Keen to see the results and your photos from race day? They’re live!
See your results here.
See your photos here.
From runners and sponsors to charity partners and volunteers, the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon involves huge numbers of people – a massive THANK YOU for being a part of it this year!
See you in 2017! Entries opening very soon…
In the lead up to race day we get lots of questions about the race. The vast majority of these are answered on our common questions page or FAQs pages so please do check these out. In these pages you’ll find the information you need on our most common questions, and lots more, including:
We look forward to seeing you on race day!
Physio Quentin Guichard from our sports massage and injury prevention partner Sundial Clinics gives his advice in the lead up to race day.
Nutrition
Are you eating well and enough? With the cold weather you’ll burn more calories when running but also in your daily life. If you are tired, catching colds or feeling run down, it might be the season but may also be your nutrition that is suffering. Think about what and when you eat to fuel those cold runs and long days.
Rest
How much sleep are you having during the week and weekends? Sleeping is your body’s way of charging itself up like a battery for the next day’s task; its way of repairing itself. If you don’t charge your battery long enough, it will not power you for very long or very well. Not everyone needs the same amount of sleep but the more active you are in a day the more these good hours of sleep are precious to your body. Skip the sleep and you will feel it!
Strength
Endurance? (Will) power? By now you should have a pretty good idea of your weaknesses. If you feel your muscles could do with a boost, look at these videos by Sundial physio James on 3 strengthening moves for runners and get started! You can alternate between running sessions and strength training to maximise the benefits in the last weeks of your training.
Stretching
To stretch or not to stretch? Most people include stretches in their routine and it’s important to keep flexible and prepare your muscles for a run if you sit most of the day (which lots of us do). Stretching is also an injury prevention tool.
Don’t rush stretching though: A stretch should be held for over 30 seconds and be practised every day. The three stretches I recommend are: Hamstrings, hip flexors and calfs and here is how to do these.
Stay injury free
How are you doing? If you feel your body is letting you down in the final few weeks ahead of the race get it checked out by a physiotherapist sooner rather than later. It might be as simple as a stretch you are not doing.
Massage and stretching service on race day
Good luck for the next couple of weeks and see you on the 28th! Sundial will be in the massage marquee, by the beach. See the race village map here.
Get a massage, it’s good for recovery and a percentage of the proceeds will go to The Sussex Beacon charity. Go to the Shop to book. We’ll also have free access to a stretching area in the massage marquee with people showing you their know-how.
Come and say hello on race day!
Each and every year we hear many inspirational stories of runners who sign up to run the Brighton Half to raise money for a charity close to their hearts. This year Sara Snood, a local runner who was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2014 and set upon a hat challenge which raised thousands for charity, will be in our running field of 13,000 runners. Sara received a Point of Light award from Prime Minister David Cameron earlier this year in celebration of her fundraising achievements. Now her ambitions lie in 13.1 miles on 28 February – if you see her running on race day (in another hat of course!), give her a cheer!
People in Brighton may recognise you from your ‘hat challenge’ – how did that go and is your challenge now finished?
Occasionally I get recognised; people are very kind and supportive. I feel overwhelmed with the support I get from doing my challenge. My official challenge was supposed to end on 12 October 2014, which was a year to the day of my first day of chemotherapy. However, I have been asked to keep going by so many people, that I feel it must go on. I also enjoy it so much.
Is Brighton Half your next fundraising goal?
Yes it is – I’ve currently raised over £16,300 for Macmillan, who have been there for me from the day of my diagnosis and continue to be there for me now – it would be amazing to get that to £17,000 for the Half Marathon challenge. I don’t think I’m going to break any records, but I’m utterly determined to run the whole way around the course.
Can you tell us about the #GoCheckYourBits campaign?
Initially I set up the campaign to get me through chemo one day at a time. I knew I was going to lose my hair, so a different piece of headgear seemed a good idea and it raised some money for Macmillan. My initial target was £200!
As the campaign picked up momentum my hope is that it will encourage people to be body aware, to know their norm, so if in the event of a lump or a bump or a new persistent cough for example, to go and get it checked out. Early diagnosis really does give the best prognosis. I think it’s a humorous way to keep the message going.
How is your health since having treatment for breast cancer?
I’m OK – the treatment takes its toll, and it’s taken a while to get back to running. I have ongoing nerve pain and lymphodema in my arm, which means I can’t go back to work. My partner and I have a building and renovation company which I am no longer able to work with due to the problems with my arm.
How is your training going for the half?
Amazingly well. I can’t quite believe it. A few months ago I could barely walk upstairs without being so short of breath. I set up a training plan, and I am now up to 9 miles. This weekend, I’m aiming for 10 miles. My pace is nowhere near where it was before my diagnosis, and my arm is very painful, but what I gain from running, and having the target of the half marathon, far outweighs the pain.
Can we expect to see you running in a hat on race day?
Yes! I’m in the middle of making it – all I can say at the moment is that it’ll be green in line with Macmillan’s colours – so I should hopefully be easy to spot on the day for my family and friends who will be there egging me on.
Follow Sara on Twitter @fizzysnood
www.justgiving.com/chemosnoodhead
In an Olympic year, who better to start you on your half marathon journey than an Olympian? With 6 weeks to go to race day, we’re super-pleased to announce that athletics star Sally Gunnell OBE will be our race starter this year.
Sounding the starting klaxon at 9am on race day on 28 February, Sally will send runners on their 13.1 mile route around Brighton and Hove.
Sally will also be presenting the winners with their trophies at the elite race presentations at 11am.
A local to the Sussex area, Sally is a former track and field athlete who won the 1992 Olympic gold medal in the 400m hurdles. Today Sally champions health and wellbeing initiatives and works closely with individuals and businesses across the UK to promote the benefits of sports and a healthy lifestyle.
We look forward to welcoming Sally and all 13,000 runners to the race next month!
We get lots of phone calls and emails at this time of year asking if we have any race places left. The answer is: yes! While general places sold out at the end of the summer, there are still charity entries available. The deadline is January 31st to enter for a charity place, so if you’re keen to run on 28 February, enter soon!
Our ‘Pier’ and ‘Beach Hut’ partner charities which still have places remaining include the charities below, plus some of our ‘Beach Ball’ partners are still looking for runners – take a look at the full list of our charity partners here to choose who to run for.
Running food doesn’t have to mean soggy pasta. Chef Alan White from luxury restaurant GB1 in The Brighton Grand – one of our race partners this year – has created a selection of runner recipes which not only replenish energy stores but taste delicious.
Serves 2. Great to carb load ahead of a long run, or after a run to refuel.
Download a PDF of the recipe here.
INGREDIENTS
100gm monkfish (collops, your local fishmonger can advise)
5gm salt
3gm black pepper
50gm brown penne pasta
50gl tender stem broccoli (remove 1” from the bottom)
6 cherry tomatoes (cut in half)
6 olives (cut cheeks)
15gm capers
10gm chopped parsley
10gm shallots (diced)
½ red pepper (burn skin off with blow torch or naked flame, deseed and cut into squares)
30ml extra virgin olive oil
METHOD
1. Blanch pasta in boiling salted water and refresh.
2. Cut monkfish into collops and pan fry in olive oil for 2-3 minutes, then turn them.
3. Add tender stem broccoli and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Drop pasta back into boiling hot water for 1 minute and then drain.
5. Add drained pasta to the pan.
5. Add skinless red pepper, cherry tomatoes, shallots, capers, parsley, olives and olive oil. Mix together for 30 seconds.
6. Serve as the photo above and enjoy!
Running food doesn’t have to mean soggy pasta. Chef Alan White from luxury restaurant GB1 in The Brighton Grand – one of our race partners this year – has created a selection of runner recipes which not only replenish energy stores but taste delicious.
Serves 2. Ideal after running for a protein hit to aid muscle recovery.
Download a PDF of the recipe here.
INGREDIENTS
2 x 150gm skinless chicken breast
4tbsp piri piri sauce (recipe below)
10ml olive oil
3gm salt
3gm black pepper
½ red pepper (burnt, deseeded and diced)
6 asparagus spears (cut 1” from end of stalk)
1 red onion (roasted whole, skinned and cut into 1/4)
20gm cashew nuts (roasted)
6 pea shoot tendrils
METHOD (see below for how to make the Piri Piri sauce)
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper and pan fry in olive oil until cooked, remove from pan and allow to rest. Alternatively the chicken can be grilled too.
2. Roast red onion for 15 minutes at 180 degrees, allow to cool, peel and cut into quarters.
3. Roll asparagus in olive oil, season and roast in oven 180 degrees for 10 minutes.
4. Burn skin of the red peppers with a blow torch or on a naked flame on a gas stove, wrap in cling film for 10 minutes, unwrap and wash burnt skin off, deseed and cut into squares.
5. Roast cashews in oven for 10 minutes, 180 degrees. Set aside.
6. Carve chicken into 3 chunks, adding all other ingredients to plate.
7. Serve as the photo above, laying the chicken and other ingredients onto the drizzled piri piri base, garnishing with the pea shoot tendrils. Enjoy!
Piri Piri Sauce Recipe
INGREDIENTS
10 fresh chillies deseeded
2 cloves of garlic blanched
1/2 tsp Maldon salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
125ml olive oil
60ml red wine vinegar
METHOD
1. Blend all ingredients until together, and check seasoning.
2. Store in a jar until required
Registration may have closed, but you can still get yourself and a friend a place by bidding for The Sussex Beacon’s exclusive VIP package on eBay!
Following the success of its Halloween Horror Show auctions this year, The Sussex Beacon – the charity which organises the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon – has released another prize which you will be able to bid upon until 11am November 9 2015.
The exclusive package features:
As well as organising and delivering the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon, The Sussex Beacon also hosts an annual fundraising ball, The Halloween Horror Show, to help them to continue to support people living with HIV to lead independent and healthy lives.
Any money raised from this package will go towards The Sussex Beacon’s Halloween Horror Show fundraising total, which currently stands at over £45,000.
You can view the eBay listing here.
Get bidding!
We’re pleased to announce The Grand Brighton as our official hotel partner for the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2016.
One of Brighton’s best-loved hotels, The Grand Brighton is on the route of the half marathon course, perfectly positioned on the seafront on King’s Road. As well as a luxury hotel, the hotel also features the restaurant GB1, a seafood restaurant with 2 AA Rosettes.
20% off all Spa Day Packages at The Grand Brighton for 2016 race entrants!Sign up for the 2016 race and you can make the most of an exclusive 20% off luxury Spa Days at The Grand Brighton. Simply show your proof of race entry for 2016 to claim the discount. Offer available from Monday to Wednesday until 30 November 2015.
Terms and conditions
All spa packages can be viewed on the Grand Brighton website www.grandbrighton.co.uk/spa. Bookings must be made in advance. Simply present proof of your race entry on arrival to redeem this exclusive offer. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers, is subject to availability and is not available on bank holidays. Offer ends 30th November 2015. Other terms and conditions may apply.
We’re pleased to announce Sundial Clinics as our sports injury partner for the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2016.
With a team of physiotherapists, chiropractors and sports massage therapists, Sundial can help to keep you running through the summer months right up to race day next year.
Helping to keep you running strong over the summer, Sundial is offering Brighton Half runners 20% off sports massage.
Sundial will also be donating 10% of any fees spent by VBHM runners on massage, chiropractic or physiotherapy to the Sussex Beacon, the charity which organises the race.
To make the most of the offer, simply show your proof of race entry for the 2016 race (your email confirmation) to the clinic to receive the discount.
Find out more about Sundial and the services they offer – and if you haven’t yet signed up for the 2016 race, sign up before sell out!
Terms and conditions
Bookings must be made with Sundial Clinics in advance. Simply present proof of your race entry on arrival to redeem the offer. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers and is subject to availability. Other terms and conditions may apply.
Closing soon…
28 August marks six months to go until race day 2016 – if you haven’t got your place in the race on 28 February 2016, now is the time to sign up as entries for standard places will be closing soon.
Charity places
You can also choose to run for one of our charity partners and help raise funds for great causes. As well as our headline charities The Sussex Beacon and Laureus, plus Pier partners RISE, Chestnut Tree House, Scope and WaterAid, you can choose to run for a number of other brilliant causes – see the full list of our charity partners for 2016 on our charities page.
Calling all 7-17 year olds: registration for the Brighton Half Marathon Youth Race is now open!
Our Youth Race is a chance for young runners of all abilities to run a mile on the course of the main race on race day – a unique opportunity to experience the buzz of race day.
Every runner will receive a technical T-shirt and medal, plus first, second and third place winners in each age group will win some brilliant prizes.
There are four age categories to enter:
As well as the buzz of race village, we have a special Youth Race marquee especially for our younger runners and their families, where presentations and a photo call will be held after the race.
Fancy joining us in 2016? Enter the Youth Race here.
As kids go back to school and parents get back into the swing of the 9-5 in September, Active Sussex launches the ‘Shake Up September’ Workplace Challenge, a nationwide campaign to get active in the office.
The free month-long web-based challenge is simple: employees log their sport and physical activity on a dashboard – via the website or app – with the aim to log as much physical activity as possible.
Prizes on offer include:
Register for the Workplace Challenge
To join Shake Up September, head to www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/activesussex. A downloadable poster and activity pack are available to encourage your workmates to sign up too.
Workplace Challenge supports and promotes employee physical activity. To date, more than 6,400 businesses and 35,000 employees have registered for Workplace Challenge nationally.
For advice on implementing an effective activity programme into your workplace, contact Active Sussex’s Workplace Officer Leon Carter at lcarter@activesussex.org.
Registrations have today gone live for our 2016 race which will be held on 28 February 2016 – sign up soon to make sure you get a spot on the start line next year.
Now in its 26th year, the 2016 race promises to be bigger and better than ever before. You can sign up for a standard entry for the main race or choose to run for one of our Pier charities The Sussex Beacon, Laureus, Scope, Chestnut Tree House, Water Aid or RISE.
New for 2016 is The Sussex Beacon Corporate Relay, a good old-fashioned relay featuring five runners, 1 baton and a shared distance of 13.1 miles. Find out more about the relay race here.
Ready to run 13.1 miles in 2016? Sign up here.
Wow, what a day! Thousands of runners joined us to run the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2015 today, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the race.
A sea of confetti got the race off to a colourful start to mark the milestone birthday, and thousands of runners from PB chasers to charity runners to half marathon first timers took to the streets to run 13.1 miles around the city’s landmark sights.
In the elite field, Paul Martelletti (Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC) took home his third successive title – and broke the course record – shaving four seconds off his winning time in 2014 to finish in a time of 01:05:48. Second place went to Kevin Rojas of Brighton & Hove Athletics, who in great form finished with a personal best of 01:06:46. Last-minute entrant to the field Kenyan runner Leonard Bett took third in 01:08:19.
In a nail-biting women’s race, 2014 winner Sarah Hill dominated in the early part of the race, but Julia Davis of Mornington Chasers claimed the women’s trophy with a storming finish in 01:18:23. Runner up Hill was hot on her heels in 01:19:15, and Emily Proto of local club Arena 80 came third in a time of 01:19:45.
Alongside the elite field, thousands of charity runners took to the streets, raising vital funds for over 50 charities, including local charities Chestnut Tree House, RISE and Rocking Horse and national charities including Laureus, WaterAid and Scope.
Celebrity runners in the race included Gethin Jones for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, while sprightly runner George Frogley celebrated his 80th birthday today, sporting the number race number 80 and running with his daughter.
Our partners for this year’s race included Vitality, Nick Rivett Sport, Russell New, Aftershokz, FlipBelt, Visit Brighton, Brighton & Hove City Council and Studio57 Clinic.
A very big thank you to all of our runners, charities, sponsors and partners for helping to make a great race. See you in 2016!
The Vitality Brighton Half Marathon is set to celebrate a major milestone on race day this Sunday, celebrating its 25th anniversary.
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. The 2015 race takes place Sunday 22nd February, when 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. The race is part of the Vitality Run Series for 2015, a national series which features seven of the UK’s leading half marathons plus a 10K.
Over its 25 year history, Paul Martelletti is the fastest male to have completed the course in a time of 65:52 in 2014, and in the women’s race, Emma Taylor-Gooby is the fastest female with a time of 78:03 in 2013.
Both winners from the 2014 race, Paul Martelletti and Sarah Hill will be lining up on the start line with the view to defend their titles in 2015.
Other contenders for the winning title include Kevin Rojas (Brighton & Hove AC) and Kevin Mason (Worthing Harriers), who both placed in the top 5 in 2014.
In the women’s race, 2014 2nd place winner Deidre McDermot returns, looking to steal the trophy from defending champion Sarah Hill (Farnham Runners).
Celebrity runners this year include Norman Cook running for the charity Young Epilepsy and Gethin Williams for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. Runner George Frogley will also be celebrating his 80th birthday on race day and will be sporting the number race number 80.
The Youth Races also take place again, with all 400 places snapped up by young runners of all levels and abilities aged from 7 to 17 years old. Starting and finishing on Madeira Drive, the Youth Races go past the Brighton Wheel, Sea Life Brighton and Brighton Pier before looping at the Thistle Hotel on King’s Road and heading back towards the finish line.
Race day key timings:
7am – Race Village opens
8:15am – Road closures start
8:30am – Runners proceed to their start pens
9am – Start of Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2015. Official starter: Simon Dowe, CEO of The Sussex Beacon, a local HIV Charity
9:20am – Start of Youth Races (4 age categories: 7-10 Years Old, 11-12 Years Old, 13-14 Years Old, 15-17 Years Old)
9:40am – Youth Race prize presentations in the Youth Race marquee
11am – Vitality Brighton Half Marathon prize presentations
2pm – Race Village closes
The Vitality Brighton Half Marathon is organised by and the main fundraising event for The Sussex Beacon, a local HIV charity working to improve health, reduce stigma and prevent premature death. Open 365 days a year, they support men, women and families affected by HIV to manage this life-long condition that has no cure. Other Charity Partners include Laureus (Vitality Run Series Headline Charity) Scope (National Charity Partner), WaterAid (International Charity Partner) and Rise (Local Charity Partner).
Entry to the race is now closed but local residents as well as friends and families of the runners can show their support for the event by lining the streets of Brighton & Hove on Sunday morning and cheering on the athletes and charity runners on their half marathon challenge. The best places to watch the runners include Marine Parade and Hove Lawns where runners can be seen going both ways.
This year the race secures the support of a range of high profile sponsors and partners including Vitality, Nick Rivett Sport, Lucozade Sport, Seattle Hotel, Studio57 Clinic, FlipBelt, Russell New, AfterShokzVisit Brighton and Brighton & Hove City Council.
Nick and running legend Daley Thompson talked to runners at the Laureus training day
A few weeks back we met running coach Nick Anderson at the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon training day organised by our headline charity Laureus. With race day on the horizon, read Nick’s tips for the final few weeks of training to make sure you stand on the start line on 22 February in peak fitness.
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.
Take the hassle out of race day morning with the Park & Ride service. The shuttle bus service will pick you up at Brighton racecourse and drop you off in the race village in plenty of time for the race start.
Timings
Brighton racecourse car park will open from 6:30am. The Park and Ride will close at 4pm.
Drop off buses:
The first bus will depart Brighton racecourse from 6:45am
The last bus will depart Brighton racecourse at 8:15am
Take a look at our highlights from 2014 – and happy running in 2015 from everyone at Vitality Brighton Half!
A big thank you to everyone who entered our competition to win a place for you and a friend in next year’s race. You sent in some inspired training tips – see the five winners below.
Anna Neil on Facebook:
“Write your name on your registration number or somewhere else so the supporters can see it. It’s amazing when total strangers call your name and tell you that you are doing a great job! It really keeps you going.”
Sarah Wilson on Facebook:
“Build up to a comfortable 10 mile run. When you can do that regularly you’re sorted, the exhilaration on the day especially the amazing downhill stretch back towards the Pier will get you through the extra few miles.” Read more
Missed out on a place in next year’s Vitality Brighton Half Marathon? There is another chance…
We’re giving away places for you and a friend at next year’s race on 22nd February 2015, plus a T-shirt and hoodie to get you through the training months ahead.
To be in with a chance of winning, tell us your half marathon training tips using the hashtag #brightonhalf on Twitter or on our competition thread on Facebook (linked to below). From the best local routes in Sussex to general winter training advice, we want to hear your wise words on training for 13.1 miles.
We have 5 x 2 places to give away and we’ll select the winners from the best entries.
The competition closes at 5pm on December 1st 2014 and winners will be announced by Friday 5th December 2014.
Entry to the Brighton Half Marathon Youth Races opened today, a chance for young runners aged 7 – 17 to run a mile on the morning of the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon on 22 February 2015 and experience the atmosphere of a big race.
The 1 Mile Youth Races start and finish on Madeira Drive on Brighton’s seafront and the route takes in the famous city sights of the Brighton Wheel, Sea Life Centre and Brighton Pier.
A total of 500 places are available and the age groups are 7-10, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17 years, with each age category starting in its own wave. The first wave starts at 9:20am, after the start of the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon at 9am.
Open to all abilities, registration to the Youth Races costs £7 (+£1 booking fee). Each runner will have their race electronically chip timed and will receive a free goody bag and medal at the finish line.
The Youth Races provide a unique showcase for emerging local talent, and prizes will be awarded to the three fastest girls and boys in each age group.
Entries close on Friday 19 December or when sold out. Register now at www.brhalfstaging.wpenginepowered.com/take-part/youth-race.
After record entries to our 25th anniversary race next year, we’ve now sold out of general places to the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2015. If you’re you’re keen to run all is not lost – you can still sign up for a charity place and raise vital funds for local or national charities. Pick one close to your heart from our charity partners below.
The deadline for signing up to a charity place is 18 January 2015, though we recommend signing up as early as possible to raise sponsorship. If you’re on Twitter, don’t forget to use our hashtag #brightonhalf!
We’re delighted to announce that Brighton Half Marathon was today revealed as one of eight races in the brand-new Vitality Run Series, launched today in London’s Battersea Park by London 2012 Olympic Heptathlon Gold Medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill.
Featuring seven of the UK’s leading half marathons and one 10k event during 2014/15, the Vitality Run Series aims to inspire all runners to step up to their next challenge. You can see the other races in the Series below.
Entries to our 2015 race are selling out in record time, so if you’ve not yet signed up, make sure you don’t miss out.
In our 25th anniversary year, the 2015 Brighton Half Marathon promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Whether you can tick off all 24 races to date, or are yet to experience the euphoria of completing your first half, we’d love to see you on the start line next February 22nd.
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