Brighton Marathon

A Practical Runner’s Guide to the Course, Conditions and Fuelling for a Fast Day by the Sea

Everything You Need to Know Before Race Day

The Brighton Marathon is one of the UK’s most scenic and atmospheric city marathons. Starting in Preston Park, it winds through the heart of the city before opening out onto the iconic Brighton and Hove seafront, finishing back on Madeira Drive in front of packed crowds.

Brighton is a race of two halves.
The first half is rolling, testing and demands restraint.
The second half is flatter, faster and rewards runners who have paced and fuelled sensibly.

Many runners underestimate Brighton because of its seaside setting. In reality, the early hills, exposure to coastal wind, and mental challenge of long seafront stretches make it a race that requires patience and good decision-making.

There is also a strong emotional element. The crowds are loud, the setting is uplifting, and expectations can run away if you let them. Managing your head is just as important as managing your legs.

This guide is built around what runners who have completed Brighton tend to say afterwards.
What worked.
What caught them out.
What they would do differently next time.

Key Facts at a Glance

Distance is 26.2 miles
Start location is Preston Park, Brighton
Finish location is Madeira Drive
Terrain is road with early hills and a flatter second half
Course includes an early out-and-back and long seafront sections
Weather is coastal and can be windy, even on calm days
Field size is around 15,000 runners
Crowd support is strongest at the start, city centre, seafront and finish

Brighton suits runners who can stay patient early and capitalise later. The biggest challenges tend to be early pacing on hills, managing effort into headwinds, and staying mentally engaged on long flat sections.

View our Brighton Marathon Course Guide or if you’d like a deeper dive into fuelling strategies, carb targets and pacing guidance, you can read the full Mountain Fuel Road Marathon Nutrition Guide