Volunteer registration opens for Brighton Marathon

The Brighton Marathon Weekend takes place from April 13 to 15, hosting the Brighton Marathon, BM10k and Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens Mini Mile Races.

The marathon is now the eighth largest in Europe and second largest in the UK, organisers said.

Tom Naylor, event director, said: “Every year we are truly humbled by the amount of time and energy our volunteers are prepared to give to help make the Brighton Marathon Weekend happen. We couldn’t do it without them. We look forward to welcoming back our regular volunteers and to introducing new volunteers to Team Brighton in 2018.

“In addition, American Express is continuing its sponsorship of the Brighton Marathon Weekend for the next two years. As official Community Partner, Amex will continue as supporting partner for our volunteer programme, and help engage the whole community in what has become one of the region’s biggest annual sports events.”

Beverly Sawyers, vice president of American Express, said: “We’re delighted to once again support the Brighton Marathon Weekend, which has grown significantly since we first became involved. One of the key events in the city’s calendar, it attracts huge visitor numbers and supports hundreds of local charities. As Community Partner we’re hoping to get the whole community behind the event, by participating, volunteering or spectating along the route and cheering on runners.”

There will be a wide variety of volunteer roles available, including at the start of the marathon and BM10k and as part of the Finish Team to welcome the runners across the finish line. Volunteers will also have roles on the BM10k and marathon courses, at the Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Mini Mile Races on the Saturday, and at the Event Village.

Volunteer Janet Roberts, 75, of Littlehampton said: “I have been a volunteer with Brighton Marathon since 2011 and always look out each year for the email inviting volunteers to register, my reply is instant!

"All the team - volunteers, management, team leaders - are all such a supportive, helpful team that to me, it feels like a yearly 'family' gathering, and even more special when we meet new volunteers. We all work hard in our huge array of roles to make the Brighton Marathon Weekend the success it is, and have fun along the way.”

A briefing will be held closer to the event where volunteers will be provided with a Brighton Marathon Weekend Volunteer Briefing Manual containing lots of important information such as key timings, dos and don’ts, emergency protocols, maps and more.