“It is with deep regret that I am writing to inform you that we have decided to change the date of the Brighton Marathon Weekend 2021 to 10-12 September”, the Brighton Marathon event director Tom Naylor wrote in a detailed statement on the race website and via social media.

Brighton Marathon Weekend 2020 had already been postponed from its original dates of 17-19 April to 18-20 September 2020, then was being re-purposed as a Covid-secure event, titled Brighton Marathon Weekend | The Edit, this month before finally being cancelled and moved onto the virtual platform, like so many other mass participation events this year.

Now the focus for the hard-pressed organisers Grounded Events Company is on planning for the return of a 'full fat' Brighton Marathon Weekend in the autumn next year. With up to 20,000 runners and an estimated 150,000 visitors across the weekend, Brighton Marathon Weekend was one of the largest domestic events to fall foul of the Coronavirus restrictions. Now the 11th pilgrimage to the fabulous Regency seaside resort city of Brighton and Hove is 11 months away and hopefully some certainty can be expected regarding the new dates. 

Tom Naylor's statement highlights the wide impact on the local economy and charities of this difficult decision: “The Brighton Marathon Weekend extends far beyond our participants. The livelihoods of our staff, contractors, suppliers, hospitality industry and more, will be affected. When 20,000 people do not arrive in the city ready to run a race with their supporters, the ripple effect is great. 

“From the bar staff in the hotels who do not pick up extra shifts to the taxi driver who does not take extra bookings. In 2019 It was estimated our event contributed £12 million to the local hospitality economy alone. Events are also a crucial lifeline for charities and fundraising. Since our first event in 2010 we have supported local and national charities in raising over £50 million”.

Last year's Brighton Marathon winners were Peter Le Grice (Bristol & West AC) in a British athlete's course record 2:16:22 and Helen Davies (Ipswich Jaffa, 2:34:11). BM10K produced course records for Nick Goolab (Belgrave Harriers, 28:22) and Steph Twell (Aldershot, Farnham & District, 31:57).

Register your interest for Brighton Marathon 2021 by midday on 4 November 2020 at the new website here

Image courtesy Brighton Marathon 2019 gallery