Run to the Sea (2023) by singer-songwriter Rich Downes, which appears on the event website, isn't the only musical connection with the 50K ultramarathons by Ultra Violet Run, at least not according to Race Director Chris Donald, who is a bit of an ABBA enthusiast!

This year marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA winning the Eurovision Song Contest on 6 April 1974 at Brighton Dome and Chris is determined to ensure we don't forget that epochal moment in popular music culture as he lines up a few ABBAsolutely fabulous running puns... 

The next Ultra Violet Run event is Run to the Sea Brighton Ultra on Saturday 4 May 2024 and Chris hopes it won't be too 'Muddy, Muddy, Muddy' as 'The Winner Takes It All'. Perhaps you'll reflect on the song that launched ABBA way back in 1974 – 'Where's the Loo' – or will you read this and think 'I Have A Dream' to run further than before to become a 'Super Trouper'?

Whether you are a front runner, tailender, or perhaps the 'Man In The Middle', everyone is welcome at Ultra Violet Run events. As it says on the website, Run to the Sea Brighton is: "So much more than a marathon. A challenge that will definitely stretch you...but won't break you".

Run to the Sea Brighton is the first of Ultra Violet Run's Ultramarathon Series for 2024 and the youngest race, inaugurated in 2021 with 275 finishers in just over nine hours. In 2022 there were 365 finishers and last year another 300 runners beat the 10 hours cut-off time on the spectacular, fully waymarked route across the South Downs National Park from Christ's Hospital School near Horsham to Hove Lawns – with a total distance of 50K/31mls and 2,271 feet/692 metres elevation gained en route.

Ultra Violet Run also promotes Round Reading UltraMarathon 50K (27 July 2024) and Run to the Sea Bournemouth 50K Ultra (5 October 2024) and race reviews praise the enthusiastic marshalls, clear route marking, checkpoint and finish line provisions, awesome bespoke event medals, sensible pricing and optional extras.

For full details visit the Run to the Sea Brighton website here.

Previous event results are available at the runABC South race listing here.

Photos courtesy Chris Donald of Ultra Violet Run on Facebook