The Brighton MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (322 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Paul Went
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great Atmosphere, great race, great fun!!!
In full: After the shambolic Half marathon in brighton 2 months previous (wrong distance), i was not expecting much from the marathon. But boy was i wrong, great buzz and atmosphere from runners and spectators, and even the marshalls. Quite a quick course (even I managed 03:44), and enjoyed the whole route. I personally loved the dreaded road to hell, as it was a good time to dig deep and pick the pace up. Will I do this next year? Of course, even if i get into London the week after - I'd do both!!! Thanks Brighton!
Date of review: April 17, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: crazilegs
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Superb!!
In full: Love this race
Fautless organisation, fantastic crowds, fast course this event keeps getting better and better.
I've already signed up for next year, no poncy ballot and waiting to hear in October - I'm in!
Date of review: April 17, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Nic E
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic marshals and great crowd support - welcoming for first-timers and more experienced runners alike. Pity about the hills and the power station
In full: This was my first Brighton, my third marathon. As with any event, there were a few hiccups in organisation - I was a bit worried in advance, as no emails arrived after the first one confirming I was in (even though I checked more than once that I was registered to receive email updates) and my race pack never arrived. However, the race pack was sorted out in minutes at the expo (by friendly and encouraging staff) and the organisation generally at the event was very slick.
The start area seemed to work well - although, as ever, there were not enough loos. It really is a shame that the abiding memory of the start of every race for runners is standing cold and shivering in a loo queue (while announcers are telling you to hurry to start).
The signs over the road in the first mile were a nice witty touch (although the one that says "it's all downhill from here" is a big fat lie).
For me, the course was too hilly - and could do with some entertainment or something to alleviate the Road to Hell section - those 2 aspects together would put me off doing this race again. I also agree with other posters that the mile markers were either easy to miss (i missed several of them) or seemed in the wrong place. Had I not had my garmin, I would have found this demoralising.
The water pouches were great when they worked - unfortunately, sometimes they hadn't been opened fully and were unusable on the run. It could then be another 2 miles before the next water station - a long way away had it been a hotter day. (They did also seem to have an odd taste).
The CLIF shots worked well and were thoughtfully placed each time just before a water station.
One thing that really stood out for me was that all the volunteers along the course, from the start through to the finishers' area, were excellent. Unfailingly energetic, kind, encouraging and attentive - they were incredible and worked really hard to make everything as easy as possible for us. They must have been more exhausted at the end of the day than we were. It was also lovely that they would spot your name on your shirt and encourage you on by name as they handed you the water or CLIF shot.
At the finish, for some reason there was a gantry over the road which looked like it was the finish but there were actually a couple of hundred yards still to go. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to think the end was in sight, before then spotting the actual finish further down the road. Luckily, by that point the crowds virtually carry you to the finish anyway.
The process at the end was really well-thought through I thought, with everything handed out to you in the order you needed it, and the marshals unfolding the foil blankets and wrapping them around you. How great too to get a t-shirt that fits, rather than the usual XXXL. Bag retrieval was also efficient - I must have waited less than 30 seconds.
Finally, a thank you to the people of Brighton who seem to have taken this event to their hearts - I think their encouragement (and some help from the ever marvellous St John Ambulance) got me through the last 2 miles and returned a smile to my face after a pretty gruelling few miles. The last few hundred yards has you running to what sounds like hundreds of people cheering you on to the finish.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Kerry Manning 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic Race
In full: Nothing will compare to my first marathon experience at Brighton. It was an incredible day. The event was so well organised, absolutely nothing to complain about. The atmosphere was incredible, from the moment we arrived in Preston Park there was a real "buzz". Virtually the whole route had spectators cheering and urging you on. There were plenty of water and fuel stations along the course and no shortage of loos either. Well done to the organisers. This was the best race I've ever run and it will be hard to beat.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Ben Walmsley 4
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: An excellent race for all abilities and a terrific atmosphere. Would have no hesitation in recommending this race to runners of all abilities.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: NICK LANGELAND
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: absolutely fabulous!
In full: my first venture into a full marathon and i doubt i could of found a better race to break that cherry. everything from picking up my race pack, getting to the park and ride and start line was faultless. the course was great, a few gentle hills in the first few miles then flat to downhill. 19 to 23 miles around the power station are a bit bleak but this is soon blown away by a fabulous final 3 along the sea front getting cheered along all the way by the best crowds ever! to date my best running experience that will take some beating!
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Keith Owen 2
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Slight hill on your way it to 9miles then back down to the flat, out and backs
In full: 2nd time for me . Didn't risk park and ride this year as last year was a bit of a mare . So got dropped off just down the road and walked . Great course ,on the hilly side on the way out if only a slight one. My mate did London last year and said this one was a harder course b,ut both of us got PB , so it can't be that bad. : )
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sleek Lemur
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Superb - a real "event"
In full: Third BM was again a well organised and very friendly event. The volunteers were all v cheery and there was masses of support from the masses. I thought the water pouches were a great idea. A couple of squirts straight down your throat. The one gripe - MUST GET MORE LOOS at the start !! I did London as well last year and - hear this - BRIGHTON IS BETTER ! Even down to the superb quality and well-designed tee shirt, rather than the one-size cheapo effort from the London. Do this marathon; you'll love it.
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Brenda Morris 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brilliant atmosphere and support but more long 'gentle' hills than you expect in a marathon for the first half!
In full: Very local friendly race, well organised and loved the new tear and drink water packets. Some long slogs of gradual up hill can take it out of you especially if wind is in your face but last half of race was more comfortable and an uplifting finish with crowds cheering all the way! Brighton is a friendly place and it showed it this weekend, hotel was great too giving us a surprise champagne reception early evening (Blanch House) 2 mins from finish line! Compared to the nightmare organisation of Berlin last year this was a welcome return to UK racing for us!
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Vince O'Neill
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Supreme Marathon! :)
In full: Absolutely seamless organisation, the effort of the marshalls and all involved is unrivalled and thanks must go out to all of them. Glorious weather, incredibly supportive crowds and smashing my pb made this an outstanding day. Well done to all involve, see you next year!
Date of review: April 16, 2012
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