Battle to host Sussex Marathon

Supported by TL Sports Events, the 26.2-mile run will start and finish in the town, and take in some of the scenic nearby countryside in between.

Greg Cahill, general manager of TL Sports Events, said: “We are welcoming competitors from all across the UK and it looks like it will be a great first event for the area.”

The action will begin at Battle Sports Centre from 8.30am and the runners will head towards Catsfield before passing The Powder Mills hotel and returning through Battle.

They will then take on the challenging roads into the countryside to Ashburnham, eventually returning back to the sports centre for the finish. The entry limit of 500 was reached several weeks ago.

“Originally we were going to make it a little bit bigger,” continued Cahill, “but because it’s the first event we’re keen to keep it relatively small for a marathon and see how it goes.

“Battle’s just a fantastic part of Sussex that I don’t think many people know about really and it will be nice to put it on the map a little bit.”

Road closures will be in place in the area, specifically Battle High Street from 8.30–9.45am and Penshurst Lane from 9am-3.30pm. Access will be given to residents only during these times.

The Sussex Marathon team has worked very closely with the local authority and Sussex Police to ensure the safety of all competitors and minimal disruption to residents, businesses and visitors to the area.

“Definitely the plan is to make it an annual event,” added Cahill. “Just because of the overwhelming response that we’ve had, I think it’s going to enter into the marathon calendar as a challenging race and something different. It’s not the generic flat course of Brighton and London.”