After the success of this year’s Brighton Marathon, Lottie Donegan — one of our Sports Journalism students — gives us their thoughts on this year’s race. Read Lottie’s review below …
“It looked like a marathon but sounded like a street party” said Kaselle Lee, a 24-year-old student from Brighton. From the thump of the drums kicking off the race to the spectators holding their signs high whilst dancing on the pavements, the Brighton Marathon felt more like a festival than a running race. The 26.2 miles became an experience as the costumed runners high-fived the kids and strangers cheered everyone on from the sidelines.
With every new wave of runners passing, the crowd along the street seemed to grow louder and larger as the race became more exciting. The line of spectators ran from the starting line at Preston Park to the finish at Hove lawns. Some would say this is all about athleticism but others say it’s the atmosphere. The music stages, the charity cheer zones, and very thoughtful signs make it clear that Brighton knows how to throw a marathon like no other city.
Lauren, a first-time spectator, said:
“It has been the only marathon where I have wanted to run along dancing the sidelines with the runners.”
Brighton’s creativity showed up in the signs, with a variety of slogans like: “Run like your ex is behind you,” “run if you think I’m pretty” and the classic, “I would have gone halves on Ozempic with you,” fitting in with the modern times, which made the runners laugh as they shot past.
However, it’s not just the runners and spectators preparing months in advance, the whole city embraced this weekend-long celebration. The Beach Hut Cafe along the seafront had additional staff on-hand to ensure they were ready for the big day. And in the city centre a group of singers had formed a choir, known as SHE Choir, who provided beautiful songs as runners reached the five-mile mark.
Even local universities got involved, with Brighton hosting a tent at the finish line to showcase their athletes. Hotels had filled up, the pubs spilled over, and the streets felt electric with energy. For many Brighton residents, the marathon is not a day to stay at home but a reason to go out and celebrate.
Since its launch in 2010, the Brighton marathon has grown into one of the UKs most loved long-distance events, second only to London. The 2024 Brighton Marathon saw more than 11,000 finishers and thousands more in spectators and volunteers. But this electric atmosphere is not for nothing, it’s a fundraising powerhouse. As of the 7 of April, the event raised 1.5 million for charity with 46,043 donors and 4,598 fundraisers. Nikki Swannell, the top fundraiser, raised an impressive £5,170 for No To Dog Meat. Nikki said: “I am so passionate about helping and raising as much money as possible and raising so much awareness for my charity that I think I’ve gone a little mad.”
For the city itself, the marathon provides such an economic boost but if you ask any participant, supporter, or volunteer they will say it’s not about the numbers it’s about the city coming together and supporting those involved.
