Brighton unveils faster course

A crucial adjustment to the Brighton Marathon course will mean faster times for next year’s event which is also doubling its prize money, organisers have announced.

The change in route comes as the field swings east along the coastal road where a hill on the Rottingdean loop has been taken out making the first half of the race faster than ever. The second half is already almost dead flat.

In 2013 the elite field inaugurated a fast flat start leading to new course records and this most recent adjustment further streamlines the route.

Since its first edition in 2010 course records have tumbled from 2:19:05 to 2:10:46 for the men and from 3:05:20 to 2:28:50 for the women.

The organisers of the race, Grounded Events, expect that the changes will bring the course record down still further to under 2:10.

The course records of 2:10:46 and 2:28:50 were both set this year by Kenyans Dominic Kangor and Eunice Kales.

“We’re constantly working hard to bring our race, in just four years already the best UK marathon outside London, closer to real world class,” said race Founder Tim Hutchings.

“This route change might not be that important to the majority of our participants but it certainly is to the elite who cherish fast times.

“Essentially, the course from 2014 onwards will not have one significant hill and is therefore close to being as good as it can get.

What makes our race unique is still in place – the combination of huge crowds and the seaside backdrop – but what we can now boast as well, is a course that will facilitate optimal running conditions for runners of all abilities.”

Prize money has been substantially revised upward increasing the total open prize pot to $54,500 (£33,700) making Brighton the second most lucrative race after London.

Winnings for first place will double to $6000 for men and women - up from $3000 this year. A time under 2:09 for the men and 2:27 for the women will trigger an extra $8000 bonus.

 Any UK male who succeeds in breaking 2:17 and any British female going under 2:36 will receive £1000.

The fifth edition of the race takes place Sunday 6 April.

The Brighton Marathon is an IAAF Bronze Label event.

Mini Marathon - Saturday 5 April

Entries have been pouring in for the ICONIQ Shlurp! Mini Mile, which takes place on Saturday 5 April instead of Marathon day Sunday 6 April.

Interest in the event has more than doubled for 2014.

This time last year the figure stood at 344 and the year before there were just 59 signed up by the end of October.

“We are delighted by the response we have received since opening entries at the beginning of October,” said organiser Holly Freeman.

“Holding the races on the Saturday means attracting a lot of new runners who will be coming from further afield.

“The more youngsters that come and experience the thrill of being involved in the Brighton Marathon weekend, the more we are doing to encourage an active lifestyle.”

Organisers, Grounded Events, are aiming to hit the 3000 mark after attracting 2000 to compete in 2013.

Despite the new target entries are limited in each age category so it is important to sign up as soon as possible.

Instead of competing over the final mile of the Marathon course as they did in the past, the Mini Milers will experience all the excitement of the actual Marathon start complete with big screen, TV cameras and commentators.

Parents who are taking part in the Marathon on the following day will now have the opportunity to see their children race over an attractive loop course making it easy to follow their child’s progress.

The race is open to anyone between the ages of seven and 17. All competitors receive a T-shirt, kit bag and a medal on finishing.

The Mini Mile Races are partnered with Barnardo’s, a charity supported by Shlurp!

To enter go to: http://www.brightonminimile.co.uk/