Coloured flags along Madeira Drive will correspond to the colour on your race number indicating your starting pen; please be sure to go to your allocated starting pen.
4. Agree a place to meet friends & family
The start and finish line of the race on Madeira Drive gets very busy on race day, and mobile phone networks often get busy. With tired legs, the last thing you’ll want to do after the race is to go searching for friends and family . To avoid any problems, arrange a place to meet friends and family beforehand.
5. Pack the night before
Scrambling around for your kit at an unearthly hour of the morning will only make race day nerves worse. Plus there’s a chance you’ll forget an essential piece of kit – while our help desk volunteers will be as helpful as possible, sadly we can’t provide spare running shoes…
6. Prepare for the weather
The UK weather is unpredictable at the best of times, and in a seafront location in February we get a range of temperatures and conditions. Please check the weather beforehand and bring layers to wrap up after the race. You’ll be able to leave extra layers in the baggage area.
7. Ask a steward if you have any problems
There will be stewards around the race course and village. Please ask if you have any problems and they’ll do their best to help.
Enjoy the final few weeks of training and see you on the start line!
