There's something special about running a marathon by the sea.
With sweeping coastal views, an electric atmosphere and one of the UK's most vibrant cities as your backdrop, the Brighton Marathon has become one of Britain's favourite 26.2-mile races. Whether you're chasing a new PB, ticking off another iconic marathon or taking on your very first marathon for charity, Brighton delivers an unforgettable race-day experience.
Starting in leafy Preston Park and finishing beside the English Channel, the Brighton Marathon combines city landmarks, lively neighbourhoods and miles of their famous seafront. Add in supportive crowds, live entertainment and Brighton's famously welcoming energy, and it's easy to see why runners come back year after year.
Brighton Marathon 2027 at a glance
Distance: Marathon, 26.2 miles (42.195km)
Location: Brighton & Hove, England
Date: Sunday 4 April 2027
Start: Preston Park
Finish: Hove Lawns on the seafront
Terrain: Road
Course profile: Mostly flat with a handful of rolling climbs in the first half before a fast coastal finish.
The Brighton Marathon course
The Brighton Marathon offers the best of both worlds. One minute you're running through the buzz of the city, the next you're heading out to enjoy some of the UK's most scenic coastal running.
The race begins in Preston Park, where thousands of runners set off through tree-lined avenues into the heart of Brighton. The first few miles are full of energy, with crowds lining the streets and helping settle those pre-race nerves
As you make your way into the city centre, you'll pass one of Brighton's most recognisable landmarks – the magnificent Royal Pavilion. From there, you’ll head towards the seafront before continuing east towards Ovingdean, where you'll enjoy panoramic views across the English Channel. This section includes the main climbs of the course, but the good news is they’re behind you by around mile 11. From there, you can focus on finding your rhythm and enjoying the miles ahead.
The second half of the race is all about seaside running. Miles of wide promenade take you west along Brighton and Hove's famous coastline, passing the colourful beach huts, promenade and iconic Victorian seafront. The long straight sections can feel mentally challenging sometimes, but the incredible crowd support and uplifting sea views will carry you through.
Your final miles bring you back towards Hove Lawns, where you'll cross the finish line with the sea behind you and the celebrations waiting. After 26.2 miles, it’s a finish you’ll remember.
Course highlights
Royal Pavilion
One of Brighton's most famous landmarks, the Royal Pavilion's extraordinary Indian-inspired architecture provides an unforgettable backdrop in the opening miles.
Brighton Palace Pier
No trip to Brighton is complete without a glimpse of the iconic pier. Dating back to 1899, it has become one of Britain's best-loved seaside landmarks.
Hove seafront
The final miles take place along the broad seafront promenade, with thousands of supporters cheering runners all the way to the finish line.
Top tips for running Brighton Marathon
Respect the early climbs
The first few miles are not the time to chase your goal pace. Brighton’s early climbs can catch you out if you push too hard too soon, so focus on running by effort and staying relaxed. Save your energy for the flatter second half, where you’ll want to aim for a negative split and finish with enough left in the tank to run your strongest miles.
Prepare for coastal weather
April weather can be unpredictable, bringing sunshine, rain or strong sea breezes - sometimes all in the same morning! Mix up your training conditions where you can, so you’ll feel prepared whatever race day has in store.
Enjoy the scenery
It's easy to become fixated on your watch as you pace yourself, but Brighton offers some of the UK's best marathon views. Take a moment to look up and enjoy the coastline, city landmarks and the atmosphere around you - these are the moments that make race day special.
Stick to your nutrition plan
The flatter second half makes it tempting to pick up your pace too early. Stay disciplined with your fuelling strategy and you'll be in a much stronger position over the closing miles.
Most common questions about Brighton Marathon
Is Brighton Marathon a fast course?
Brighton is widely regarded as one of the UK's quicker marathon courses, making it a popular choice for runners chasing a PB. While it's not completely flat, the smooth tarmac roads and wide seafront promenades all make it well suited to consistent pacing.
As with any marathon, especially a coastal one, the weather can always add an extra challenge, but Brighton's combination of terrain, atmosphere and fast sections make it a favourite among runners looking to achieve a PB.
Is the Brighton Marathon flat?
The Brighton Marathon is considered mostly flat. The main uphill sections come around miles 1, 7, 9 and 11, but they’re relatively short and won’t define your race.
With around 145 metres of elevation gain across the full 26.2 miles, Brighton is a course that’s much more about finding your rhythm than tackling tough hills. Once those early climbs are behind you, the route opens up into long, flat stretches of seafront running all the way to the finish at Hove Lawns.
Is the Brighton Marathon a good marathon for beginners?
Yes. Brighton is widely regarded as one of the best UK marathons for first-time marathon runners.
The course is well supported, the atmosphere is fantastic and the route isn’t as hilly as some other marathon courses. Combined with excellent crowd support and straightforward logistics, it's an ideal choice if you're taking on your first 26.2 miles.
Is the Brighton Marathon difficult?
Most runners would describe Brighton Marathon as a bit of a challenging course, but it’s not one that’s designed to catch runners out. The course has a few early climbs, but the bigger test for many runners comes later, when fatigue starts to build and the miles along the seafront begin to feel longer.
Good preparation, steady pacing and sticking to your fuelling plan will go a long way. With a supportive atmosphere and plenty of runners around you, Brighton is a course that rewards patience and gives you a great chance of enjoying the journey from start to finish.
How many people run the Brighton Marathon?
The Brighton Marathon is one of the UK's largest marathons, typically attracting around 10,000 to 15,000 runners each year, alongside tens of thousands of spectators across marathon weekend.
How can I get a place in Brighton Marathon 2027?
You can secure a place through the public ballot or general entry (if available) or make the miles mean more and apply for a Brighton Marathon 2027 charity place through one of the event's official charity partners. Click here to apply today with a range of amazing causes to choose from.
Ready to take on Brighton Marathon 2027?
From incredible seaside views and high-energy crowd support to a fast, scenic course, the Brighton Marathon offers everything runners could want from a spring marathon. You can apply to run for a charity team here.
