Entry for 12,000 places in Brighton and Hove’s first-ever marathon will open within weeks.

Organisers have begun preparations after Brighton and Hove City Council’s cabinet rubber-stamped plans to host the event on Sunday, April 18, 2010.

The race will be the second biggest marathon in the UK, behind the London event a week later.

It has been timed to attract some of the 100,000 runners who miss out on places in the capital each year.

Business leaders have predicted it will generate more than £3 million for the city economy in cash spent by runners and supporters, while also creating a massive publicity boost.

The exact route has yet to be finalised. Permission is conditional on the course being approved by a safety advisory group, including the emergency services and Royal Sussex County Hospital, which is meeting on Wednesday.

Race organiser Tim Hutchings, a former Olympic athlete from Burgess Hill who has worked on the London Marathon team, said he wanted the Brighton event to be celebrated as a carnival by people in the city. Mr Hutchings, of Grounded Events Company, said: “It’s very exciting. We have spent two years getting to this point.

“We have made some significant adjustments to the course. We want it to be a jamboree event for the city.

“It’s fun, it’s healthy. With the council’s support and with us working hard in unison with the fire service, police and ambulance, we will be able to have an event which is great fun and which will bring thousands of people into the city.

“The financing of the event is a challenge because we haven’t got a sponsor yet.”

The proposed route starts at Preston Park at 9am and finishes on the seafront in Madeira Drive.

Councillor David Smith, cabinet member for sport, culture and tourism, said: “There will be problems – there are negative sides to it, but for the income and publicity it would generate it’s worth that risk.”

Concerns had previously been raised the marathon would create huge disruption on the morning it takes place, particularly because it would need temporary closure of sections of the three main routes into the city, the A23, A270 and A259.

The plans were praised by council members from all parties at the cabinet meeting on Thursday evening.

To register your interest go to www.brightonmarathon.co.uk.