Almost 10,000 runners took to the streets of Brighton at the weekend, for the Brighton Marathon Weekend which boasted a kids’ race, 10k and the main event.
Our day started with a trip in the British Airways i360 to survey the marathon course, which was a brilliant way to start the day.
Photos by Maria Barrow
The Cancer Research UK ‘Kids and Teens’ Mini Miles got proceedings off to a sun-soaked start in Preston Park on Saturday with over 3,500 children completing a mile around the park, incorporating the start of the BM10k and Brighton Marathon. The competitors and their families created an atmosphere that carried through the weekend, despite the late rain on Sunday.
The BM10k has built a reputation as a fast race and this was proved beyond doubt this weekend. In the BM10k women’s race, an incredible 10 PB’s were set, including one by winner Charlotte Arter, 26, from Cardiff Runners whose time was also a new course record of 32:17:17. Phoebe Law, 21, Kingston Poly, came in second with 33:11:88, also a PB and Faye Fullerton, 33 from Havering a close third with 33:19:57.
Photos by Maria Barrow
In the men’s race, the finish was more closely contested with Luke Caldwell, 26 of Dorking and Mole Valley winning in 29:23:54, followed by Doug Musson, 24, from Nottingham Trent Uni in 29:24:17, a PB for him, and Adam Hickey, 29 of Southend in 29:29:37.
Weather conditions for the Brighton Marathon were perfect and also promised a fast race. Sent on their way at the new time of 9.45am by parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE there was a PB for the men’s winner, returning champion Stuart Hawkes of Tipton Harriers, who finished in an impressive 2:22:32, just ahead of Cardiff runner Dan Nash, who had a stunning race, leading until mile 25 when Stuart closed the gap and went on to win. Nash came in a close second with a time of 2:22:53.8. The pair were well ahead of the competition with third placed Brighton and Hove AC runner Kevin Rojas coming in in 2:23:52.4. following a welcome return to the Brighton Marathon after pulling out last year due to illness.
In the women’s marathon it was also a win for a delighted returning Champion Helen Davis, 38, of Ipswich Jaffa RC, who created and held an impressive lead to come in at 2:38:39. In second was Sarah Webster, 38, who came in at 2:48:39.2, also impressive as she only debuted at the marathon distance in October 2017 in Manchester. In third place was Sara Bird, 31, a stablemate of winner Helen Davis at Ipswich Jaffa in 2:52:18.3.
Photos ©Eddie Bishop and ©Josh Long
Tom Naylor, Event Director, said: “This has been the best Brighton Marathon Weekend yet. The amazing weather and atmosphere in Preston Park on Saturday with the Cancer Research UK ‘Kids and Teens’ Mini Miles set the tone for the weekend. Yet again, the races have been superb with lots of PB’s, course records and amazing personal stories and the City of Brighton came out in force to support. We’re already looking forward to 2019.”
Beverly Sawyers, Vice President, American Express said: “We’re proud to be Community Partner for the Brighton Marathon Weekend. This year’s event has been an amazing demonstration of the power of the Sussex community, including many of my Amex colleagues, coming together to support local charities and individual endeavour. A huge thank you to all the runners, volunteers and spectators who came out in their thousands to line the route and show their support.”
