Sell out of Brighton Half Marathon Youth Races

Organisers of the Brighton Half Marathon have confirmed that their Youth Races have sold out.

Youth runners will compete over a one mile distance on Brighton Half Marathon race day, Sunday 16th February 2014.

All 500 places have been snapped up by entrants of all levels and all abilities aged from 7 to 17 years old.

Starting and finishing on Madeira Drive, the Youth Races go past the Brighton Wheel, Sea Life Brighton and Brighton Pier before looping at the Thistle Hotel on King’s Road and heading back towards the finish line.

The start of the first Youth Race for the 15-17 year olds is at 9:15 am, followed by 9:16 am for the 13-14 year olds, 9:17 am for the 11-12 year olds and 9:18 am for the youngest runners aged 7-10 years.

Each runner receives a free technical t-shirt in a colour relating to their age category, and every finisher receives a finisher’s medal and a goody bag.

Prizes will be awarded to the first three boys and girls in each age category.

Emma Greenough, Active for Life Project Manager Children & Young People from the Sports Development Team at Brighton & Hove City Council, is leading the Active for Life Running Challenge which encourages young people to get involved in an 11 week training course, giving them the confidence to take part in, amongst others, the Brighton Half Marathon Youth Races.

Emma Greenough said: “It’s great that these young people can take part in the Youth Races on the Half Marathon Sunday, so they get a feel for the event and finish down on Madeira Drive before the masses come through.

“Hopefully it will inspire these young people to keep on running and maybe one day take part in the half marathon themselves.

“Courses are taking place across the city in Portslade, Hangleton, Tarner, Whitehawk, Hollingdean and at the new Withdean Stadium track, and are targeted to reduce the barriers in local communities and to get young people to take part.”

The Brighton Half Marathon, in its 24th year, takes place in Brighton on Sunday 16th February 2014, with public places sold out in record time.

Event Manager, Paul Bond, said: “The Brighton Half Marathon Youth Races have been growing in popularity over the last few years, and we look forward to seeing 500 young runners on the start line in February.

“Our Youth Races are a great platform for emerging talent and give everyone the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a big race, hopefully inspiring some of them to sign up to the Brighton Half Marathon in years to come.”

The race is organised by and the main fundraising event for The Sussex Beacon, a care centre in Brighton supporting men, women and families affected by HIV.

Public places to the Brighton Half Marathon are sold out but runners can still sign up to run for one of the official charities, including The Sussex Beacon, here.

To find out more, visit facebook.com/brightonhalfmarathon or @BrightonHalf