In terms of the route the toughest of the elevation comes at the very start of the race. The 2nd half of the race is mainly along the seafront and then into Hove. As with any marathon you should have a clear pace strategy in mind and it’s important to stick to that.
If you’ve done the mileage in training then that pace should feel comfortable for the most part. It’s when you hit 20 miles (32km) that the real race begins and you might start to feel fatigued. This is when you’ll need to dig deep.
Those latter stages will be made easier by a well planned fuelling strategy and making sure you are hydrated. 30-60g of carbs per hour is the recommended amount, so make sure you take fuel on during your marathon.
Try to stay relaxed and enjoy the experience. You got this!!
I’ve yet to do the Brighton marathon. I was entered into the 2023 but injury struck and I may look to make it my goal event for 2025 all being well. I’ve heard good feedback in terms of the excellent support on the route.
The route was changed in 2023 and the race now starts at Preston Park and ends at Hove Lawns. The race provides kit bags that will be taken to the finish line where you can enter a spare pair of shoes and change of kit.
There will be 8 start waves depending on your predicted finish line. Within these waves you will find the pacers. These range from 3:00 right up to 7:00 hours. They are generally staggered at 15 minute intervals eg 4:15, 4:30 and 4:45, so plenty of opportunity to tuck in with a pacer group.
Planning your travel is important and roads in the city will be closed from 6:00am. There is a Park and Ride option or you can opt to travel by train (check times and potential delays first). Alternatively finding accommodation in the city is an option, although be prepared to pay a premium with rooms in high demand.