Brighton Marathon Weekend Flash Quotes

First (male): Kieran Barnes (31:33), 28, East Grinstead, Holland Sport AC 
 
“I did the event a few years ago, as I used to train around here. I train up towards London now. 
 
“It was quite a tactical race today, with the wind. I went to the front at 3K and thought someone might catch me, but they didn’t. I just held on.  
 
“The support was really good on the course. It’s always windy down here – it’s very rare to get good conditions – so you’ve just got to race it. I came to this race off doing the Cambridge Half and will focus on the track now and do another half in October. 

“My mates worked out that this is the first race I’ve won in about 1,000 days, so I’m really pleased to take the win today.” 

First (female): Josie Wren Golder (36:59), 22, Stirling, Stirling University Run Club   

“It was so windy out there. I set off for the first 5K and I knew it was going to be hard, so I thought to myself just stick at a pace and see how it feels. 

“I lost my grandad last year, and he lived here so I used to train down here and down the coast a lot, but I live in Scotland – so it was great to be back. 

“I ran a 10K in October and got a massive PB, so I knew I wanted to come back and do this one. My grandad’s cafe (Hove Lawn) is really nearby so this whole section of the run feels like memory lane.” 

First (male): Sam Cook (2:25:05), 30, Horsham 

“It was really good, but really tough; it started out nice and got harder. We were all looking at the forecast in the past week and wondering how hard it was going to be, but it was okay in the end.  

“To win it again this year felt really good, it was great to be back out there doing it again. 

When asked if he would be coming back next year, he said: “We’ll see, we’ll see. Everyone always says never again, but let’s see how I feel tomorrow.” 

“My brother, who won the 10K last year, is actually running London this year – so best of luck to him.”  
 
Second (male): Ryan Deakin (2:29:48), 24, Wolverhampton, Tipton Harriers 

It was Ryan’s first time running the Brighton Marathon. He said: “I liked the finish on the seafront. I think that is a major part of the marathon. 
 
“It was hard in the wind, and running solo for a lot of it is hard. The crowd support is very good all the way around, so that helps, and when you get the wind behind you, that helps as well. When you get the headwind, it’s a bit difficult. 

“I was on my own from pretty much the start and caught second place at about 30K. The first 5K I went out a bit quick, then eased up a bit and ran very even splits. The last couple of kilometres I started to fall off a bit, but other than that! 

“I’m very happy with second place. It’s not the highest I’ve placed, but it’s the highest I’ve placed in a major event.” 

Ryan’s next race is the BMW Berlin Marathon in September. 
 
Third (male): Aaron Hudson (2:32:02), 40, Croydon, South London Harriers RC 
 
“That was wonderful, crowd was amazing, course was amazing, it was a beautiful day and a nine-minute PB, so yeah, couldn’t be happier.  

“That was my 32nd marathon and this is definitely my favourite. I was born in Brighton; my first marathon was in Brighton, which I did to show off to my wife on a blind date when we met. 

“I did Brighton two years ago and DNF’d at mile 16, so I came here with a point to prove. 

“My wife and daughter were in the crowd today and I actually almost knocked her out at 10K. 

“The buzz of Brighton is so incredible; it’s such an amazing atmosphere all the way through, great signs, so much going on.” 

First (female): Amy Harris (2:49:38), 31, Brighton, Brighton Phoenix 

“I did the event back in 2021, when it took place in October and I was second that year so it’s great to go one better this year. 
 
“We went out quite spicy; I think I probably went out a bit too hard, but when we got back to Rottingdean and started heading into the headwind, it got really hard. 
 
“I live and train in Brighton, so it was a good thing and a bad thing that I knew the course, so I knew what was coming, but that was also quite awful. Once I got to Grand Avenue, and all my friends were there, it was the boost I needed. 

“I wasn’t expecting to catch Lucy as she’s ridiculously strong. I caught her at 22 miles, but it was a very tough day out. The crowds were amazing. I’m the women’s captain at Brighton Phoenix and I honestly felt like everyone was cheering for me. I felt like I was smiling the whole way round – and grimacing! 
 
“The wind was tough; it was a grind, but I’m overjoyed with my time. I think this is the happiest race I’ve done. The support was better than most of the marathons I’ve done.  
 
“I did the 10K here last year, and we had three Brighton Phoenix women on the podium, including myself, so I said to everyone this year I wanted to replicate the same for the marathon, so I’m really happy. 
 
“If there’s anyone out there thinking of signing up, I would say there’s nothing quite like the accomplishment you feel at the Finish Line. I don’t think there’s anything that can give you the emotions that running gives you; no matter what pace you’re running, everyone’s putting in the same effort and doing brilliantly.” 
 
Second (female): Flaminia Gold (2:51:42), 34, Surrey, Serpentine RC 

“It was terrific out there, really good, really tough, but really fun. It was actually perfect.

“I love it here, it is my favourite marathon by far, which is why I keep coming back. Everyone keeps telling me do you not fancy trying somewhere where you can hit a PB and I just love Brighton too much! 

“This was my seventh or eighth marathon in Brighton I just love it, it is my favourite course. It was really windy, but you know… you can’t control that so. 

“My family and friends were watching and cheering me on so can’t wait to go celebrate with them.” 
 
Third (female): Lucy Lavender (2:53:56), 37, Brighton, Arena 80 AC 
 
“I feel absolutely broken! I was going great, great, great, then I hit a massive wall with about 12K to go. My legs felt like they’d stopped picking up and my pace dropped, so I’m absolutely over the moon to finish in third place on a day like today when I was feeling like that. 
 
“I think leading for such a long time on my own definitely took it out of me. The wind was a lot more brutal than I thought it was going to be, so I was prepared for it, but I stuck with my guns in terms of pacing and actually I should have let go a little bit.  
 
“But you’ve got to give it a go and see what happens. To be fair, the race didn’t go at all how I wanted it to go, it was a slower time than I expected, but I’m pleased with third. 
 
“The crowds today were amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever done such a well-supported race. It was unreal. I 100% agree with Amy that the crowds were brilliant. 
 
“If you’re thinking of signing up, give it a go; you won’t regret it. Even if things don’t go to plan, it’s still a great adventure and you come out the other side a different person.” 

First (male): James Baker (2:58:12), 49, Chichester, Chichester Runners 
 
“The course was reasonably familiar, especially the end section. It was a bit weird joining the marathon runners for the first few miles, but it was fun and I was glad of it.  
 
“I was going a bit quicker than them, so I was able just to gradually pass them and keep my pace; it gave me something to concentrate on. 
 
“I looked down at the highest point on the trail marathon course and could see thousands of people below me, it was quite surreal really.  
 
“I’m on a winning streak of marathon: I’ve won 10 in a row. My PB is 2:26 on the road, that’s why I was so comfortable on the trails today.  
 
“I think the high point for me today was taking the lead after a mile; I was feeling really comfortable, so I tried not to push it and just stay at a relaxed pace. I was flagging a bit in the last mile, but I paced it quite well.”

First (female): Alice Denning (3:39:35), 28, Eastbourne 

“Yeah, it was really good. Obviously it was the first time the trail has been integrated into the route ,so it was really fun. Last year I ran the roads and I loved it, but this was amazing.  

“I did think I got lost at one point on the roads ,but I found my way back! 

“Brighton is such a great place to do the marathon because of the atmosphere and the crowds. To win it was amazing.” 

When asked if she will be back next year she said: “Maybe, we will have to see.”