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Thousands cross the line in Brighton Marathon

James Dunn,
Josh McLaughlin,in Brightonand
Craig Buchan,South East
Jed Leicester/London Marathon Events Two women in matching grey tops and blue shorts running while holding hands, with their other hands in the air. A man in a jacket, a smiling woman in a white top, and a man in a cap and blue tank top are running to their sides. dozens of other runners are seen in the background.Jed Leicester/London Marathon Events
Thousands of Brighton Marathon runners set off from Preston Park on Sunday morning

Thousands of runners have taken part in a "record-breaking" Brighton Marathon, organisers have said.

About 14,000 participants completed the race after setting off from the city's Preston Park on Sunday, with Rugby World Cup winner Jess Breach as the official starter.

The event followed the Brighton & Hove 10K, which started earlier that morning.

Sam Cook, of Horsham in West Sussex, won the men's marathon for the second year running, while the women's race was won by Amy Harris.

A woman in a white running top crosses a red line, breaking through a pink and yellow tape with her hands in the air. Dozens of people watch on from behind sponsor boards either side of the road.
Amy Harris was the first woman across the line at the 2026 marathon

Cook completed the course in two hours and 25 minutes, while Harris took two hours and 49 minutes.

Harris told the BBC that she felt "very proud" and "really, really pleased" with her result.

"It felt like we had support the whole way," she said.

"It really gives such a boost when you have your name cheered and everyone's yelling for you, it's an unbelievable feeling and really lovely."

A man wearing a colourful running top and a a marathon number smiles while holding the medal around his neck. Several people walk along the seafront in the background.
Sam Cook completed the marathon in two hours and 25 minutes, winning for the second year in a row

Cook, who is due to get married in August, said that he "didn't know how it was going to go today, but it went well".

"Last year it was so loud, so many people, and this year it's tenfold, it's even better," he told the BBC.

"It's nice having my mates and family, my fiancee here, it's unreal."

Clarke Reynolds in running kit with a medal around his neck. A race finish line can be seen in the background and he is smiling at the camera.
Blind runner and artist Clarke Reynolds said the event had been one of the best experiences of his life

Braille artist Clarke Reynolds, from Havant, Hampshire, completed the marathon with the support of sighted volunteers directing him using a camera and speakers on a pair of smart glasses.

He said his guide runner "didn't even touch me once", adding that he would have "given up at the 15km marker" without the volunteers.

"This is for all the visually impaired people out there, to push themselves boundaries of what society tells us we can and cannot do," said the artist, who goes by Mr Dot during his work in schools.

Emma Kruszynski and Jack Penfold, with large crowds visible behind them. Jack Penfold carries a blue sign that says "if you see this man, run" while Emma Kruszynski has a sign that reads "go on Tay, put a shift in".
Jack Penfold and Emma Kruszynski were supporting friends in the marathon

Emma Kruszynski and Jack Penfold, who ran the marathon in 2025, were in Brighton supporting three of their friends as they competed this year.

Brighton has "such an amazing atmosphere" and they know "how important the support is", Kruszynski said.

"The trickiest part, for me, is the 30km mark," she told the BBC. "That's where I really started to feel it."

Penfold said that he loved cheering on strangers too.

"It's weird because you wouldn't say hello to them on the street but at the marathon you're just shouting at them."

Helen Andrews, Tracy Gosney and Grace Harman wearing jackets by the side of a road, smiling at the camera. Grace Harman, on the right, is carrying a small brown dog. A sign reading Brighton & Hove 10K is visible in the background.
Helen Andrews, Tracy Gosney and Grace Harman supported friends and family

Tracy Gosney was out to support six of her family and friends who were taking part in the 10km (6.2 miles) race, including her son.

"We've been down here since seven o'clock this morning a bit cold, but I've had one coffee and I'm now buzzing because the sun's shining," she told BBC Radio Sussex.

"Everyone's a winner in my eyes".

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