Brighton Marathon 2024: Thousands of runners take part in weekend

Some 13,000 people pounded the streets for 26.2 miles across the city on Sunday, with thousands more taking part in the Brighton Miles and 10k too.

While the final figures are still being totted up, with an expected total of some 20,000 runners in all three events it is likely the biggest marathon weekend to date

Runners were spoilt with clear blue skies and sunshine throughout the race though the winds were strong.

The men’s winner Oliver Knowles, 33, from Eastbourne, celebrated taking around 11 minutes off his personal best and winning the race in what was only his second ever marathon.

He ran it in two hours, 32 minutes and 27 seconds.

Brighton Marathon winner Oliver Knowles grew up in Eastbourne (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

“It’s all a bit surreal,” he told The Argus. “I did this last year and it did not go well.

“But it massively blew up today.”

Oliver has run the Brighton Half Marathon for seven or eight years but decided to tackle the full marathon this time.

He said the atmosphere is amazing in the city.

The men’s top three. From left Matthew Alderson (2nd), Oliver Knowles (1st) and James Cook (3rd) (Image: The Argus)

“My favourite part is coming back to Brighton from Ovingdean and towards Hove. The crowds are amazing," he said.

The atmosphere was electric at 9am in Preston Park as nervous and excited runners limbered up for the race.

Nadia Morris, from London, had her friends cheering her on with some cheeky signs. One read: “Outrun the runs.”

The 27-year-old said she ran the race for her mum who died last year.

Nadia Morris, second from right, and her friends (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Chris Cole and Rebecca Nygren, 33, dressed as Sonic the Hedgehog and his friend Tails, were running their tenth marathon together.

The pair have also run marathons in Bournemouth, London and Berlin.

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Asked what his favourite part of the route is, Chris, 39, said: “Church Road in Hove has a party atmosphere. All the residents come out and they’re brilliant.”

From left Rebecca, Chris, Jody and Jason (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

They ran with Jody Green and Jason Flowers, 29, who were raising money for the mental health charity Mind.

Jody, 47, was beginning her first marathon of three in the next month as she is running Manchester next week and London the week after.

Hannah McGowan-Jones, from London, was the winner of the women’s race, her first marathon.

She completed the course in around two hours and 55 minutes.

Hannah McGowan-Jones won the women's race (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus)

“Brighton Marathon was absolutely amazing. I am so glad I did it as my first one,” Hannah said.

“The atmosphere was incredible and it was pulling me around the whole way.

“I couldn’t believe the scenery, about half way you could see amazing sea views from the cliffs.”

Proud family and friends lined the streets from Preston Park to Ovingdean and into Hove, holding banners and chanting messages of support at the runners.

This year was also a first for the wheelchair race. Dale Muffet began the race first at 9.45am with marathon champion Paula Radcliffe waving the flag to signal the start. He finished in two hours and 26 minutes.

London Marathon Events, the company which runs Brighton Marathon, said this was a trial to potentially expand the race to more wheelchair racers in the future.

At the finish line at Hove Lawns, Dale said: “I feel incredible. It is my first marathon and it was awesome.”

As ever, some people went the extra mile, wearing fancy dress to make the challenge even harder.

A rhino, Buzz Lightyear and a man in just his speedos were popular with the crowds.

Joe Carter, event lead for the Brighton Marathon Weekend, said: “It’s been amazing to see so many people getting involved in the Brighton Marathon Weekend – from everyone who took on the Brighton Miles, BM10K and the Brighton Marathon, to all our incredible volunteers and the thousands of supporters lining the streets.

"What we've seen today is a real celebration of the city: fun, vibrant, engaging and welcoming. We're delighted by the way the community has embraced the event once again and are excited to introduce even more improvements for next year's event on Sunday, April 6."