Behind the race - An insight into the Altra Brighton Half Marathon with Holly Freeman

Holly Freeman (right) oversees one of the largest half marathons in the UK

In this interview series, Ahotu will be speaking with the people behind some of the most unique races across the globe. We’ll be discussing the history of the event, challenges and how to overcome them, attracting sponsors, reaching new runners and more!

Thanks for joining us Holly. For someone who has never heard of it, how would you describe the Altra Brighton Half Marathon?

The Brighton Half is a 13.1-mile course run along one of the UK’s most iconic seafronts. It’s a mix of fast, flat stretches and spectacular coastal views, with a real festival atmosphere. It attracts seasoned club runners chasing PBs, first-timers raising money for charity, and everyone in between. The race really captures the spirit of Brighton: inclusive, vibrant, and welcoming. The race takes place in early March / late February most years, so it acts as a bit of a Spring season opener for many of our participants.

Brighton itself is a small but charming city on the UK’s southern coast, just an hour from London, it’s a real destination city, with millions visiting from the UK and abroad every year!

How long has the race been taking place, and how did you personally get involved in organising it?

The race was first held in 1990, so we’re now well into our fourth decade. In the early days it really was 3-400 local club athletes looking to take on the Half Marathon distance – often in preparation for running the London Marathon (as there really were not many events of that distance around at the time).

The event grew steadily through the 90s and by 2005 was attracting 3-4,000 runners – sizable numbers at the time but really started to grow from Olympic year 2012 and started to have 6,500 to 7,000 finishers. This all came to a halt following the pandemic where we had to operate the 2021 event under COVID restrictions which saw less than 3,000 competitors allowed to enter – and we have steadily grown back from there.

I first got involved through The Sussex Beacon (a local charity that is the owner of the event) and the local running community, what began as a voluntary role has turned into a huge part of my life. Being part of something that combines sport, community, and fundraising is incredibly rewarding and something I’m immensely proud to be a part of.

10,000 participants await the start of the 2025 Altra Brighton Half Marathon

The race is Brighton’s biggest annual fundraiser for The Sussex Beacon - how has that mission shaped the way you organise and deliver the event?

The Sussex Beacon provides specialist care for people living with HIV, so the fundraising element is central to what we do. It’s not just about putting on a race; it’s about creating an event that inspires people to give back. That ethos influences everything - from keeping the race affordable and accessible, to ensuring we provide the best possible experience, so runners come back year after year.

We of course have a lot of runners that raise money for the Sussex Beacon, as well as for other charities. This is a big factor in creating our race day atmosphere, it’s a well supported race with crowds and spectators lining big sections of our coastal route, this all makes for a great experience for both participants and spectators.

Since its first edition, the Brighton Half has grown into one of the largest races in southeast England. What have been the key ingredients in that steady growth?

Consistency and community. We’ve always delivered a well-organised race, and word of mouth has been powerful. At the same time, Brighton itself is a huge draw - people love making a weekend of it. Add in the charity element, and you’ve got a race that people want to come back to.

We also believe we’ve got a really special start / finish line along Brightons iconic seafront. There’s something special about running alongside the sea and the race is coastal for the vast majority of the route!

This year’s event saw record-breaking participant numbers with around 9,000 participants. What factors do you think drove that, and how did it change the race-day atmosphere?

I think people are really embracing live events again after the pandemic. Word has also spread about the fast, friendly nature of our course. On race day, the atmosphere was electric - you could feel the buzz right from the start line. More runners also meant more spectators, which really lifted everyone’s spirits, the weather was great which certainly helped.

The race is on a big scale but it’s also got a really strong community feel which keeps people coming back year after year! For 2025 we had a new start / finish line by Hove Lawns, which got a great response from participants.

Runners enjoying the new half marathon route for the 2025 edition

What can participants expect from the course itself, and from race weekend more broadly?

The course takes you past the Royal Pavilion, along the pier, and out towards Ovingdean, with panoramic sea views along the way. It’s flat, fast, and very scenic. Beyond the race, the weekend is a celebration of running - from the race village and our youth races on the Saturday, to the brilliant atmosphere in the city itself! If the weather is good you’ll see participants and their friends and family enjoying a drink on the beach after the event and the brave ones will even go for a dip in the sea (which is pretty cold at this time of year)!

Do you see runners traveling from abroad? Which countries are becoming more represented, and how do you support international participants?

Yes, we welcome runners from across Europe and further afield. We’ve noticed strong numbers from Ireland, France, and Germany in particular. We try to make it easy for them by providing clear travel and accommodation info, and of course, Brighton’s hospitality scene does the rest!

What’s also really encouraging is that some of our international participants are coming back year after year, which is real compliment - we had a Norwegian run club visit in 2024 and many of their members returned for 2025 for another go!

Our partnership with Ahotu has certainly helped raise awareness outside the UK and we hope to continue attracting runners from all over the world. We had 25 countries represented this year and expect to exceed that in 2026.

For runners traveling from further afield, what does Brighton itself offer? What would you recommend they do while visiting?

Brighton has it all - the beach, the Lanes with their quirky independent shops, fantastic food, and a vibrant cultural scene. For a runner, it’s the perfect place to combine sport with a weekend away. My tip would be: don’t leave without fish and chips on the seafront!

It’s also relatively easy to combine a trip to Brighton with a visit to London as it is just an hour away by train. For international visitors Gatwick airport is just half an hour away by train, so we are an accessible race in that sense.

Have you noticed any shifts in the runner demographic in recent years?

Yes - we’ve seen more women signing up, which is fantastic, to the point that we are essentially now a 50/50 event in terms of male / female participation. There’s also been a noticeable increase in younger runners and greater diversity in the field. The 26 - 30 age range is now our biggest demographic and remarkably 60% of our participants are under the age of 30!

Running has become more accessible over the last decade, and we’re proud that our race reflects that inclusivity!

Altra secured the title sponsorship for the Brighton Half Marathon in a multi-year deal

You recently announced Altra as your headline sponsor in a multi-year partnership. How did that deal come together, and what does Altra bring to the event?

We were looking for a partner that shared our values; community, inclusivity, and a love for running. Altra stood out because they’re so passionate about supporting runners of all abilities. The partnership came together quite organically, and it felt like the right fit straight away.

Runners can expect to see Altra in our race village, offering shoe trials, activations, and advice. They also have on-course presence, encouraging runners at key points. It’s more than just branding it’s about engaging with participants in a meaningful way. Altra kick-off our weekend with a shakeout run along the seafront with a chance to meet some of the team, grab a bite to eat – and of course talk running!

Are there other key sponsors or partners you’d like to highlight?

Absolutely, we are lucky to have a host of partners and sponsors that all play a big role in making the event weekend what it is. Runna, our official training partner, have helped so many participants prepare with personalised training plans. Our nutrition partners (High5) ensure runners are fuelled on the course, and we work closely with local businesses like Yeomans Toyota, SeaLanes and many others who support everything from volunteer kits to sustainability initiatives. It really is a collective effort.

Race weekend includes a wheelchair race as well as youth participation options

Youth races and wheelchair events add real depth to race weekend. How have those elements evolved, and what’s next?

They’ve grown steadily and are now an integral part of what we do. The youth races in particular are a recent addition and take place on the Saturday the day before the main event. For 2025 it was a great way of getting a wider audience engaged in the event and of course it’s so important to us to inspire the next generation of runners! We had a great uptake with hundreds of younger participants taking on the 1-mile seafront course. For many it’s their first experienced of an event like this and it’s so great to see families out enjoying the atmosphere.

We’re passionate about encouraging participation at all levels and from all backgrounds. Looking ahead, we’d love to expand opportunities for young people and para-athletes even further!

What is your favourite thing about organising the Altra Brighton Half Marathon?

For me, it’s seeing the last runner cross the line. There’s something incredibly moving about that moment, the cheers are so loud, and you know that person has dug deep to get there. It’s a reminder that this race is for everyone!

Looking to the next few years, what’s your vision for the Altra Brighton Half Marathon?

We want to continue growing while staying true to our roots. That means more sustainability initiatives, even greater inclusivity, and keeping the fundraising heart of the event front and centre. We’re also exploring new ways to engage with the community year-round, not just on race weekend!

Christa Cain crosses the finish line as 1st female in the 2025 edition

The Altra Brighton Half Marathon takes place in March 2026, for more information check out the link below!

Interested in taking part? You can register for future editions at https://www.ahotu.com/event/altra-brighton-half-marathon

To feature in our interview series you can drop us an email on content@worldssportsgroup.com

Interested in promoting your race with World’s Marathons or Ahotu? Contact us on partners@worldssportsgroup.com