A Team GB athlete is to fire the starting pistol at a youth race at a half marathon.

The 33rd Brighton Half Marathon returns to Brighton seafront, along with a one mile youth race for runners aged seven to 17.

The young athletes will run or jog one mile on Hove Promenade, along part of the main half marathon route.

The Argus: Children crossing the start line in 2019Children crossing the start line in 2019

This year, the race will be started by Brighton athlete and Team GB distance runner Beth Kidger.

She said: "I love the sense of freedom running gives you.

"There’s no better sense of achievement than when you cross that finish line, so I am looking forward to cheering on all the young runners on the day.

"As a child I was heavily into gymnastics with my twin sister Megan.

"When we were about 12, we decided to go along to Crawley athletics club once a week as my brother Joel trained there and I just fell in love with athletics."

The Argus: Beth KidgerBeth Kidger (Image: Brighton Half Marathon)

A spokesman for Brighton Half Marathon said: "The event gives youngsters of all abilities the unique opportunity to experience the buzz of race day.

They will be chip-timed, recieve a technical T-shirt and medal, plus prizes for the first three runners in each of the five age categories."



The race starts at 9am on Sunday, February 26 on Hove Promenade, ahead of the main race start at 9.30am on Madeira Drive.

The Half Marathon also features a wheelchair race, with an earlier start time of 9.27am.

It welcomes around 8,000 runners each year, and is organised by Brighton charity The Sussex Beacon, which provides support and care for people living with HIV.

For more information on how to enter, visit www.brightonhalfmarathon.com/youthrace