All you need to know about tomorrow's 2013 Brighton Marathon

Thousands will complete the gruelling 26-mile run, while tens of thousands will line the streets urging on the weary legs, and £5 million will be spent in the city.

He said: “I'm delighted to be part of the Brighton Marathon and that I was asked to start the race.

“The race has quickly established itself as one of the most important sporting events on the south coast and it is very gratifying to be part of it.

“Life has been so hectic since I got back from New Zealand, but I was determined to include this in my schedule.”

Since the marathon was founded by Tim Hutchings and Tom Naylor in 2010, it has grown year on year – becoming one of the city’s premium calendar dates.

Tomorrow is expected to be another record-breaking day with perfect running conditions predicted.

RUNNERS’ STORIES

• MARK McFarlane and his daughter Emily will be running in memory of his grandmother, a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service during the Second World War who died in March aged 94.

Mark said: “I took part in the inaugural Brighton Marathon in 2010 on behalf of Blind Veterans UK, when my nan, Joan Gurney, was still alive and the charity was still known as St Dunstan’s. “I can’t say enough about the extent to which the charity supported my nan.

“The Brighton Marathon will be my second marathon but it will be Emily’s first attempt at any distance running. “I’m proud of how she has stuck with it and I’m confident she will go the whole distance and make her nanna proud.”

• A MAN who previously ran 100 marathons in 100 days across Europe for charity will be taking on the Brighton course as part of his 30 marathons in 30 days in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Matthew Loddy, 47, from Hertfordshire started his first marathon on March 23, and this weekend will be day 23 of his gruelling challenge.

• AMATEUR runner and father of two Matt Green is running seven marathons in seven weeks around the UK in honour of his father, who is living with a rare lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

This weekend is Matt’s second week and although he has run marathons in the past, running them back-to-back is a first, as he wanted a challenge worthy of his father.

He said: “The training has been really tough but I’ve never thought of giving up despite the bad weather, and having a bad back and ankle. “Just thinking of Dad and the wonderful people who have sponsored me keeps me going.”

• NATALIE Baynes from Croydon became seriously ill in 2008, a fortnight after completing the London Marathon after a brain tumour was found.

Despite surgeons removing the tumour, a biopsy revealed she had grade four brain cancer and underwent six weeks of radiotherapy – leaving her reliant on wheelchairs and crutches.

In August last year she was given the four-year all clear and is now back running again.

• ASHLEY Wright, 18, from Eastbourne is running for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity after her sister Chelsea was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphona in December 2012.

She said: “When my sister was diagnosed my whole world was turned upside down, she is just 19 and we are 13 months apart.

“She is my best friend and we do most things together.

“The Royal Marsden has not only been great for her but it has helped me a lot too – it’s my way of thanking them.”

• ONE runner will be lining up in his 579th official marathon, and with an average finish time of 3hrs 18mins, is the most prolific 500-plus marathon runner in the world.

Steve Edwards, from Bourton on the Water, ran his first marathon at the age of 18 in 1981 and this weekend is raising money for the Brathay Hall Trust, a charity for disadvantaged youngsters.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2013?

Channel 4

FOR the first time the Brighton Marathon will be televised on Channel 4, Eurosport and Sky, in an hour-long highlights programme.

The programme will be aired on Saturday, April 20, at 7am, on Eurosport one week later and Sky one week after that.

Beach Village

A NEW village area on race day has been positioned on Brighton’s famous beach.

The area will play host to a number of food and drink concessions, deck chairs, a picnic area, big screens and music, and will give spectators the chance to meet some of the event’s sponsors.

The village will be open from 11am to 4pm and will sit adjacent to the finish line on Madeira Drive.

New Elite Start

A NEW elite start line has been introduced for 2013, which will set the runners off from Withdean Park, approximately a mile along from the mass start at Preston Park.

The second start line at Withdean is for the event’s elite runners and those aiming to finish the marathon in less than 3 hours 15 minutes.

Runners from the second start will set off at the same time as the masses and will join the existing part of the course at Preston Drove.

Timings

6.30am – First park-and-ride buses leave all sites for the start.

7am – Changing tents, toilets and concessions open.

7.30am – Music starts at the entertainment stage.

8.30am - Iconiq Shlurp! Mini Mile Races start on Brighton seafront. 9am - Mass and elite marathon starts.

11.10am – First elite runner to finish. 1.30pm – First park-and-ride buses to leave the finish.

Park and Ride

A PARK-and-ride scheme will run from the University of Sussex.

The journey from each site takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Directions: From the A23/A27 junction follow A27 east for two miles and look out for yellow signs to Brighton Marathon Park and Ride.

Return buses will depart from the Brighton Marathon finish line back to the Park and Ride site.

The service costs £20.

Cheer Zones

Preston Circus – Mile 2: As runners take on their second mile, they will be greeted by the band, Silver Sounds. They will be there creating an inspirational foot-stomping experience, motivating runners at the first stage of their marathon.

Gatorade Cheer Zone – Miles 5 and 12: Runners will pass the Gatorade cheer zone twice; once after leaving Lower Rock Gardens as they turn left onto Marine Parade and travel east out to Rottingdean, with the second time on their return journey before reaching the Aquarium roundabout. Here runners will hear some motivational music as they stock up on the event’s energy drinks.

Grand Avenue – Mile 14 and 18: At the bottom of Grand Avenue there will be a stage. The atmosphere here is often electric as it is a great spot for spectators to pitch up for the day and enjoy the music. Standing here means you can see runners three times, in mile 14, 18 and as they make their way along the promenade at mile 24.

Saucony – Mile 21: A new addition for this year is the Saucony Cheer zone, which will be positioned at Carats Café, Shoreham Port. This section of the course has been titled ‘The Road to Hell’ and for the runners it is as bad as it sounds. This is the point where runners ‘hit the wall’ and so they need all the support they can get. This year, Saucony are creating a party atmosphere for both spectators and runners alike with music, entertainment, DJs, give-aways and of course food and drink.

Scope Bus – Mile 25: Scope are the Official National Charity for the 2013 Brighton Marathon and they will have their own party bus, which will be sat at the far east end of Hove Lawns by the Peace Statue as runners are completing their 24th mile. The bus will be blasting out music all day and giving away some charity cheering accessories, so that spectators can help support and cheer on the runners as they pass this point of the course.

Bandstand – Mile 25: The bandstand will be packed full of acoustic music throughout the day, including Hurstpierpoint College’s in-house band. This is a great spot to stand as runners set off for the last mile of their marathon journey, with the added bonus of some music whilst spectators watch and cheer.

Can you spot:

Brett Edwards pushing his son Luke, who has cerebral palsy, in a wheelchair.

Chris Spriggs pushing his uncle, who has motor neurone disease, in a wheelchair.

The Brighton Rocks girls dressed as pink pirates carrying the Jolly Roger. There are 50 of them, so how many can you spot?

Paul Goldstein running with a 9ft, 30lb tiger on his back.

A gorilla and two bananas aka Jordan McCartney, Tim Hanley and Luke Elliot.

Sheila Harburn from Crawley is the oldest competitor at 77 and is running in memory of her daughter, Shirine, who was murdered on a backpacking trip.

Dave Lock, aka Dave the Phone, running as the Green Samaritans phone. l SPANA (The Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) runners Mark Newcombe and Simon Coultard wearing one of SPANA’s ultra-realistic donkey costumes that weighs about 17kg.

Jon Pepper, Brighton’s own elite runner.

Elite Runners

ELITE Biographies – ranked according to personal best marathon times:

MEN

Ben Chebet (KEN), 31, fastest man in the field. 2:09.26, Padua 2011.

Robert Mwangi (KEN), 26. 2:10.04, Prague 2011

Gela Hailu (ETH), 26. 2:10:17, Florence 2011.

Bernard Rotich (KEN), 26. 2:10:18, Frankfurt 2011.

Jon Pepper (GBR, Brighton Phoenix), 24. 2:21:48, London 2012.

WOMEN

Emily Harrison (USA), 27. 2:32:55, Medtronic St Paul Twin Cities 2011.

Alyson Dixon (GBR, Sunderland), 34. 2:34:51, Brighton 2011.

Travel

BUS services in the city will be disrupted between 8am and 4pm. Closure of Church Road (Hove), New Church Road and Boundary Road.

From 8am until 3pm, Church Road and New Church Road will be closed west of The Drive, and the southern part Boundary Road will be also closed. Hove Town Hall and New Church Road cannot be served during this time.

Westbound buses will operate from Palmeira Square via Selbourne Road and Eaton Road to Blatchington Road. Eastbound buses will operate from Blatchington Road via The Drive and Church Road to Palmeira Square.

TRAVEL INFORMATION:

BUSES:
Bus services in the city will be disrupted between 8am and 4pm.
Closure of Church Road (Hove), New Church Road & Boundary Road
From 0800 until 1500, Church Road and New Church Road will be closed west of The Drive, and the southern part Boundary Road will be also closed. Hove Town Hall and New Church Road cannot be served during this time.
Westbound buses will operate from Palmeira Square via Selbourne Road and Eaton Road to Blatchington Road.
Eastbound buses will operate from Blatchington Road via The Drive and Church Road to Palmeira Square.
Route 1 will operate in both directions via Portland Road, Portslade Station and Victoria Road instead of via New Church Road. Route 6 will operate in both directions via Portland Road instead on New Church Road.
Buses from the west turning at Churchill Square
Eastbound buses terminating in Western Road will operate via Montpelier Road, Upper North Street and Regent Hill to the stop at Clarence Square, returning via normal route.
 

Routes 1/1A
From 0700 until 1130, these services will operate between Mile Oak and Churchill Square/Gala Bingo and Whitehawk only.
Routes 2/2A
From 0700 until 1130 these services will operate between Steyning/Shoreham and Churchill Square only.
The section of route to Woodingdean and Rottingdean will be suspended until 1130 (eastbound buses). The first westbound departure from Rottingdean will be the 1241 - alternative services will be available on diverted Routes 14C and 27.
Routes 5/5A/5B
From 0700 until 1130 these services will operate between Hangleton and Churchill Square only.
Until 1030, a shuttle service will operate between Patcham (Mackie Avenue) and Surrenden Road/Loder Road via Braybon Avenue on Route 5, and between Hollingbury (ASDA) and Surrenden Road/Loder Road on Route 5B. Normal services from Patcham and Hollingbury will start to resume from 1030, but until 1130 buses will run only as far as Preston Circus.
Route 6
Normal service, but via Portland Road until 1500 (see above).
Route 7
From 0700 until 1130 this service will operate between George Street and the Clock Tower only. Buses will operate from Brighton Station via Upper Gloucester Road, Buckingham Road and Dyke Road, returning from the Clock Tower via Queens Road as normal
Services to/from the Marina will be suspended until 1130/1200 during which time an alternative service on Route 23 will run every 15 minutes between the Marina and Gala Bingo.
Routes 12/12A
From 0700 until 1130, buses will start and terminate at Gala Bingo, operating non stop between Gala Bingo and Rottingdean via Freshfield Road, Race Hill, Woodingdean and Falmer Road.
From 1130 until 1330, buses will start from/terminate at Churchill Square as normal, but will run non stop between North Street/Old Steine and Rottingdean via Edward Street then diversion route as above.
Normal service will resume at 1330, except that, until 1700, the Sea Life Centre and New Steine stops cannot be served. Westbound buses will operate via Rock Gardens and Edward Street, eastbound buses via St.James's Street and Rock Gardens.
Route 13X
Until 1300, buses will terminate at Churchill Square, serving Brighton Station, then running Non-Stop to Seaford, operating via Dyke Road. A27, A26, and vice versa.
Normal service will resume at 1330, except that, until 1700, the Sea Life Centre stops cannot be served. Westbound buses will operate via Rock Gardens and Edward Street, eastbound buses via St.James's Street and Rock Gardens (stopping at Morrisons).
Routes 14/14B/14C
From 0700 until 1130, buses will start and terminate at Gala Bingo, operating as Route 14C via Eastern Road, Wilson Avenue, Woodingdean, Kipling Avenue, South Woodingdean and Falmer Road.
From 1130 until 1330, buses will start from/terminate at Churchill Square as normal, but will run via St.James's Street and Rock Gardens then via diversion route as above (westbound buses via Eastern Road and Edward Street).
Normal service will resume at 1300, except that, until 1700, the Sea Life Centre and New Steine stops cannot be served. Westbound buses will operate via Rock Gardens and Edward Street, eastbound buses via St.James's Street and Rock Gardens.
Route 21
Until 1130, buses from the Marina will terminate at Queens Park Junction, returning to the Marina via Queens Park Road and the 21B route to rejoin normal route at the top of Manor Hill.
Route 22
Until 1130, buses will run between Woodingdean and Elm Grove/Lewes Road only, continuing in service to/from Lewes Road Bus Garage.
Route 23
Normal service. From 0700 until 1200 additional buses will run between Brighton Marina and Gala Bingo, replacing Route 7. From 0900 onwards these extra buses will be extended via Queens Park to/from Lewes Road Garage, replacing Routes 81A/81C on Queens Park Road.
Route 25
From 0700 until 1130, Route 25 will operate between the Universities and Lewes Road Garage only.
Route 24
Until 1130 buses will run between Hollingbury ASDA and Lewes Road Bus Garage only. Buses returning towards Coldean and ASDA will start from Lewes Road Sainsburys.
Route 26 (and 46 in Hollingbury)
Until 1130, buses will run between Hollingbury ASDA and Fiveways only. Buses returning towards Hollingbury will start from Ditchling Road/Rugby Road.
Route 27
Until 1130, buses from Saltdean will run via Ser. 2 route throughout from Rottingdean to terminate at Gala Bingo.
From 1130 until 1330, buses to/from Saltdean will operate through to Brighton Station, but will run via St.James's Street (eastbound)/Edward Street (westbound) to Gala Bingo then diversion route as above.
Between 0700 and 1300, a shuttle service will run between Westdene and the Clock Tower. Buses will operate from Brighton Station via Upper Gloucester Road, Buckingham Road and Dyke Road, returning from the Clock Tower via Queens Road as normal
Normal through services across the Town Centre will resume from 1300, except that, until 1700, the Sea Life Centre and New Steine stops cannot be served. Westbound buses will operate via Rock Gardens and Edward Street, eastbound buses via St.James Street and Rock Gardens.
Routes 28/29
Buses from Tunbridge Wells, Ringmer and Lewes will terminate at/start from Lewes Road Bus Garage until 1130.
Normal service from Churchill Square will resume with the 1205 departure.
Route 37
Until 1130 a shuttle service will operate between Bristol Estate and Kemp Town Shops, running via Manor Road, Church Place and Eastern Road, then via Montague Place to Kemp Town, returning via normal route.
Normal service will resume from 1130 except that, until 1700, westbound buses will operate via Upper Rock Gardens and Edward Street instead of via the Sea Life Centre.
Route 46 (Southwick)
Until 1130, buses will run between Southwick and Churchill Square only.
Route 48
Until 1130, buses will run between Lewes Road Sainsburys and Lower Bevendean only. Southbound buses will terminate at the Bus Garage.
Normal service will resume from 1130.
Route 49
Services from Portslade will be suspended until 1500 - alternative buses on Portland Road will be available on Routes 2/2A and 46 also on diverted Routes 1/1A and 6.
Until 1130, buses will run between Lewes Road Sainsburys and East Moulsecoomb only. Southbound buses will terminate at the Bus Garage.
From 1130 to 1500, buses will run between Churchill Square and East Moulsecoomb on their normal timetable.
Full normal service will resume from 1500.
Route 50
Until 1130 only a shuttle service between Lewes Road Sainsburys and Hollingdean will operate.
Normal service will resume from 1130.
Route 77
This service will be suspended until the 1130 departure from the Town Centre. For the rest of the day, buses will terminate in Old Steine at stop (Q), and will run via North Street, Upper North Street and Regent Hill to Churchill Square where they resume normal route. Towards the Town Centre, buses will follow their normal route but will terminate in Old Steine.
Route 78
Until 1200, this service will run between Stanmer Park and Lewes Road Bus Garage only. Northbound buses will start from Lewes Road Sainsburys.
Route 79
Until 1200, this service will run between Ditchling Beacon and Fiveways only. Northbound buses will start from Ditchling Road/Rugby Road.
Route 81
Until 1130, this service will run between Goldstone Valley and Churchill Square/Lewes Road Bus Garage and Meadowview only. Buses towards Meadowview will start from Lewes Road Sainsburys.
Normal services will resume at 1130.
Alternative services for Queens Park will be available on Route 23.
City Sightseeing
This Open Top City Tours will not operate at all.
There will be a lot of extra traffic so buses are likely to have difficulty keeping on time even when the roads re-open.

TRAINS:
Southern will be strengthening some trains and adding services to bring competitors and spectators to this weekend's Brighton Marathon.
The Marathon takes place on Sunday 10th April and in anticipation of thousands of runners and spectators travelling to the event by train, Southern will be putting on additional trains and strengthening some services with additional carriages on some routes.
The following amendments will apply to services:

Brighton Main Line
Most services will be formed of 10 or 12 carriages until 2000.
0502 Victoria to Brighton Calls at: Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Purley, Redhill, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges, Haywards Heath, Preston Park and Brighton (arr. 0622).
0547 Victoria to BrightonCalls at: Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Redhill, Horley, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges, Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill, Hassocks, Preston Park and Brighton (arr. 0708).
0620 Victoria to Brighton additional serviceCalls at: Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Purley, Redhill, Horley, Horley, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges, Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill, Hassocks, Preston Park and Brighton (arr.0738).
0632 Victoria to BrightonCalls at: Clapham Junction, East Croydon, Purley, Coulsdon South, Merstham, Redhill, Horley, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges, Balcombe, Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill, Hassocks, Preston Park and Brighton (arr. 0758).
0702 Victoria to Brighton additional serviceCalls at: Clapham Junction, Selhurst, East Croydon, Purley, Redhill, Horley, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges, Haywards Heath, Preston Park and Brighton (arr. 0817).

West Coastway
The following services to be formed of 8 carriages.
0606 Barnham to BrightonThis service will start at Chichester at 0558.Calls at: Barnham, Littlehampton, Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, Portslade, Hove and Brighton (arr. 0655).
0600 Portsmouth Harbour to Brighton additional serviceCalls at: Portsmouth and Southsea, Fratton, Havant, Emsworth, Southbourne, Chichester, Barnham, Ford, Angmering, Goring-by-Sea, Durrington-on-Sea, West Worthing, Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, Portslade, Hove and Brighton (arr. 0725).
0737 West Worthing to Brighton additional serviceCalls at: Worthing, East Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, Fishersgate, Portslade, Aldrington, Hove and Brighton (arr. 0806).
0810 West Worthing to Brighton additional serviceCalls at: Worthing, East Worthing, Lancing, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, Fishersgate, Portslade, Aldrington, Hove and Brighton (arr. 0840).
East Coastway
Engineering works means that the normal service is amended.
The following services to be formed of 8 carriages.
0644 Eastbourne to BrightonCalls at: Hampden Park, Polegate, Berwick, Glynde, Lewes, Falmer, Moulscombe, London Road and Brighton (arr. 0727).
0654 Eastbourne to BrightonCalls at: Hampden Park, Polegate, Lewes, Falmer, Moulscombe, London Road and Brighton (arr. 0737).
0730 Eastbourne to London VictoriaCalls at: Hampden Park, Polegate, Berwick, Glynde, Lewes, Falmer, Moulscombe, London Road and Brighton (arr. 0813).
0812 Eastbourne to BrightonCalls at: Hampden Park, Polegate, Lewes, Falmer, Moulscombe, London Road and Brighton (arr. 0852).

ROAD CLOSURES
For all information on road closures, visit www.brightonmarathon.co.uk/traffic.php.

 For information on specific routes, road closures and train travel, visit theargus.co.uk.

Follow theargus.co.uk from 9am on Sunday for news, pictures and videos, live from the event.

Don’t miss our eight-page picture special on Monday, and our 24-page souvenir supplement and four-page mini-mile special on Tuesday.