The Sussex Beacon Half Marathon, which will take place in Brighton & Hove on Sunday February 21, has now reached its capacity. 8000 people have now entered the half marathon making it the largest event yet.     

The runners will compete on a course that takes in the city centre and the seafront, Hove Lawns in the west and Rottingdean in the east, to finishing back where it started on Madeira Drive.

All profits of the event go to the Sussex Beacon - a unique centre based in Brighton providing innovative services to meet the changing needs of men and women living with HIV. The half marathon is the major fundraiser for the centre.

With many of the 8000 runners likely to be competing in the spring marathons, the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon is also becoming an integral part of many runners training plans.
 
Also taking place on the day is the Sussex Beacon Youth Race. This gives children aged between 8 and 16 the experience of running on a major road running course. All runners in the Youth Race will  receive a medal for finishing, just like the senior race. Runners will be split in to two age groups. 8-11 years old will run 800m and 12-16 year olds will race over 2.5km. The Youth Race aims to reach those who may not have considered taking part in a race before, or known how to go about entering one.  

This year the Sussex Beacon is to be give recognition to Steve Ovett.  The former Olympic champion and world record holder will be honoured by having the opening mile of the Half Marathon named the “Ovett Mile” after the distance he made famous along with Sebastian Coe in the 1970s and 80s.

On show for the first time will be the Lucozade Sport team of sport scientists who will be offering advice on all kinds of nutrition to people whether they are athletes or not.

There will also be bands lining the course to provide music and designated areas decked with flags and banners.

Anyone interested in volunteering should phone: 01273 645697 or email: halfmarathon@sussexbeacon.org.uk

For more information view:
www.beaconhalf.org.uk