Article by
February 22, 2017 at 9:58 am
Race news

Free runner’s MOT and 20% off massage with Sundial

To help you get set for race day – and recover afterwards – our brilliant physio partner Sundial Clinics are offering all VBHM 2017 runners a free 20 minute runner’s MOT and 20% off massage before and after Sunday’s race.

Simply show your race confirmation email, race number (or medal after the race) to take part in the offer.

Sundial Clinics have two chiropractic and physiotherapy clinics in Brighton – one on Queen’s Road close to Brighton train station and one in Kemp Town – plus one clinic in London. Find out more and book a treatment here.

Don’t forget too that you can book a massage on race day. Drop-ins will be available, subject to availability, and you can book ahead (up to Friday 24th Feb) in our Shop.

Article by
February 16, 2017 at 4:58 pm
Race news

Look out for The Grand’s Community Stage

This race day, look out for the brilliant entertainment from our partner The Grand Brighton‘s Community Stage. Entertainment runs from 9.30am — 12pm in front of the hotel (which is close to miles 7 & 12 on the course – see map here). If you’re running the race you can’t miss the entertainment as you’ll run straight past, and it’s also an ideal place for any spectators. Here’s the line up:


EVENT PROGRAMME
9.30am – Introduction from Jennie Castell
9.45am – Traditional Charleston Dancing from Savoy Kicks
9.55am – Learn some moves with the Savoy Kicks with a Mini
Dance Lesson
10.15am – Bird Studios Stage School
10.40am – Popular music from Will Mavin
11am – Bird Studios Zumba Troupe / Street Dance Group
11.20am – Samba from Marta Scott Dance Company
11.50am – Finale performance from singer Jennie Castell

Please note that all entertainment is subject to weather conditions.

Article by
January 19, 2017 at 5:03 pm
Race news

DJ Fat Boy Slim to start the 2017 race

 

We’re very pleased to announce that Brighton local DJ Norman Cook – aka Fat Boy Slim – will be the official starter of the race this year.

Norman, one of the city’s most famous residents, will sound the starting claxon at 9am on race day to get the 13.1 mile race around the city underway.

A keen runner himself, Norman is very familiar with the 13.1 mile route, as he has run the race on numerous occasions. In 2016, Norman ran for the charity Young Epilepsy and this year he will once again run the race, after his official race starter duties have ended.

Norman Cook running in the 2016 race

Norman commented: “As a keen runner, Brighton local and seasoned Brighton Half Marathoner, I’m hugely looking forward to starting the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2017. The race is renowned for its buzzing atmosphere and each and every year the crowd support throughout the route is just fantastic. The race really brings the city together. It’s great to see so many people – especially those new to running and those running for charities – taking on the challenge of 13.1 miles. Bring on 26th Feb!”

Our Race Director Martin commented: “We’re thrilled that Norman Cook will sound the starting claxon this year to get runners on their way around the city. He’s been a big supporter of the race for years, so it’s brilliant to have him waving runners on for their half marathon journey. We’ll make sure he conserves his energy though as he’ll be joining the crowds to run the race himself!”

Standard entries closed over the summer, but runners keen to enter can still sign up to run for charity. But you’ll need to be quick – charity places close on Sunday 29th January.

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January 11, 2017 at 6:07 pm
Charity news  |  Race news

Run for Rockinghorse and make a real impact on the lives of children

Rockinghorse are recruiting runners to take part in the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon in 2017 to celebrate their Golden Jubilee and help raise funds for their Sussex Giving for Sussex Children appeal.

2017 represents the Golden Jubilee for the charity – a time for celebration and continuing to make a real impact on the lives of local children.

Rockinghorse intend to allocate 10 centres and services in Sussex each with £50,000 to help them improve, refurbish, and develop their environment for the young people benefitting from their work. By supporting services across Sussex we can continue the legacy of the work of Rockinghorse, enabling them to support children and young people for the next 50 years.

By taking part in the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon and supporting Rockinghorse, we can continue to collectively ensure children’s services across Sussex are the best they possibly can be for our children now and in the future.

James Reilly took part in the Brighton Half Marathon in 2016 for Rockinghorse and raised just over £1,750. Here’s his story…

“Our Daughter Matilda arrived on 11th September 2015, nearly 8 weeks early. It was very sudden which meant that my wife Jenni was not able to get the full dose of steroid treatment to make sure Matilda’s lungs were fully matured before she gave birth. So Matilda had a pretty hard first six weeks in this world!

“Immediately after she was born, Matilda was treated by the Doctors and Nurses at the Special Care Baby Unit, in Haywards Heath, to make sure she was getting enough oxygen to stabilise her before being transferred to The Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton by the Neonatal Transport Team.

“Once at the TMBU, Matilda spent her first 3-4 days in Neonatal Intensive care having been classed as having Respiratory Distress Syndrome. She needed a ventilator and then an OptiFlow machine, both of which helped her little lungs inflate fully and allowed her to get the right amount of oxygen. She also needed phototherapy to treat some Jaundice and a feeding tube so she could grow.

“Later in the week she was downgraded and moved to the High Dependency Ward at The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital. It was there that she had her first proper breaths in normal air and we began to think about taking her back to SCBU in Haywards Heath and hoped, soon, to take her home.

“Unfortunately, after settling in at the SCBU, Matilda caught a virus and had to go back on OptiFlow breathing support. She then spent a further 7 weeks at the SCBU as the virus really knocked her little lungs which were already pretty weak. Thankfully, a couple of months later, Matilda was given the all clear and is no longer on the oxygen at all.

“I know that must seem far more detail than necessary but I just wanted to mention all the major events in her life so far and the support she received are because the ventilator, the transport incubator, the phototherapy equipment, the drugs, the OptiFlow, the heated cot, the monitoring equipment, the staff, and all the other bits all cost money. Lots of it and, yes the NHS provide some of this, but lots of it is also provided by charities such as Rockinghorse.

“The whole team of Doctors, Nurses and support staff that work in the Alex, SCBU and TMBU do as close a thing to “God’s Work” as I have ever seen and are supported in doing this by this fantastic Charity.

“The equipment that they provide definitely saved Matilda’s life and made her, and us as parents, more comfortable and so I ask, if you can, please take part in the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon and give something back for what they have done for me, Jenni and our beautiful, strong, amazing little girl Matilda.

Thank You

From James, Jenni and Matilda”

To sign up to run the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon for Team Rockinghorse, please contact their Events Fundraising Co-ordinator, Hannah Seltzer on 01273 330044 or email Hannah.seltzer@rockinghorse.org.uk.

 

Article by
January 5, 2017 at 7:00 am
Charity news  |  Race news

Run for Shelter

Make your run really matter – join Team Shelter

This Christmas morning, 124,000 children in Britain woke up homeless. Shocking, isn’t it? By running the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon for Shelter you could help make sure that this year, they have somewhere safe to call home.

Every year, Shelter supports millions of people facing bad housing or homelessness, giving them free and expert advice.

In the video below, you can hear from Kimberley, who talks about her family’s experience of spending Christmas without a home.

What Shelter can offer its runners

The support Shelter gives its runners is hard to beat. They’ll do everything they can to help you prepare for race day and to meet your fundraising target.

As a Shelter runner, you’ll receive:

  • a free Shelter running vest
  • an expert training plan
  • one-to-one fundraising advice
  • a free leg massage and a post-race reception to enjoy with your supporters
  • encouragement from the loudest cheerers on the course

Interested in running for Team Shelter in 2017? Sign up here today.

Article by
December 29, 2016 at 7:00 am
Charity news  |  Race news

Charity of the Week: Chestnut Tree House

Support your local children’s hospice – join #TeamChestnut today!

Chestnut Tree House is the children’s hospice for Sussex and South East Hampshire.   They provide specialist palliative care and support to babies, children and young people with progressive life-shortening conditions and support for their families.

They offer a range of services which include pain control, symptom relief, skilled nursing care, counselling, spiritual care, physiotherapy, and bereavement support for families and relatives.  They also have some fantastic facilities at the hospice, including a hydrotherapy pool, music room, cinema room, multi-sensory room and specially adapted computer equipment.

A respite stay at Chestnut Tree House not only provides palliative and physical care for the child, but also gives family members the opportunity to benefit from a break from care at home for a short while. If the family wishes to, they may stay at Chestnut Tree House in one of their specially equipped family rooms so that they may be close to their child, but at the same time allowing the nursing team to undertake the daily care. Being able to provide this facility is particularly important when a child is admitted to the hospice for end of life care.  They also have a Community Team who provide care in the comfort of families’ own homes.

Families are never charged for the care they receive. It costs well over £3.5 million each year to provide all the care services both at the hospice and out in the community and less than 7% of their funding comes from central government. For the rest they rely on the generosity of the people of Sussex and fundraising events like the Brighton Half Marathon.

Make your half marathon count – join the Chestnut Tree House team today!

Watch the video below to find out more about our work and read more on the Chestnut Tree House website: www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/brightonhalf

 

Eva’s story from St Barnabas Hospices on Vimeo.

Article by
December 27, 2016 at 7:00 am
Race news

Should I stretch or should I go now?

Should you stretch before and after a run? Sundial Physiotherapist James Masterson explains.

If I don’t there will be trouble and if I do there could be double, so come on and let me know…should I stretch or should I go?

The great stretch debate has been going on for several years now with lots of conflicting views leaving the average weekend athlete confused and unsure what to do.  It’s a question I get asked a lot as a physio;

“should I stretch before or after exercise and what type of stretching should I do”?

This is a quick and simple guide into the benefits of stretching for warming up and cooling down during your half marathon training.  At this point it’s probably worth mentioning that there is no one-size-fits-all plan; every individual is different and because of the conflicting evidence on this subject this post is partly based on research and personal experience as a runner and physio.

A study by Simic et al (2012) concluded that static stretching as a sole activity during a warm up routine should generally be avoided, as it was found to reduce power, strength and explosive performance. However, the negative effects were only short term and generally returned to normal after 5 to 10 minutes, these negative effects were also unlikely to occur if the stretch was kept under 45 seconds.

Behm et al (2011) documented that dynamic stretching either has no effect on performance or may improve performance especially when the stretching duration is prolonged.  However, the study also went on to say that static stretching used in a separate training session could actually improve range of movement and health.

Confused?  Join the club.

Behm et al concluded that:

“Generally, a warm-up to minimize impairments and enhance performance should be composed of a submaximal intensity aerobic activity followed by large amplitude dynamic stretching and then completed with sport-specific dynamic activities. Sports that necessitate a high degree of static flexibility should use short duration static stretches with lower intensity stretches in a trained population to minimize the possibilities of impairments”.

In other words if you’re doing an activity that uses long drawn out movements such as martial arts or ballet then static stretches may be useful.  However, if you’re a runner then short low intensity aerobic exercise, followed by dynamic stretches and finished off with a few running specific dynamic exercises is likely to be more important.

In my opinion, stretching is very much a personal thing. I tend to spend 10 to 15 minutes warming up with a combination of light aerobic work followed by dynamic stretches and sports specific exercises. When it comes to static stretches this is very much dependent on how much time I’ve already had away from my wife and kids – If I can get away with it I might spend 5 minutes doing short duration (under 45 seconds) static stretches on all the major lower limb muscle groups.

So to conclude, you can find lots of conflicting views and counter arguments for all types of stretches. If you want my advice, do what feels good for you but don’t spend all your none running time stretching!  In my opinion a good balance between warm up, running, cool downs and strength work is the winning formula.

All the best and thanks for reading,

James

 

Article by
December 22, 2016 at 7:00 am
Charity news  |  Race news

Charity of the Week: Macmillan

At Macmillan, we know how a cancer diagnosis can affect everything and we’re here to support cancer sufferers, their friends, families and carers from the point of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. From help with money worries and advice about work, to someone who’ll listen – we’ll always be there.

With 2.5 million people currently living with cancer we need your support more than ever. By running and fundraising for Team Macmillan in the Brighton Half you will help ensure that none of these people face cancer alone. Our specific charity places in the race have now sold out, but if you already have a standard place, we’d love you to join us.

In return we’ll support you every step of the way – our amazing runners receive:

  • A fundraising pack full of all the resources you need to smash your fundraising target
  • A free Team Macmillan technical running vest or t-shirt, plus iron on letters to customise your kit
  • Access to the Macmillan training zone to make sure you are fighting fit on race day
  • Newsletters to keep you up to date with Macmillan news and activities
  • The best support on race day from our world-famous cheer-points
  • Exclusive access to our hospitality marquee on race day with much needed refreshments and high fives a plenty.

So help us make history and smash our £130,000 fundraising target which could:

  • help run a large Macmillan information and support centre for a year
  • support our cancer support specialists run our Macmillan Support Line phone service for a week, answering 2,807 calls and emails from people who want questions answered, need practical or financial support, or just want to chat.
  • pay for a Macmillan nurse for three years, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.

What are you waiting for? – sign up now!

Article by
December 20, 2016 at 9:32 am
Race news

How to use RockTape

RockTape’s medical director explains how to apply tape to help banish those little running niggles we all get every now and again. On race day, RockTape will be in race village on hand to tape up any niggles you might have.

Simple RockTape Applications for common aches and pains

A lot of folk involved in kinesiology taping will tell you that tape should only be applied by a super-special, highly trained, jedi tape ninja. (Actual title may vary).  They will discourage athletes and members of the public from even attempting to self-tape. I don’t really agree with any of that – and bear in mind I am physiotherapist, tape instructor, and tape company medical director!

I think that in many situations, many people can and should consider self-taping. However, there are some caveats and exceptions that I will mention. First and most important: if you have a pain that is any of the following you should see an experienced, competent therapist/medic.

  • You have a pain you rate as strong or severe (on a scale of 0-10: 6 or above)
  • You have a pain which doesn’t stop or become mild (under 3/10) in any position
  • You have a pain which is worsening despite resting it.

Self-taping is best suited to those little niggles, aches and pains.  The ones that don’t exactly stop you in your tracks but nonetheless stop you moving freely, playing your sport, standing at work.  If you are anything like me, and 95% of the world, you know the kind of niggles I mean.

Now before you grab a roll of RockTape and get sticking there are a few things you need to know to ensure you get a safe, effective, lasting application.

THE GOLDEN RULES

  • Round all ends of tape: This is not just a cosmetic thing to make your tape look sexy and cool (although it will help with that). The real reason is to remove the sharp edges which can easily catch on clothes etc.
  • Apply ends of tape with 0% stretch: Important one this. In order to stop the tape popping off when you move, or worse irritating your skin, make sure that the last few cm of tape is applied with no stretch at all.
  • Avoid handling the glue side of the tape: There is no need to put your fingers on the glue side of the tape, every time you do you leave a little grease behind and weaken the glue. It’s not the end of the world if you do; but try to avoid it.
  • Rub tape all over to activate: When you lay the tape on your skin it will look and feel like it is well stuck. But unless you rub it all over it will easily lift away from the skin. By giving the top side of the tape a really good rub all over you create a little friction and cause a chemical reaction in the glue making it stick really well.
  • To watch a little video of these tips see here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIbmiaNBKsk

SIMPLE SELF-TAPING

This is our X marks the spot application: it’s a really easy, simple method that can be used to treat loads of aches and pains in just about every body part.  It takes just 3 simple steps:

  1. Put the tissue on stretch
    Get your body into a position that stretches the muscle, tendon or joint that you want to tape. This is usually pretty straight forward, if in doubt just find a position that stretches the skin tight. The chances are this will also have stretched the tissue under it. What is really important is that as you apply each piece of tape you are in this stretch position.
  2. Apply fibre tape
    The tape goes on in line with tissue fibres. Apply one end first (with no stretch at all on the tape). Peel the backing paper away and lay the tape without adding or subtracting stretch. Lay the final few cm with no stretch at all
  3. Apply decompression tape
    This tape is applied perpendicular or oblique to the fibre tape. The 2 bits of tape should cross directly over your sorest spot, band-aid/plaster style with the paper torn in the middle, the tape stretched 40-80%. Lay each end with no stretch at all

That’s it! Rub the whole thing thoroughly all over to make sure it’s well stuck.  It takes about 20 minutes to reach full adhesion, so make sure you wait that long before you get too vigorous with your movement!

You can also find a bunch of ‘how to’ video clips here: http://rocktape.net/how-to-use.html

Here are some examples:

picture2

Hamstrings taping

picture1

Quad taping

picture3

Calf taping

 

picture4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article by
December 15, 2016 at 5:45 pm
Charity news  |  Race news

Charity of the Week: WaterAid

As a runner you rely on water to keep you hydrated and healthy when you run. Imagine if you had to walk for hours every day to collect the water you drink and you knew this water could make you ill. This is a daily reality for 768 million people globally. WaterAid believe everyone, everywhere can have clean water and sanitation by 2030.  Watch Grace’s story in this video:

Want to make a difference and run the 2017 race for WaterAid? Join the WaterAid team today.

 

 

 

Article by
December 8, 2016 at 9:09 am
Charity news  |  Race news

Charity of the Week: Rise

Over the next few weeks we’ll be profiling our headline and four Pier partner charities. This week, our Charity of the Week is RISE.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone of any social background, age, gender, religion, sexuality or ethnicity. It could be happening to someone you know. RISE runs a helpline, refuges, offers counselling, financial and legal advice, and specialist support for children and LGBT support. In 2016 over 300 runners chose to run for freedom from domestic abuse and raised over £70,000. This was RISE’s single largest fundraising event and the money could help fund its Helpline for a whole year.

Join Team RISE here

 

 
Watch the video to see RISE runners at last year’s Vitality Brighton Half Marathon.

Article by
December 1, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Race news

Charity of the Week: The Sussex Beacon

Run with #TeamBeacon in the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon 2017, and help The Sussex Beacon continue to provide specialist care and support for people living with HIV. 

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In 2016 we had over 250 #TeamBeacon runners hit the start line of the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon, raising a record breaking amount of over £35,500 for The Sussex Beacon!

Running a half marathon is an incredible challenge, and running for a good cause gives you extra motivation to train and reach that finish line! The £150 we ask each Team Beacon runner to fundraise, allows The Sussex Beacon to continue providing our vital services which promote independence and improve health and wellbeing.

Our wonderful Team Beacon runners receive:

•    A technical Team Beacon running vest
•    Access to the primary positioned marquee by the start/finish line
•    Invitations to Team Beacon training runs in Brighton.
•    An invitation to a Team Beacon vest collection and social evening in Brighton
•    A Team Beacon fundraising pack.
•    Support and guidance from our challenge events fundraiser.
•    You will be a vital member of the biggest charity team at the race!

Joining Team Beacon

You can enter here. Choose The Sussex Beacon Charity Entry and follow the steps.

Download our helpful Fundraising Guide which includes: a letter from our CEO, fundraising and JustGiving tips and guidance, a printable sponsorship form, a fundraising planner, and a competition sheet.

Once you have signed up, you may want to set up a JustGiving page so you can start fundraising! Just click https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/sussexbeacon/teambeacon to see our Team Beacon Campaign and hit ‘Fundraise for us’ to set up your own page and join the campaign.

Save the date! Pop along to the Old Ship Hotel, Brighton, on Friday 27th January 2017 to meet your fellow runners, share complimentary refreshments and collect your Team Beacon technical running vest.

Any questions? Contact our Challenge Events Fundraiser, Rosie Hemming on rosie.hemming@sussexbeacon.org.uk or 01273 694222.

Now all that’s left to do is train and fundraise – good luck!

Article by
August 5, 2016 at 12:21 pm
Race news

Last chance to enter our Sporting Summer Prizedraw

brighton-half-prizedraw

 

Over the past two weeks, we’ve been holding a special Sporting Summer Prizedraw, with chance to win some brilliant prizes from our 2017 race partners. And this weekend is your last chance to be a part of it!

We have some great prizes to give away – to be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is be entered into our 2017 race. Everyone who has entered the race up to midnight on Sunday 21st August will automatically be entered into the prize draw. Check out our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to see the prizes up for grabs.

Prizes include:

  • 2 x tickets to Brighton’s Theatre Royal, plus travel within the Brighton & Hove boundary courtesy of travel partner City Cabs
  • A night’s stay for 2 at our hotel partner The Grand Brighton
  • A 3-course meal for 2, plus Prosecco and coffee at our restaurant partner Skyfall
  • A Runner’s MOT, hour’s sports massage and post-race massage from our sports therapy partner, Sundial Clinics
  • A bundle of RockTape goodies including 6 rolls of tape, 3 sets of Rock Balls and 1 Rock Roller from our sports taping partner RockTape
  • A £30 voucher from our Youth Race partner Nick Rivett Sports
  • A runner’s hamper packed with running goodies from our event management partner, E3 Group
  • A technical running T-shirt from one of our Corporate Relay partners, McKenzie Associates
  • A money-can’t-buy VIP Brighton Half Marathon package including access to our VIP marquee on race day with all the refreshments you could need, a 2017 hoodie and T-shirt, iTab, and chance to start the race in the front pack
  • Exclusive Brighton Half 2017 hoodies & T-shirts

Simply sign up to the 2017 race before 21st August to be entered into the prizedraw

enter now button light blue


Terms & Conditions here.

 

Article by
August 3, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Race news

Miss it, miss out

miss-it-miss-outWith summer in full swing (most days), places for next year’s Vitality Brighton Half Marathon are selling fast. If you’re keen to enter the race via a standard place entry, now is the time to do it before sell out – you can enter the race here. After sell out, the only way to get a place is via a charity place.

Our famous Youth Race will also be opening very soon, a chance for young runners aged 7-17 to experience the buzz of race day and run one mile on the course of the main half marathon route. The Youth Race will be opening for registrations soon, so keep an eye out if your child or someone you know is keen to take part.

 

Article by
June 15, 2016 at 12:41 pm
Race news

Standard places closing soon

Keen to sign up for our 2017 race next February? Standard pricing closes at the end of June, so if you haven’t yet entered, now’s the time to enter before the price hike.

The race date for next year’s race is 26 February 2017. As well as standard entry, you can also choose to enter via a charity place and raise funds for a cause close to your heart. Take a look at our charities page to see our partner charities so far.

seaside

 

Article by
April 1, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Race news

2017 entries now open!

We’re been asked by lots of runners when we’re opening the 2017 race, and we’re happy to announce that the Vitality Brighton Half 2017 is now open for registrations. You can sign up here.

Sign up for the 2017 Brighton Half Marathon

Race date

The race date for your calendar is Sunday 26 February 2017. This year we have a special early-bird pricing offer for runners who sign up before 30th April, so if you’re keen to join us next year, get your spot soon.

Last night we unveiled the race date at our launch evening at The Grand Brighton. See a few photos from the night on our Pinterest page.

Whether you’ve run the race before, or this will be your first ever half marathon, we hope to see you on the start line of the 27th Brighton Half next February!

 

 

 

 

Article by
February 29, 2016 at 10:48 am
Race news

Race day results and photos now live!

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…

Article by
February 26, 2016 at 9:16 am
Race news

Common questions ahead of race day

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:

  • Park and Ride e-vouchers
  • Our pacers
  • The baggage facility
  • Missing or lost race numbers

We look forward to seeing you on race day!

 

 

Article by
February 15, 2016 at 6:17 pm
Race news

Staying healthy in the lead up to 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.

MassageMassage 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!

Article by
January 25, 2016 at 3:46 pm
Charity news  |  Race news

‘Hat challenge’ runner Sara to run the Brighton Half 2016

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!

Day 356

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.

Day 195How 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

Article by
January 18, 2016 at 6:37 pm
Race news

Olympic champion Sally Gunnell to start the race

Sally GunnellIn 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!

 

 

Article by
January 11, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Charity news  |  Race news

Charity places closing soon

take-part

 

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.

Article by
December 16, 2015 at 6:45 pm
Race news

Runner recipes: Monkfish, Tender Stem Broccoli & Brown Pasta

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.

Runner recipes: Monkfish

 

Monkfish, Tender Stem Broccoli & Brown Pasta

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!

Article by
at 6:45 pm
Race news

Runner recipes: Chicken Piri Piri

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.

Runner recipes: Chicken piri piri

 

Post-Run Chicken Piri Piri

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

Article by
November 5, 2015 at 4:17 pm
Charity news  |  Race news

Get bidding for a VIP Vitality Brighton Half Marathon package!

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:

  • 2 x places in the Vitality Brighton Half Marathon
  • Access for 2 runners and guests to the VIP Marquee, situated right next to the start/finish line
  • The opportunity to start the race at the front, with the elite runners
  • 2 x Vitality Brighton Half Marathon T-shirts and hoodies
  • A Sundial Clinics package featuring a post-race massage, a Runner’s MOT with a physio, 1 x foam roller and 1 x cold pack to get you in shape for the 13.1 miles ahead.

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!

Article by
September 23, 2015 at 4:39 pm
Race news

20% off all Spa Day Packages at The Grand Brighton

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.

  massage20% 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.

 

 

 

 

Article by
at 4:24 pm
Race news

20% off at Sundial Clinics for all VBHM 2016 runners

sundial_65 copyWe’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.

Article by
August 28, 2015 at 10:55 am
Race news

Six months to race day!

6 months

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.

enter now

 

 

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.

 

Article by
August 18, 2015 at 10:16 am
Race news

Youth Race now open!

 

Youth Race_900

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:

  • 7-10 years old
  • 11-12 years old
  • 13-14 years old
  • 15-17 years old

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.