The event director for Brighton Marathon has heralded the start of a new era for the event.
Joe Carter is gearing up for one of the biggest weekends in the city's calendar as more than one year's worth of planning becomes a reality.
Record numbers are predicted to take to the streets on Sunday for the 26.2 mile route around Brighton, with some 13,000 runners signed up to take part in the race.
"It's really exciting," said Joe. "Last year we had 12 weeks to deliver a marathon whereas this year we have had 12 months - which is much more within our comfort zone.
"So we've been able to chuck ourselves into it and consider it more than just getting the event over the line.
"We're really keen to be able to put our stamp on the event and on the city and build the whole weekend into something which will put Brighton even more on the map.
"We are just getting started with our relationships, not just with the council, but with residents, businesses and the participants."
London Marathon events saved the Brighton Marathon after former organisers Grounded Events went into administration at the end of 2022.
Since then, the organisers of one of the country's largest marathons organised the 2023 race and now the 2024 event.
Brighton marathon is sold out with the highest number of registrations in its 14-year history - and all eyes are on the final runner crossing the finish line to find out whether they break the participation record of around 12,900.
Joe said: "What we've seen in this planning window of 12 months is incredibly exciting and we have some innovative ideas coming to the forefront.
"And whilst we know that we might not be able to deliver on all of those for this year, it is very much a multi-year-project."
A new branding scheme will adorn graphics across the event, including the medals, which have adopted a new colourful design for the first time.
New areas for families, prayer and reflection will also be installed at the start and finish lines - and a new app will mean runners can be reliably tracked by friends and family across the updated route, which keeps runners closer to the city than before.
Joe said his team have worked hard to build a lively atmosphere at the side of the track, with new cheer points, music and sponsors to give runners extra encouragement.
"I've experienced the crowds a couple of times before London Marathon Events took over and I was always impressed by the scale of the crowds and support that was given to all the runners," he said.
The organisers have worked with businesses to swing open their doors for runners and supporters alike - taking the event beyond the road and into shops, cafes and restaurants along the route.
But the biggest area of changes is in the new Brighton Miles event on Saturday, formerly known as the Mini Mile.
"We've taken on board a lot of the feedback based on last year, and one of the main things is that everyone wants to take part," he said.
"So we wanted to create a space where we are still promoting school-age running because we think that it is really important for young people to experience mass participation events, but also you have the opportunity to take part whoever you are."
New waves for people with disabilities, or neurodiverse people will mean everyone gets the opportunity to take part in the one-mile trek around Preston Park.
Joe said: "We are certainly happy with how the event has landed and we are going to see how it goes on the day and fully take on board the feedback to make any tweaks necessary for future years."
Brighton Marathon has also donated £250,000 to the Brighton Table Tennis Club towards a new centre in Moulsecoomb through the London Marathon Foundation fund.
Over the course of the weekend, around 17,000 people will take part in the full marathon, 10k and Brighton Miles.
With the forecast for the weekend showing blustery winds as Storm Kathleen hits western parts of the UK, Joe said teams are monitoring the forecast up until the moment the starting gun is fired.
He said: "It is looking like it is going to be a bit blustery at times, and the rain is lessening in terms of its probability.
"We have a whole host of procedures in place and we have a really strong safety team on the ground.
"Participants should remain sensible in terms of their clothing, hydration, and not doing anything they haven't practised during training."
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