'˜Unprecedented' number of runners sign up for Brighton Marathon 2018

Organisers said the take up rate was ‘unprecedented’ for the race on Sunday, April 15 2018.

Entries first opened during this year’s marathon event on April 7, when more than 12,000 people finished the 26-mile race.

Around 5,000 people took part in other events across the weekend, including the BM10k and Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Mini Mile Races.

Marathon organisers said the new event village at Madeira Drive pulled more than 150,000 visitors over the three days, with a similar number calculated to have watched from the route.

Following the ‘largest event to date’ in 2017, organisers are now looking to stage ‘the most developed and improved edition’ in 2018.

Tom Naylor, Brighton Marathon Weekend event director, said: “It was incredible to see such a phenomenal weekend for our city in April, with our highest numbers of runners and spectators enjoying the seafront and celebrating a day of achievement together. We are a relatively young event, with the majority of big city marathons having taken place for decades; so to be able to say we are amongst Europe’s largest is testament to Brighton and Hove and the support we receive from the community.

“The unexpectedly high temperatures that led to a big increase in footfall on race day brought about important learnings for the year ahead. We are already working hard to review, develop, and improve to make the 2018 Brighton Marathon Weekend the best yet for all who take part, volunteer or spectate. We look forward to welcoming thousands of new Marathon runners and their friends and family to Brighton, where we hope we can support them in raising millions for good causes.”

Entries can now be made through more than 250 charities that have places available through the Brighton Marathon Weekend, here.