- Date: Sunday 12 April 2026: start at 09:45 BST (wave starts from Preston Park)
- Finish: Hove Lawns on the seafront: one of the most celebrated finish lines in British running
- Distance: 26.2 miles (42.195 km): cut-off is 7 hours (16:45)
- Elevation: 477ft (145m) total gain: nearly double London’s 266ft, but all four climbs are done by mile 11
- Highlights: Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier, the i360, colourful Hove beach huts, and 13 live entertainment groups
- Nutrition: Water every 2 miles from mile 2; HIGH5 gels at miles 15 and 21
Brighton Marathon 2026 Route Map
Brighton is a point-to-point course: you start inland at Preston Park and finish on the seafront at Hove Lawns, roughly 2 miles west of where you began. The route loops east through the city centre, climbs up to the clifftop coastal road, swings out to Ovingdean, then doubles back along the seafront all the way to Hove.
It’s a genuinely beautiful course. You get city streets, sea views, crowd noise, and a finish line with the English Channel behind you.
Mile-by-Mile Landmark Guide
Miles 0–1 | Preston Park: Flat Start
You leave Preston Park on flat ground. Use this mile to settle into your pace: don’t go out too fast. The first climb comes almost immediately after.
Miles 1–6 | City Centre Warm-Up
This is where Brighton earns its reputation as a city-centre spectacle.
- Mile 1: Preston Park Avenue: a 20-metre climb over 700 metres. Manageable, but noticeable on fresh legs.
- Mile 1–2: Drop down Preston Drove, then flatten out along London Road.
- Miles 3–4: You’ll pass the Theatre Royal and the iconic Royal Pavilion: expect big crowds here.
- Mile 4: Through The Level park, then a short block-paving section (~200m) at mile 4.5.
- Miles 5–6: St James’s Street: a 12-metre climb that winds up through Kemptown before you turn toward the coast.
Miles 7–13 | Clifftop Coastal Section
This is the most exposed part of the course: and the most dramatic.
- Miles 7–8: Lower Rock Gardens, then up onto Marine Parade: elevated and flat, with sea views opening up to your left.
- Miles 9–10: A rolling section along Marine Drive. The sea views are stunning here; use this stretch to settle.
- Mile 11: The Ovingdean U-turn: a 14-metre climb before the turnaround. The reward is an unforgettable view west along the cliffs towards the city.
- Mile 13 (halfway): You pass above Brighton Marina and begin a steady descent back onto Marine Drive. All four climbs are now behind you.
Miles 14–19 | Cheer Zones and City Sightseeing
The crowd noise picks up dramatically here. This section is flat and fast: let it carry you.
- Mile 14: Aquarium Junction: streets packed with spectators.
- Mile 15: Madeira Drive, then the Charity Cheer Avenue and Brooks Cheer Zone: high energy, loud music.
- Miles 16–17: A flat out-and-back along the Volk’s Electric Railway (the world’s oldest operating electric railway, opened 1883).
- Miles 17–19: Back through the city: Brighton Pier, the i360, the Grand Hotel, and the Peace Statue. Soak it in.
Miles 20–23 | Community Boost Through Hove
The legs are tiring but the crowd keeps giving. You move through residential Hove via Grand Avenue and Church Road: local supporters line the streets and the atmosphere is warm and personal.
Miles 23–26 | The Final Push
- Miles 23–24: Kingsway and Hove Promenade: flat and wide.
- Mile 25: The colourful beach huts appear on your right. If you can see them, you’re nearly there.
- Mile 26: Past the Hove Plinth and into Hove Lawns: cross the finish line with the sea behind you.
Brighton Marathon Elevation Profile
Let’s be honest: Brighton is not flat. At 477ft (145m) of total elevation gain, it’s nearly double London’s 266ft. That said, the course is cleverly structured: all four main climbs are finished by mile 11, leaving 15 miles of predominantly flat running.
Here’s what you’re actually dealing with:
| Climb | Location | Gain | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston Park Avenue | Miles 1–2 | 20m | Over 700m |
| St James’s Street | Miles 5–6 | 12m | Kemptown |
| Marine Drive rise | Miles 9–10 | Rolling | Clifftop |
| Ovingdean U-turn | Mile 11 | 14m | Pre-turnaround |
None of these climbs are brutal in isolation. The challenge is that they come in the first half, when your legs are still fresh but your pacing discipline is being tested. Run them conservatively and you’ll have plenty left for the seafront miles.
Brighton Marathon 2026 Race Day Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday 12 April 2026 |
| Start | Preston Park, Brighton |
| Start time | 09:45 BST (wave starts) |
| Finish | Hove Lawns, seafront |
| Cut-off | 7 hours: finish by 16:45 |
| Distance | 26.2 miles / 42.195 km |
| Terrain | Tarmac roads; 200m block paving at mile 4.5 |
| Bag drop | Available at Preston Park |
| Pacers | 8 waves: 3:00 to 7:00 finish times |
| Entertainment | 13 music/entertainment groups on route |
| Finisher’s reward | T-shirt, medal, and access to Beach Village at Hove Lawns |
Nutrition on Course
| Station | Miles |
|---|---|
| Water | 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12.5, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 + finish |
| HIGH5 Zero (electrolyte) | 7, 15, 21, 23 |
| HIGH5 Energy Gel Aqua | 15, 21 |
The gel stations at miles 15 and 21 are well-timed: you’re past the hills and into the long flat stretch where energy management matters most. If you carry your own gels, the water refill points at miles 4, 7.5, 12, 16.5, and 20 mean you don’t need to carry much.
Tips for Running the Brighton Marathon
These are Brighton-specific. You don’t need generic marathon advice here: you need to know what makes this course different.
1. Treat the hills as a warm-up, not a test. All four climbs are done by mile 11. If you go out hard on Preston Park Avenue because your legs feel fresh, you’ll pay for it at mile 20. Run the climbs at conversational effort and bank the energy for later.
2. Respect the clifftop exposure. Miles 7–13 along Marine Parade and Marine Drive are elevated and open to the sea. On a windy April morning: and Brighton is often windy: this section can feel very different to the sheltered city streets. Wear a thin layer you can tie around your waist if needed, and don’t be surprised if your pace drops slightly into a headwind.
3. The Ovingdean U-turn is psychological, not just physical. The 14-metre climb before the turnaround at mile 11 feels harder than it looks on paper. You’re running away from the city, slightly into the wind, and you can see the road rising ahead. Keep your effort steady, not your pace. The descent back towards Brighton Marina is your reward.
4. Use the cheer zones at miles 14–19 deliberately. The crowd noise between Aquarium Junction and the Peace Statue is genuinely loud. Use it. This is where many runners find a second wind: let the atmosphere do some of the work.
5. Don’t sprint when you see the beach huts. The colourful beach huts at mile 25 are a famous landmark: and a notorious trap. You’ll feel the urge to kick. Save it for the final 400 metres into Hove Lawns. A controlled finish is faster than a blown-up one.
6. Plan your spectator spots in advance. The best places for supporters to catch you multiple times: Preston Park (start), Royal Pavilion (mile 3), Aquarium Junction (mile 14), and Hove Lawns (finish). Road closures make crossing the course difficult mid-race, so plan the logistics before the day.
Celebrate Your Brighton Marathon Finish Line
You’ve just run 26.2 miles through one of the UK’s most beautiful cities. You climbed the cliffs, felt the sea wind on Marine Drive, heard the roar at Aquarium Junction, and crossed the line at Hove Lawns with the English Channel behind you.
That deserves more than a photo on your phone.
Turn your Brighton Marathon route into a personalised print: a hand-crafted map of the exact course you ran, with your name, finish time, and the date. It’s the kind of thing that goes on the wall and stays there.
→ See the Brighton Marathon personalised print
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Brighton Marathon a hilly course?
It’s hillier than its reputation suggests. Total elevation gain is 477ft (145m): nearly double London’s 266ft. The good news: all four climbs (Preston Park Avenue, St James’s Street, the Marine Drive rise, and the Ovingdean U-turn) are finished by mile 11. The final 15 miles are predominantly flat along the seafront.
Where does the Brighton Marathon finish?
The finish line is at Hove Lawns, on the seafront: roughly 2 miles west of Brighton Pier. Finishers get access to the Beach Village area where they can meet family and friends.
What landmarks do you pass on the Brighton Marathon route?
Plenty. Highlights include the Royal Pavilion (mile 3), Brighton Marina (halfway), Madeira Drive and the Volk’s Electric Railway (mile 15–17), Brighton Pier, the i360, the Grand Hotel, the Peace Statue, and the famous Hove beach huts at mile 25.
What time does the Brighton Marathon start?
The first wave starts at 09:45 BST on Sunday 12 April 2026. There are 8 waves in total, with pacers covering finish times from 3:00 to 7:00 hours.
Can I get a personalised Brighton Marathon route map print?
Yes: The Finish Line Co. produces personalised route map prints for the Brighton Marathon. You can add your name, finish time, and race date. See the Brighton Marathon print here.
Useful Sources
- Brighton Marathon: Official Course Page (London Marathon Events)
- Brighton Marathon Weekend: Official Site (London Marathon Events)
- Brighton Marathon 2026: Visit Brighton
- Good Run Guide: Brighton Marathon Route Map