2010 Brighton Marathon

[Sweder]

Route details published here.

Not on my radar as clashes with Connemarathon weekend. My initial thoughts on the route are it looks highly contrived, zig-zagging back-and-forth like a some kind of brutal tarmac'd maze. It's pretty much an intestinal expansion of the Brighton Half route. In my humble opinion it lacks imagination and misses a golden opportunity to take in some wonderful downland sections and show off the area in all it's running glory.

No doubt it'll be oversubscribed.

[Seafront Plodder]

Interesting route. Preston Park is big enough to accommodate all the runners/ baggage trucks etc. It takes in The Pavilion (had to really, what else has Brighton got to show off?), but it also goes through some major shopping areas such as London Road and New Church Road, which I assume will need to be closed to traffic.

I think overall it's pretty good as a road marathon route. Only bit I'm not sure about is the blip through Ovingdean @ mile 8.

But as you say Sweder, it clashes with a possible jaunt to de Emerald Oisle.

[marathondan]

Just re-opening Sweder's cheery thread to try and get some local info.

I see that there are over 12,000 entrants, so this is going to be a big event. Has anyone in the local community heard any rumours of how transport is going to be handled? Clearly it won't be possible to drive to the assembly area. I'm thinking of trying to get a hotel somewhere within a 10 mile radius, and then waiting to see the best way to get into Brighton (train? park-and-ride laid on?) when plans are announced. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Meanwhile I'll be off to the Travelodge website shortly...

[Seafront Plodder]

The start at preston Park is easily walkable from either Preston Park station or London Road station.

For this reason, (assuming you'll be getting to the start by train), look for accommodation either north or east of Brighton. That way you won't have to change trains.

Anyone staying west of Brighton (ie Worthing) will have to change at Brighton - unless there are buses laid on.

Lewes is a wonderfully quaint old town with some seriously decent pubs. trains stop at London Road too. Only downside of course is that Sweder lives there.

Northwards look at Burgess Hill or surrounding. trains to Brighton stop at Preston Park.

[marathondan]

Thanks SP, that's all helpful stuff. Fortunately Sweder will be out of the country that weekend!

[El Gordo]

Thanks SP, that's all helpful stuff. Fortunately Sweder will be out of the country that weekend!

He'll be out of most things that weekend...

[marathondan]

Just thought I'd generate some competition for the Connemara thread by setting up a race day roll call. Who's taking part? Can we expect to see any familar faces lining the route? Please feel free to add your details.

Runners
Ladyrunner (team Moyleman)
Moylebird (team Moyleman)
StillWaddler
MarathonDan (aka Gus the gorilla)

Spectators
???

[Sweder]

Just thought I'd generate some competition for the Connemara thread by setting up a race day roll call. Who's taking part? Can we expect to see any familar faces lining the route? Please feel free to add your details.

Runners
Ladyrunner (team Moyleman)
Moylebird (team Moyleman)
StillWaddler
MarathonDan (aka Gus the gorilla)

Spectators
???

Sweder: Mile 10 (ish), the Rottingdean/ Ovingdean turn-about, thence to the finish (probably by the cafe on the left as you enter Madeira Drive).

[El Gordo]

Just thought I'd generate some competition for the Connemara thread by setting up a race day roll call. Who's taking part? Can we expect to see any familar faces lining the route? Please feel free to add your details.

Runners
Ladyrunner (team Moyleman)
Moylebird (team Moyleman)
StillWaddler
MarathonDan (aka Gus the gorilla)

Spectators
???

Sweder: Mile 10 (ish), the Rottingdean/ Ovingdean turn-about, thence to the finish (probably by the cafe on the left as you enter Madeira Drive).

Eh?

Are you pulling out of Connemara again?

[Sweder]

Just thought I'd generate some competition for the Connemara thread by setting up a race day roll call. Who's taking part? Can we expect to see any familar faces lining the route? Please feel free to add your details.

Runners
Ladyrunner (team Moyleman)
Moylebird (team Moyleman)
StillWaddler
MarathonDan (aka Gus the gorilla)

Spectators
???

Sweder: Mile 10 (ish), the Rottingdean/ Ovingdean turn-about, thence to the finish (probably by the cafe on the left as you enter Madeira Drive).

Eh?

Are you pulling out of Connemara again?

Down with mutual exclusivity ...
http://www.connemarathon.com/
http://brightonmarathon.co.uk/

[El Gordo]

Just thought I'd generate some competition for the Connemara thread by setting up a race day roll call. Who's taking part? Can we expect to see any familar faces lining the route? Please feel free to add your details.

Runners
Ladyrunner (team Moyleman)
Moylebird (team Moyleman)
StillWaddler
MarathonDan (aka Gus the gorilla)

Spectators
???

Sweder: Mile 10 (ish), the Rottingdean/ Ovingdean turn-about, thence to the finish (probably by the cafe on the left as you enter Madeira Drive).

Eh?

Are you pulling out of Connemara again?

Down with mutual exclusivity ...
http://www.connemarathon.com/
http://brightonmarathon.co.uk/

Oh. I thought they were on the same day?? Isn't that what all the hand-wringing was about -- which to do? OK, got that completely wrong.

[marathondan]

Oh. I thought they were on the same day?? Isn't that what all the hand-wringing was about -- which to do? OK, got that completely wrong.

Don't worry, we were all confused about that until recently.

I think many people's concern was that 13.1 pints of Guinness, sorry I mean hilly miles, wouldn't be the ideal preparation for a road marathon 7 days later.

[Sweder]

I feel complicit in the confusion. Initially, when BM was first annouced, I thought it was on the same day. Having committed to Connemara I put all thoughts of BM out of my head. Makes no odds though; as Dan says, a tough, hilly half is not ideal prep for a road marathon. Or is it? Hmm ...

Good news is we can all rock up and cheer on the RC team, and Team Moyleman.
I'm very happy about that.

[Seafront Plodder]

I intend to be somewhere along the route to cheer you guys on.

Looking at the route, it'll probably somewhere around mile 16/17, New Church Road, Hove.

How will I recognise you Dan?

[ladyrunner]

I won't be so easy to spot as the Ape!!

I shall be wearing a very purple Martlets vest with white writing along with Moylebird and about another 140 Martlets charity runners!! Shout loud if you see me.

[The Beast of Bevendean]

I'm marshalling in 'Zone One' (start at Preston Park and down to the seafront). I know no more than that, but will cheer you madly wherever I am

[marathondan]

Can any locals suggest one or two reputable taxi firms in Brighton? I've recently discovered that my hotel is 1.7 miles from the start line (uphill) and I was planning to walk. Doable, but would be nice to avoid it if possible. "Reputable" in the sense that they might be able to advise me if such a journey will actually be possible (before the roads close at 0800).

Ta!

[El Gordo]

I posted something similar to this on Dan's sub-forum, and make no apologies for repeating here:

OK everyone, the time has come. Make sure you go to Dan's JustGiving page and show a little appreciation for all the great reports Dan has posted over the months.

And while you still have your credit card out, nip over to The Moylebirds's page and give them a few quid too, Chris (Moyleman) died exactly 1 year ago, and this is a fantastic tribute to a fantastic guy.

Good luck - we will be looking out for all of you, including Fran (SW), who has had plenty of difficulties of all sorts to overcome this past year or two. You are all heroes to me, and I can't wait to hear how it all went.

[marathondan]

EG, thanks very much for the positive vibes and publicity - hugely appreciated.

Apparently it will be fairly warm tomorrow but there's little I can do apart from take it steady and drink lots. Leaving in a couple of hours; got the usual surreal feeling of facing 26.2 miles having not done a major long run for three weeks.

NB if anyone sees a gorilla bearing the name "GUS", that's me. I'm belatedly taking MLCMan's advice from last year and running under a pseudonym. I think people will get the joke.

Good luck everyone!

[Seafront Plodder]

Good luck to all those taking part tomorrow, looks like it'll be a warm one.

Slight change of plan in that I'll more than likely now be with Sweder cheering you on at mile 10ish.