Youth Races

They’re back – bigger & better than ever!

Calling all runners aged 7-17: The Brighton Half Youth Races are back for another year! Next year’s race on 24th February will be bigger and better than ever before: we have some surprises up our sleeves to make the 2019 event the best yet – including a new course and dedicated pre-race meeting point at Hove Lawns.

All about our Youth Races

The Brighton Half Youth Races are a chance for young runners of all abilities to run one mile on the course of the half marathon route. New for 2019, we will be relocating to the Peace Statue on Hove Lawns with a new course, far more space for friends and family to watch and cheer, and chance for runners to experience the buzz of a big race and the incredible crowd support that Brighton Half is renowned for.

There are four age categories in the event:

7-10 years old
11-12 years old
13-14 years old
15-17 years old

As well as taking part in the excitement of race day, each runner will receive a free technical T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and a goody bag to take home. We’ll also be awarding prizes to the first, second and third place winners in each age category in the boys and girls races.

We really encourage families to come along and get involved – pre-race briefings will be at our dedicated Youth Race marquee at the Peace Statue, and there’ll be presentations and a photo call after the race for all runners.

Introducing our Charity Partner

We’re delighted to introduce local children’s charity Chestnut Tree House as our official Youth Race Charity Partner for 2019. Chestnut Tree House cares for around 300 children and young people with life-shortening conditions across Sussex and South East Hampshire, all of whom are unlikely to reach adulthood. This year we encourage all our young runners to help fundraise for this amazing charity and help fellow children and their families.

Could your little runner fundraise?

Young runners may like to fundraise for Chestnut Tree House as part of their Youth Race experience. It’s easy and fun to do – they can simply ask their friends and family to support them in their running efforts. Kids can choose to fundraise by setting up a simple JustGiving page or by downloading a paper sponsorship form. There’s no minimum and every little really can go a long way to helping this fantastic, much-needed cause.

Chestnut Tree makes every Now count

On a visit to the Chestnut Tree House, kids can be astronauts for the day in the multi-sensory room, discover creepy crawlies on a woodland walk, or form their very own pop group in the music room. It’s a place where parents can just be parents, and not carers, and where siblings have people to talk to who understand.

As well as care provided at the House, there is a Community Nursing Team who visit families at home, taking children out to explore their local community or simply giving tired families and carers the chance to take a well-earned break.

Then, when the time comes, Chestnut Tree House help families say goodbye, in whatever way feels right for them, either at home or in the hospice itself. They offer ongoing bereavement support for the whole family.

It costs over £3.9 million every year to provide these specialist care services and less than 6% of that comes from central Government. All care is offered to families free of charge, so Chestnut Tree House relies heavily on the generosity of the local community.

Where fundraising goes:

£4.75 pays for one minute of all Chestnut Tree House’s care services, both at the hospice and in families’ own homes
£35 will enable a child to experience a magical hour in the multi-sensory room
£50 will give a child the opportunity to go for a swim in the hydrotherapy pool
£285 will pay for one hour of all care at Chestnut Tree House and in the community
£675 pays for a child to spend a night at Chestnut Tree House, receive specialist care and enjoy the facilities
£1,500 allows the Community Team to host a Family Day for 20 families, with a range of activities for the whole family to enjoy
£6,850 will pay for one day of all Chestnut Tree House’s care services