Thousands take part in Brighton half marathon

WATCH: Charlotte Wilkins reports from Brighton. She spoke to women's race winner Bobby Searle, Bill Puddicombe from Sussex Beacon, and comedian Zoe Lyons.

Thousands of runners turned out for the Brighton Half Marathon this morning, in perfect race conditions, running 13.1 miles around the city of Brighton.

The event marks the 31st anniversary of the Brighton Half Marathon, dubbed ‘the happiest half’ by runners and spectators alike.

The race was started at 9am by ‘Beaky’- a new seagull mascot for the race. The name is also a nod to the fact that the event is organised by local HIV charity The Sussex Beacon.

The route took runners past the stunning seafront cliff tops of east Brighton, the Royal Pavilion, The Grand Brighton hotel, the i360, the colourful beach huts of Hove seafront and the iconic Brighton Palace Pier.

The field featured hundreds of runners new to the half marathon distance, experienced half marathoners and elite runners, with hundreds of spectators lining the route to cheer on the runners.

 In the men’s race, course record holder and second time winner, Paul Navesey, of City of Portsmouth AC, took first place with a time of 68 minutes and 10 seconds; second place went to Marcus England, of Western Tempo, who came home in at 68 minutes and 55 seconds.    

The women’s race was won by elite runner, Bobby Searle of Brighton Phoenix, who finished in 82 minutes and 25 seconds, followed by Dani Tarleton of Arena 80 AC in 83 minutes and 03 seconds.

Bill Puddicombe, Chief Executive of Sussex Beacon said he was delighted to be back and raising money for lots of worthy causes