Big crowds turned out to watch the eighth Brighton Marathon as more 12,500 runners started the 26.2 mile course.
And they're off. Best of luck to all our runners #brightonmarathonweekend#brightonmarathon #bm10k #brightonhero #brightonmarathon2017 pic.twitter.com/3nPmG1hr0s
— Brighton Marathon (@BrightonMarathn) April 9, 2017
The sunny weather helped create a carnival atmosphere with a light wind taking the edge of the 14C (57F) temperature.
Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton was the official race starter. He looked relaxed with his Seagulls side atop the Championship and just seven points from promotion to the Premiership.
Local favourite Jon Pepper, 28, led the field of 12,562 runners for much of the race until he began to tire about six miles from the Madeira Drive finish.
Tipton Harriers runner Stuart Hawkes, 39, taking part in his first marathon, was the first of the 7,744 men home in 2 hours 27 minutes and 36 seconds.
The runner up in the men’s race was 24-year-old Ollie Garrod, almost four minutes behind, followed just over 20 seconds later by Pepper, a Brighton Phoenix club runner.
#brightonmarathon corrals in their full glory this morning! pic.twitter.com/7O1HCWTbzl
— Brighton Marathon (@BrightonMarathn) April 9, 2017
The women’s race was won by Helen Davies, 37, from Ipswich, in a time of 2 hours 42 minutes and 40 seconds. It was her first marathon in five years as she triumphed in a field of 4,818 women.
In second place was Hayley Munn, 26, from Winchester, with a time of 2 hours 46 minutes, just over five minutes ahead of third-placed Helen Buller, 38.
Congratulations Stuart Hawkes – the #brightonmarathon2017 winner #brightonmarathonweekend#brightonmarathon #brightonhero pic.twitter.com/KlTxi3spxb
— Brighton Marathon (@BrightonMarathn) April 9, 2017
Earlier the BM10k was won by Matt Sharp in 30 minutes 16 seconds. Finn McNally came second in 30 minutes 35 seconds and Paul Whittaker finished third in 30 minutes 46 seconds.
The women’s winner was Katrina Wootton who finished in 32 minutes and 46 seconds, comfortably ahead of second-placed Lily Partridge in 33 minutes 55seconds. Phoebe Law, running her first 10km, came third in 34 minutes.
Yesterday (Saturday 8 April) the Brighton Marathon weekend also included the Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Mini Mile Races.
Big thanks to Chris Hughton for starting our runners off today #brightonmarathonweekend#brightonmarathon #brightonhero #brightonmarathon20… pic.twitter.com/EHhLVitdE2
— Brighton Marathon (@BrightonMarathn) April 9, 2017
Our victorious @BrightonMarathn winner, Stuart Hawkes in 2:27:36. Photo by @AthleticsImages #brightonhero #brightonmarathon pic.twitter.com/0tXecKh4QY
— Brighton Marathon (@BrightonMarathn) April 9, 2017
