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February 4, 2020 at 10:22 am

Brighton Half Marathon 2020  |  Race news

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2 weeks to go: Taper time!

Tapering your training

It’s time to start the all-important final aspect of your training: tapering.

Whilst it may seem counter-intuitive, tapering is essential to preventing injury before the big day, and ensuring you perform at your very best. So, try to keep your excitement under control, and resist the urge to train like mad, as the countdown begins!

What is tapering?

The taper period is when you reduce the intensity of your training as the half marathon approaches, to allow your body to properly recover and adjust. Each runner’s requirements will differ, and the person with whom you develop your training plan will help you plan the most effective taper period for your body.

Why is tapering important?

Tapering can dramatically reduce your risk of sustaining an injury during the race and prevent problems during your recovery period too.

During your taper period, your muscle glycogen levels return to their optimal level. Various enzymes, hormones and antioxidants, which are depleted during training, also return to their peak levels, and muscle and connective tissue is given chance to repair and strengthen in time for race day. Tapering also allows your immune system to improve dramatically after the strain of training.

The tapering period is also when your body will reap the benefits of training. The ways in which your performance improves through training are called ‘training adaptations’ and require a certain amount of rest to take place. This means that while you may not be working as hard during your taper, it’s an essential step towards being at your fittest and fastest by the time race day comes around.

Science for maximum performance

With your hard training done and your tapering period about to begin, there’s every chance you’re already keeping to a nutrient-rich diet to ensure maximum performance – but have you considered how you’ll stay hydrated and energized during the race? Runners Need has a wide range of nutrition and hydration foods and supplements to keep your blood sugar levels at peak and prevent the dreaded flagging. Visit Runners Need’s in-store experts to find the on-the-go products guaranteed to help you power through.


Team Beacon 2019
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September 9, 2019 at 9:23 am

All news  |  Brighton Half Marathon 2020  |  Charity news

Glencairn Consulting returns as Team Beacon Sponsor

The Sussex Beacon are celebrating a staggering 30 years of the Brighton Half Marathon in 2020. Most importantly, 30 years of support from local businesses and thousands of volunteers who make this event and Team Beacon possible.

The Grand Brighton Half Marathon is our biggest fundraiser. Owned and delivered by The Sussex Beacon, the event raises essential funds for our services for people living with HIV. Within the 12,000 annual entrants are a team of runners going the extra mile by fundraising for The Sussex Beacon. We call these incredible people ‘Team Beacon’. Over the last 4 years, 750 Team Beacon runners raised an astonishing £105,000 with support from family and friends.

Our Team Beacon Sponsor

We are proud to provide Team Beacon with fantastic facilities, hospitality and support on race day to give every runner the best experience. This wouldn’t be possible without one very special supporter who goes above and beyond to support The Sussex Beacon.

Andrew Buchan, IT Architect and Director at Glencairn Consulting, is generously sponsoring Team Beacon 2020! Supporting the charity and every runner who is testing their limits by running 13.1 miles for The Sussex Beacon.

Glencairn Consulting are an independent IT consulting company providing Enterprise Architecture services to companies across financial, public, private and charity sectors. They specialise in major change programs and above all bring years of experience delivering new technologies in cost saving delivery methodologies. Andrew very generously supports a variety of good causes any way he can. 

Andrew is a keen runner himself and advocates the physical and mental benefits of running.

There is nothing better than to go out for an early morning run and let problems resolve through the run. Running in groups and events are a great method of pushing your limits to get to the next goal. For me it’s about pushing yourself to achieve a better time than before. Whilst also enjoying the atmosphere and fun in running”

Why The Grand Brighton Half Marathon?

We are always blown away by Andrews commitment to running and supporting local charities in the process. Andrew has completed many challenge events, and we’re delighted The Grand Brighton Half Marathon remains on his yearly running calendar.

The Brighton Half is a great course and a good starting point for half marathon events. The support along the route is great and you feel encouraged all the way. The location is perfect with a near flat course (albeit a slight incline on first leg). It is a great feeling running along Madeira Drive and finishing knowing you have achieved a goal and made a huge impact on charities like The Sussex Beacon as a result. The Sussex Beacon is a great charity to support and one of my favourites. Team Beacon is a great place to join and become part of a huge running team with encouragement all the way, a private tent for preparing and relaxing in after the event, plus free food to re-charge the batteries.

We asked Andrew to tell us his favourite thing about The Grand Brighton Half Marathon – and we definitely agree!

“The atmosphere. No matter what the weather, the streets are crowded with supporters and it’s an amazing feeling crossing the line knowing what you have achieved personally and for charities.”

Supporting The Sussex Beacon

Andrew has been a supporter and volunteer at The Sussex Beacon for many years. A vital part of the team, he always goes above and beyond to support the organisation any way he can.

“I have been personally involved with the Sussex Beacon for about 5 years now and as a HIV Positive man, I know the services they provide are vital to our community. Not only in Brighton but the surrounding areas too. The team provide valuable services to anyone affected by HIV and are fully supportive and inclusive. Sponsoring Team Beacon allows me to give something back to The Sussex Beacon. Helping to raise awareness of their cause whilst encouraging runners to join Team Beacon.”

We are incredibly fortunate for Andrew’s invaluable support. Without ongoing supporters and volunteers like Andrew and Glencairn Consulting, we simply wouldn’t exist.

If you would like to join Team Beacon, please visit the Team Beacon page for full details or register via the ‘Enter 2020’ button. If you would like to volunteer for The Sussex Beacon or support the charity in other ways however, please visit The Sussex Beacon website.


10 reasons to enter The Sussex Beacon Relay

Are you a group of friends that need a reason to start keeping fit? A business looking for a team building activity?

The Sussex Beacon is proud to organise The Grand Brighton Half Marathon each year, incorporating our very own relay race ‘The Sussex Beacon Relay’. Next year will be the fifth year for our relay and it gets bigger and better every year.  The event is open to groups of friends and families as well as businesses. It’s the perfect opportunity to dust off your running trainers and hit the pavement, all for a brilliant cause.

With teams of four, each runner will take on approximately 5k. If you find the full 13.1 miles too daunting, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved. The support you’ll receive from your team mates and our fundraising team will keep you motivated. Maybe you’ll get the bug and next year you’ll all be entering the half marathon as solo runners!

Why take part in The Sussex Beacon Relay?

You can probably think of ten things you would rather be doing on a brisk February Sunday morning than running 5k in Lycra shorts… but this isn’t just any relay. So here are ten reasons why you should take part:

  1. Exclusive hospitality

All relay runners raising money for The Sussex Beacon will get exclusive access to our super-duper marquee on race day. Inside we have mountains of delicious food, snacks and drinks, comfy seats, motivational music, professional photography and a separate secure baggage area. Teams with a Celebration Entry will also have access to exclusive hospitality at The Grand Hotel on Brighton seafront on race day.

  1. Meet at 450ft

Your team will be invited to join The Sussex Beacon at the annual Team Beacon meet up in early February at a location in Brighton (last year this was held at the British Airways i360!). Your team will then receive a quick briefing on the details of the relay, maps, race numbers and your Relay T-shirts.

  1. Fantastic medal

Once your runners have each completed their leg of the race, you’ll be presented with a brilliant The Sussex Beacon Relay medal to commemorate your achievement!

  1. Prizes

The three fastest teams win an engraved award, whilst the team to complete the relay course in the fastest time and the team to raise the most funds each win a prize.

  1. Team building

This may seem like a simple four-person relay, but it requires strategy, communication and enthusiasm. From deciding your running order, your pace and your eye-capturing attire, to orchestrating award-winning fundraising tactics. The runner’s teamwork skills will determine their success!

  1. Bragging rights

In just a few short years, our relay has generated unprecedented levels of competition between our regular teams. Whether it’s being crowned the fastest or the highest fundraising team, the promise of ultimate bragging rights has fuelled rivalry both online and on the course.

  1. Do it for Instagram

With social media becoming a big part of our work and personal lives, an opportunity for some great content is hard to pass up on! From training to fundraising, you can spread the word and get your followers interacting with your challenge.

  1. Bring the community together

Competition aside, we hope to bring the community together to support local businesses integral to Brighton’s rich culture of diversity and inclusivity and to raise vital funds for The Sussex Beacon.

  1. You’re not alone

Our fabulous team of staff and volunteers at The Sussex Beacon are on hand to provide support and resources from the moment you register your team into the race.

  1. Be eye-capturing

We don’t promote the relay as a fancy-dress race, but we want your supporters to spot you on the course! So fancy dress is welcome – just make sure it is safe for that sprint to your baton or finish line… no one wants to trip on their dinosaur tail at that crucial moment.

How to enter

There are two fantastic packages to enter starting from just £150 per team. Read the full details of what you could experience on race day and secure your team here.


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February 22, 2019 at 12:56 pm

Race news  |  The 2019 race

Who is The Welsh Runner?

Name: Matt Rees
Age: 31
Occupation: Online Running Coach
Running Club: Swansea Harriers
Favourite Distance: Marathon
PBs: Marathon: 2:29:55 / Half Marathon: 1:09:19
Goals: Run for my country

How long have you been running?

I started running as a new year’s resolution in 2015 aged 27, so just over 4 years now. I have always been fit through playing sports and going to the gym, but I hated running. Building muscle with heavy weights was more important to me.

Why did you start running?

I have suffered badly with anxiety for many years. One of the main reasons I started running was to try and deal with some of the symptoms of anxiety. Running has helped enormously. It is not a cure but it is a great technique to help overcome some of the challenges of life. I could go on about the anxiety and periods of depression I have faced in the past, but I try to be a much more positive person now and look forward. I still suffer, but I have much better ways of handling it now, and running is major part of that. For years I cared way too much about what people thought of me in every aspect of my life. It would drive me crazy with worry. Now I focus on my most loved ones. They are the ones that matter.

When you first started running what did your training look like?

I thought I had a fairly good knowledge of health and fitness when I started running but I soon realised that I didn’t. Despite spending many hours in the gym and playing football on the weekends my first run was hard. I went slow but it was tough. My first training plan didn’t have any intervals, tempo runs, hills, sessions, or long runs. I didn’t run easy, and I didn’t run hard. I just went out and ran at an uncomfortable pace 3 times a week. I was getting fitter but not making the gains that can be achieved through clever training.

Why didn’t this work?

It’s not that it didn’t work. I was improving, but there was so much more to running than I initially realised. The main reason my progress was restricted was because there was no variation in my plan. I was doing the same thing for every run. I had lots of enthusiasm but very little knowledge on how to train effectively.

How long did it take you to research your own regime?

I did lots of reading and asked lots of questions. I come from an academic background and love research.  I tried to soak up as much knowledge as possible. I didn’t get it right straight away. Lots of my training was through trial and error. I didn’t even realise the importance of long runs until 7 months after I had taken up running. I now see the long run as the most important run of my week. You can improve even when you don’t get it right. That’s what was happening with me. I was getting faster despite the flaws in my training. However, the more I learnt, the better I became. You can always learn something about training and your own body.

How was your training once you started to implement different types of runs?

Initially I found intervals and tempo runs difficult, but I started to improve much faster than I had been from just running the same pace every time. When I started to implement long runs in to my routine, my improvements grew even faster. My training plan started to incorporate hard sessions followed by easy days. It takes some getting used to but the rewards are worth the effort. Additionally, the variation keeps running fun. I think it is important to build these sessions on a strong foundation though. That’s where lots of runners go wrong. They neglect the base training.

Have you received much support from your clubs and family?

I joined Swansea Harriers after a few months of training on my own. I was initially apprehensive and unsure if I was good enough to join a club. However, I soon realised that the club included runners of all different abilities and ages. The club were massively supportive and I had finally found a group of people who weren’t bored by my desire to chat about running. Joining a club really helped my running education and gave me lots of opportunities that I was unaware of.

My family have been supportive, but initially they didn’t really understand my desire to run. I wasn’t a runner and a few months later I was racing and a member of a club. It took people a while to realise that running was not a fad, it was a part of my life that was there to stay. They are much more supportive now but I think they still struggle to come to terms with my commitment to running and the ambitious goals I have set myself.

Tell us about your London Marathon experience which lead to you receiving a Spirit of London Award?

I believe that helping David was the natural thing to do. When you see someone in distress, you don’t really think, you just act. I wanted to help him and make sure he finished the race which starts months before, when you start training. I was astonished by the public reaction and attention the moment received. It’s fantastic to have a positive running story and hopefully it highlights that within the running community there is so much camaraderie.

Matthew Rees (L) of Swansea Harriers helps David Wyeth (C) of Chorlton Runners reach the finish line during the London marathon on April 23, 2017 in London. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS

What are your biggest running achievements?

I have won a number of races now. It seems crazy saying that. When I first started running I never thought I would be winning races, and yet 7 months later I won my first event, The Wales 10K in Tenby, on my birthday. That was a special day.

Since then I have gone on to win events including the Great Welsh Marathon, RnR Liverpool Half, and gold at the Welsh 10,000m Championships.

However, my favourite races are usually the races I don’t win. Don’t get me wrong I love winning, but I push myself more when there are faster competitors in the race. I get more satisfaction from really pushing my limits than winning a race. So, I really love the big events. Thousands of runners, a big build up and lots of the best runners. That’s normally when I PB.

What’s your most memorable running moment?

I have already mentioned the iconic moment with David so I will choose something different. I think in running it has to be crossing the finish line in my debut marathon in London. It was just such a huge moment of relief and satisfaction as I knew the suffering was over and all my hard work had come to fruition. I was really proud when I looked down at my watch and saw that I had run 2:29 on my first attempt. Not many people believed I would get near that time, but I knew how much preparation I had put in during the months before. I had huge amounts of self-belief going in to that race. It was an emotional moment.

 What’s your favourite sayings?

I use lots of motivational sayings that I have heard but my favourite quote is from Bart Yasso of Runner’s World:

“I often hear someone say I’m not a real runner. We’re all runners, some just run faster than others. I never met a fake runner”– Bart Yasso.

For me this encapsulates running. Lots of people think they are not fast enough, but I think we are a community. We all go through the same things, no matter what pace you are running.

Another one I like is:

“I already know what giving up feels like. I want to see what happens if I don’t”

This one is a great mantra in a race when it hurts and your head is pleading with you to slow down.

Tell us how you use @thewelshrunner to inspire others?

I try to motivate others by sharing the ups and downs of my training on Instagram and YouTube. Most runners are going through the same things no matter what level you are, so I try to open up my training so others can learn and relate. I share tips and sessions that I use in my own training. I love the running community on social media and am inspired by all of the posts I see on a daily basis.

 


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February 14, 2019 at 1:47 pm

Race news  |  The 2019 race

Brighton Half Marathon: 1 Week To Go

Avoid injury with Runners Need

Brighton Half Marathon: Your Essential Kit List

You’re worked hard mentally and physically to prepare for race day, and now it’s only a week away! With your training all but done, all that remains is to make sure you have everything you need on the day. Runners Need have put together a handy list of the essential kit for a successful half marathon:

 

Rain Jacket

We all know there’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a great run, and getting soaked by the faithful British rain! Coming prepared for the worst weather will make sure nothing can stop you smashing your goal. A lightweight, breathable rain jacket will make sure you stay dry by protecting you from the elements and ensuring sweat can still escape.

Shop all running jackets: https://www.runnersneed.com/c/clothing/jackets-gilets.html

 

Phone Holder Armband

An armband means you can keep your prized possession – and motivational tunes – close by during the race. Look for one which is convenient to access (so you don’t waste energy), comfortable and lightweight. Some are also washable, which may be welcome after running 13 miles!

Shop armbands and wallets: https://www.runnersneed.com/c/accessories/arm-wallets.html

 

Spare Socks and Shoes

Once you’ve crossed that finish line, you’ll probably want to get out of your sweaty running shoes and socks as soon as possible! Making sure you have something to change into allows your feet to begin recovering and keeps you comfortable for the rest of the day. OOFOS flip flops make great recovery shoes, as they allow your feet to air and are built to allow natural motion, so you don’t put extra strain on your feet or legs.

Shop OOFOS flip-flops: https://www.runnersneed.com/p/oofos-unisex-ooriginal-L1114200.html?colour=124

Shop running socks: https://www.runnersneed.com/c/clothing/socks.html

 

Running Cap

A cap is necessary to protect your head and eyes from the sun. Look for a breathable and vented cap to ensure your head stays cool, and you may want to choose one with built-in sweat bands to prevent the dreaded eye sting!

Shop all running headgear: https://www.runnersneed.com/c/accessories/hats.html

 

 

 

Water Bottle

A no-brainer – staying hydrated is everything during the half marathon! An ergonomically designed bottle will allow you to handle it with ease, ensuring you can hydrate without slowing down. You may opt for a handheld bottle so you can access your hydration quickly, or one which attaches to your kit.

https://www.runnersneed.com/c/nutrition-hydration/water-bottles.html

 

Gels

Fast-acting gels offer energy and hydration without the bulk of carrying snacks or excess water. Runners Need offer a variety of formulations with different benefits to recharge you during the half marathon.

https://www.runnersneed.com/c/nutrition-hydration/energy-recovery-gels.html

 

Hydration Powder

Adding an electrolyte hydration powder to your drink will boost your body’s water absorption and keep you performing at your peak.

https://www.runnersneed.com/c/nutrition-hydration/energy-recovery-drinks.html

 

Safety Pins

Make sure you have a few safety pins with you, so you can wear your race number with pride!

 

Still not sure what to go for, or need to grab some last-minute essentials? Visit Runners Need in-store to find all the kit, nutrition and expert advice you’ll need to smash the Brighton Half Marathon.


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January 14, 2019 at 12:05 pm

Charity news  |  Race news  |  The 2019 race

Run for Team RISE and help people live free from domestic abuse and violence

Our vision is a world free from domestic abuse – where each and every person has the right to be in a safe, supportive, and equal relationship, and nobody is afraid of what will happen to them when they go home. If you agree with us, why not run the Brighton Half Marathon for RISE in 2019, the year we celebrate our 25th anniversary!

For 25 years we’ve provided comfort, advice, solace and safety to people living in Brighton & Hove and beyond, but without important fundraising events like the Brighton Half Marathon we simply wouldn’t be able to continue our vital work.

We don’t for a minute under-estimate the hard work, sacrifice, chafing and blisters it takes to complete a 13 mile run… and are so grateful to each and every amazing person who chooses to run for us! We will do our utmost to look after you and support you every step of the way, whether this is your first Half Marathon or you are a seasoned distance runner.

Run For Rise >>

It’s important to us to give you the best experience possible, and will provide:

  • A fabulous goody-bag overflowing with treats (all kindly donated from an array of awesome local companies)
  • Access to the RISE tent in the athlete’s village on race day for you, your friends and family. Our tent promises to be awash with all the cake you can eat, and plenty of hugs.
  • A fetching hot pink running vest to make you stand out to our teams of cheer squads
  • A warm feeling from knowing you’re helping RISE support people affected by domestic abuse in the city

But don’t just take our word for it, one of last year’s RISE runners said: “I was proud to support a local, Brighton charity that is so important. The charity tent was lovely. The staff were supportive and friendly before and after the event. The range of refreshments was very welcome – as well as spare safety pins!”

A staggering 1 in 4 women will be affected by domestic abuse in their lifetime. With the help of our supporters RISE is able to offer the following support to people living in Brighton & Hove:

  • The only local domestic abuse helpline
  • A refuge with room for 15 families in urgent need
  • An LGBTQ+ service for survivors of domestic abuse which was the first in England
  • Support with housing, finance, criminal and civil proceedings
  • Counselling and support groups
  • Drop-ins and case-work

Enter here >>


Brighton Half Marathon: 6 Weeks to Go

Avoid injury with Runners Need

With the big day just six weeks away, nailing your half marathon training is essential to achieve your best performance effectively and painlessly! Scheduling in the right amount of hard training, easier runs and rest will ensure that your body is well prepared to power through the 13 miles. Our friends at Runners Need have put together a training guide to help you get the most from your last six weeks of training. Remember, though, this is only a guide, and you should always seek personalised training advice where possible.

Let’s start with the easy bit: every Monday, Thursday and Saturday for the last six weeks are rest days. It’s really important that you schedule in enough time for your body to recover, to ensure you don’t sustain any injuries and you are rested enough to perform at your best on race day.

Every Tuesday, you should do 40 minutes of easy running. This light exercise is intended to maintain your great results so far and keep your muscles moving, for an easy transition between hard training and rest days.

The first four Wednesdays of the six weeks leading up to the Brighton Half Marathon, you should do a 30-minute tempo run. A tempo run is one which is 25 to 30 seconds per mile quicker than your current race pace and improves speed and endurance in longer races like a half marathon. The last two Wednesdays (in our case, 13th and 20th February) should be rest days – this is your taper period.

Fridays and Sundays are where we alter the run types and lengths for maximum gain as the half marathon draws closer:

Fridays:

Week 1 (w/c 14th Jan) – 40 minutes interval running

Week 2 – 50 minutes interval running or cross training

Week 3 – 50 minutes interval running

Week 4 – 40 minutes interval running or cross training

Week 5 – 40 minutes interval running

Week 6 – 50 minutes easy running

Sundays:

Week 1 – Run 5 miles (8km)

Week 2 –Run 10 miles (16km)

Week 3 – Run 5 miles (8km)

Week 4 – Run 12 miles (19km)

Week 5 – Run 6 miles (10km) at race pace

Week 6 – Run the Brighton Half Marathon!

Following this training plan, or a similar one recommended for you, will ensure that your body is in the best possible condition for the race. From Runners Need, the very best of luck to everyone participating in the Brighton Half Marathon!