By Ser Resfield.
New route this year and less entrants than usual, but was excited after a years delay. The morning started cold but I soon warmed up, thanks to the 15 miles of undulation! At mile 8 you hit the coast and the route takes you out to Rottingdean with less people lining the streets, but well stocked support stations with water and high 5 gels. Two stations had energy drinks in cups. 25cl bottles of water are a game changer to take to run with you (although this was replaced with cups at two stations). After reaching Rottingdean you make your way back along the coast and arrive back into the centre, to then head back inland into Hove. As a slower runner I was expecting the streets to be empty and remnants of what would have been very refreshing snack on the floor. However, there were 500 runners behind me, and around mile 20-21 I turned into a residential street and a man with two trays of oranges greet me!
The final 2 miles along Hove seafront was hard, with a light layer of sand and gravel under foot. This is a part where the course would have benefited from more marshals as people walked along with little care for the runners. Luckily the last 300-400 metres was barricaded and a sprint finish is possible. I would recommend Brighton for a marathon but don’t enter thinking it’s a flat one! Although it’s not Ashby hills, but it’s also not Prestworld flat as a pancake! Hotels fill up fast and some have limited parking, so plan early. Will I do it again… possibly, would I recommend you doing it, absolutely.