Thousands of runners are taking part in the 25th anniversary Brighton Half Marathon today (Sunday 22 February).
Thousands more were expected to cheer on those taking part in Marine Parade, Brighton, and by the promenade along Hove Lawns.
The race is the main annual fundraising event for the Sussex Beacon, the Brighton charity for people with HIV.
About 12,500 runners were expected to take part in the race, including leading club runners for many of whom it is the first major race of the year.
Road closures were due to come into force from 8.15am. The organisers aim to reopen roads as soon as they are clear of runners and almost certainly by 2pm.
A park and ride is being run from Brighton Racecourse and the last return bus is scheduled to leave Duke’s Mound at 3pm.
The weather is expected to be relatively kind, with the forecast rain and high winds not due to reach Brighton until this afternoon.
Sussex Beacon chief executive Simon Dowe was due to start the main race and youth aces were also being held.
The event’s other charity partners include Laureus, Scope, WaterAid and Rise. The main sponso is the health and life insurance business Vitality.
The race started in 1990 as a small event involving about 200 members of local athletic clubs. It has become a notable event in the calendar for people locally as well as for serious runners.
