Report by Claire Greenaway
Jo and I travelled down to Brighton on the Saturday to stay in a hotel on the sea front. As we got closer to the sea front we were greeted with 40mph winds with the winds dropping to 25mph that evening.
We felt very much at home with the winds but preying they would disappear by the morning.
We found a fab independent italian restaurant for our carb dinner before getting an early night.
Race day: we were up and out early as all of the ubers had been booked up. The start was from Preston park which was quiet and calm as we arrived and we took shelter under a pavillion as it was threatening to rain and still pretty chilly.
The park soon filled up with lots of eager runners and we met up with Julie Williams. After a couple of toilet runs, photos, bag drops we were heading to the start area.
We were all in wave 2, great to start the race together. We all had different time goals so wished each other well and we were off.
The first part is out of park and up a steepish hill. But what goes up must come down and so it did for the next few miles.
The course took us round parts of the city and then out towards Ovingdean and then onto Rottingdean. From here we headed back towards the city with a headwind. This first part had lots of out and back where we spotted each other on the way. We also spotted a few coastal striders and previous club runner Jasmine Hawkins.
The 2nd half of the course was on the seafront and then cutting back in land to Portslade.
We finally made the seafront again for the last 1mile with the wind behind us. The crowd was super loud cheering us on.
The course was well supported for most of it with some quiter areas out on the deans.
Many thanks to our supporters Bruce Williams (super loud), Chris, Nikki and Phil for cheering us on. So nice to have a friendly face amongst the crowd.
For me this race was my “lap of victory” although i wasnt sure how it was going to go with the hills and wind. I have been working hard on getting stronger at the gym and being consistent with a running plan which I have never really done over the years of running.
It is now paying off. A new pb and good for age to hopefully get into London which is one of my life goals.
Julie Williams:
Brighton was my 5th marathon and after a disappointing run in London 2025, I was training for a stretch goal of 3.45 for Brighton. I was worried about the cold and very windy day but it was lovely meeting up with Jo and Claire at the start which helped to banish pre race nerves.
Once we got off, I stuck pretty close to my target 8.30-8.35 pace and was relieved that the southwesterly wind didnt impact it. I had a lovely boost waving to other runners I knew and seeing our various great supporters along the route. But after 20 miles I was dismayed to feel my calves cramping – it was a repeat of London. Despite lots of hydration, salt tabs and support socks, I was still really affected. I was determined not to walk the final stretch and managed to do a slow jog for the final miles, with muscle spasms.
It wasn’t pretty but I came through at 3.52, very very happy to have got sub 4, nicely below a good for age time and 2nd in my age category (I think). It was wonderful to meet up with everyone including Nikki and Chris at the end for tea and chat. Brighton is a great course for seeing your supporters and a very friendly place – very much recommend it.
Well done to Andy as he was celebrating his 10th anniversary of his first marathon in Brighton.
Claire Greenaway: 03:26:53
Andy Jones: 03:29:40
Julie Williams: 03:52:29
Jo Kemp: 03:56:18
Russell Jones: 04:00:21
