Drum roll please… we’re delighted to reveal the special medal for our 30th anniversary race on 23rd February. We don’t know about you, but it’s got us very excited about race day next year!
If you haven’t yet entered but want one of these bling beauties, enter soon as we’re getting close to sell out for general entries. Once we sell out, we never re-open the race so this is your last chance.
The Sussex Beacon are celebrating a staggering 30 years of the Brighton Half Marathon in 2020. Most importantly, 30 years of support from local businesses and thousands of volunteers who make this event and Team Beacon possible.
The Grand Brighton Half Marathon is our biggest fundraiser. Owned and delivered by The Sussex Beacon, the event raises essential funds for our services for people living with HIV. Within the 12,000 annual entrants are a team of runners going the extra mile by fundraising for The Sussex Beacon. We call these incredible people ‘Team Beacon’. Over the last 4 years, 750 Team Beacon runners raised an astonishing £105,000 with support from family and friends.
We are proud to provide Team Beacon with fantastic facilities, hospitality and support on race day to give every runner the best experience. This wouldn’t be possible without one very special supporter who goes above and beyond to support The Sussex Beacon.
Andrew Buchan, IT Architect and Director at Glencairn Consulting, is generously sponsoring Team Beacon 2020! Supporting the charity and every runner who is testing their limits by running 13.1 miles for The Sussex Beacon.
Glencairn Consulting are an independent IT consulting company providing Enterprise Architecture services to companies across financial, public, private and charity sectors. They specialise in major change programs and above all bring years of experience delivering new technologies in cost saving delivery methodologies. Andrew very generously supports a variety of good causes any way he can.
Andrew is a keen runner himself and advocates the physical and mental benefits of running.
“There is nothing better than to go out for an early morning run and let problems resolve through the run. Running in groups and events are a great method of pushing your limits to get to the next goal. For me it’s about pushing yourself to achieve a better time than before. Whilst also enjoying the atmosphere and fun in running”
We are always blown away by Andrews commitment to running and supporting local charities in the process. Andrew has completed many challenge events, and we’re delighted The Grand Brighton Half Marathon remains on his yearly running calendar.
“The Brighton Half is a great course and a good starting point for half marathon events. The support along the route is great and you feel encouraged all the way. The location is perfect with a near flat course (albeit a slight incline on first leg). It is a great feeling running along Madeira Drive and finishing knowing you have achieved a goal and made a huge impact on charities like The Sussex Beacon as a result. The Sussex Beacon is a great charity to support and one of my favourites. Team Beacon is a great place to join and become part of a huge running team with encouragement all the way, a private tent for preparing and relaxing in after the event, plus free food to re-charge the batteries.”
We asked Andrew to tell us his favourite thing about The Grand Brighton Half Marathon – and we definitely agree!
“The atmosphere. No matter what the weather, the streets are crowded with supporters and it’s an amazing feeling crossing the line knowing what you have achieved personally and for charities.”
Andrew has been a supporter and volunteer at The Sussex Beacon for many years. A vital part of the team, he always goes above and beyond to support the organisation any way he can.
“I have been personally involved with the Sussex Beacon for about 5 years now and as a HIV Positive man, I know the services they provide are vital to our community. Not only in Brighton but the surrounding areas too. The team provide valuable services to anyone affected by HIV and are fully supportive and inclusive. Sponsoring Team Beacon allows me to give something back to The Sussex Beacon. Helping to raise awareness of their cause whilst encouraging runners to join Team Beacon.”
We are incredibly fortunate for Andrew’s invaluable support. Without ongoing supporters and volunteers like Andrew and Glencairn Consulting, we simply wouldn’t exist.
If you would like to join Team Beacon, please visit the Team Beacon page for full details or register via the ‘Enter 2020’ button. If you would like to volunteer for The Sussex Beacon or support the charity in other ways however, please visit The Sussex Beacon website.
Brighton Half celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2020 and as part of the celebrations, we’ve been taking a jaunt down memory lane. We were lucky enough to meet the first ever winner of the race back in 1990 – David Knight.
David Knight at our launch night with wife Mandi
What was your winning time back in that very first Brighton Half in 1990?
I think about 1hr 7mins.
Was there a prize for winning the race?
A medal and £25 vouchers I think.
Do you recall who came second and third that first year?
I’m not sure the first year, but in the second year the second runner was Mike Smith, but there was a bit of drama as even though I beat him by 4mins 45secs, because I entered on the day, I wasn’t allowed the first medal – they gave it to him! (See the news cutting at the foot of the blog).
What was the route for that first race?
It started at the Marina and ran along the undercliff then back on ourselves on the top road – Marine Parade. After that I can’t remember!
Do you recall how many runners took part?
There was about 400-450.
How did you find out about the race – was it very much a club event back then?
I ran for Brighton & Hove Athletics Club, and was invited to run by Ron Grover of Arena 80.
Were there many people watching?
Sam Lambourn cycled in front with me, but there were only really people at the finish. None of the roads were closed back then.
Have you carried on running in the 30 years since?
Yes little bits – I stopped in 1995 as my wife was very ill fighting cancer, but she’s fine now. At the time I was sponsored by Adidas.
Do you think the running industry has changed much over the 30 years?
There is bigger prize money, which has brought more elite runners from all over the world. And because of the fitness boom, there are a lot more runners doing it to keep fit and healthy.
Do you know if people ran for charities in races back in the early 1990s?
Yes they did.
A press cutting from The Argus in 1991 after David Knight missed out on the first place medal because race rules disallowed his ‘on the day entry’.
Congratulations on completing The Grand Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday – despite the chill!
You may be feeling a bit stiff today in which case further massage here at Sundial can improve your recovery. A long run can cause muscles to tighten and shorten and massage works to elongate the muscles, relieve muscle tightness and restore joint range of motion.
Another benefit of post-run massage is to improve circulation. This helps improve tissue healing as more blood circulation means more nutrients to the muscles which reduces soreness and fatigue. The effects are cumulative too, so several therapeutic massages spaced a few days a part brings big benefits.
Sometimes in spite of massage and other post-run activities like stretching and foam rolling the soreness persists. This can be a sign of a deeper injury in which case our physio, James, can help.
Although our laser is also great at reducing muscle soreness a sure sign that you might need a check with James might be if the pain is around a joint and worsens with weight bearing and movement. Normal post-run muscle soreness tends to improve through the day with gentle activity but this will tend to aggravate a more serious joint or muscle problem.
If you are having back pain or neck pain then a check up with one of our chiropractors might be worthwhile. Sometimes running can irritate and stiffen the spinal or pelvic joints especially if your back and core muscles aren’t as strong as they should be. Chiropractic can improve spinal flexibility with gentle joint techniques.
If you have post run aches and pains and some help, then give us a call – we will advise whether you need massage, physiotherapy or chiropractic. Everyone who ran on Sunday can claim a £10 discount off a session here at Sundial.
