How busy is Brighton on the marathon weekend?

[bloodywhitecat]

I am thinking of travelling down to Brighton next weekend to support my daughter who is running in aid of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Normally travelling down and finding my way around wouldn't bother me but I will have two under 2s with me and I am very recently widowed so am still finding my feet. I desperately want to support DD as DH, her step dad, had a related cancer. I am trying to figure out if I have the guts to do it on my own. I live in East Anglia so a trip is going to have to involve an overnight stay somewhere too.

Any advice would be very welcome, thank you.

It does get very busy, yes. Especially along the seafront where all the crowds of spectators are. It's a great atmosphere though! It's quite easy to get around though, and there are a few quieter spots for spectating if you want to avoid the busy areas on the seafront. If you want to stay overnight, it's quite expensive in Brighton on marathon weekend but try somewhere like Worthing, it's a lot cheaper and only 20 mins on the train into Brighton.

I’m sorry for your loss @bloodywhitecat. I don’t have much advice but wanted to come out in solidarity with you. I’m widowed too (just over 5 years), my eldest ds is doing the marathon in aid of teenage cancer, and I too am going to watch. I will have my other dc with me but thankfully they’re adult now.

I’m not sure if you’re driving down. I am and I’m worried about parking. Two possibilities I’ve considered are just finding a residential street (obviously with no restrictions) some wet out and walking in, or parking at Gatwick and catching a train.

Good luck if you decide to go, I’m sure it will be a fab atmosphere. Good luck to your dd too, and who knows, maybe we’ll pass each other by!

It's insanely busy. Unlikely you'll get a hotel now, and if you do find one they often have a 2 night minimum stay. I've run the marathon three times and my family have brought the kids - but youngest was maybe 4 or 5. It's less busy on the streets further from the main drag (beach road) but they found it quite hard to move around. You might be better avoiding Brighton and heading to Hove (lots of residential streets) or there's a loop nearer Rottingdesn where u might be able to park and walk up to see her at the 10-12 mile mark

Just realised my reply sounded negative - and I think it's important to you to go. So if I were you, I'd drive to Gatwick and stay there, get a train in the morning. There are marathon route maps online - head for miles 3-5 first, then maybe try the seafront (people might be kind if you have a buggy). If you want to see her at the end, cross over the bridge (or under, near the Grand Hotel) to the seafront side of the road, and stay there. At the end, there's a long walk back for the runners to meet people and my family have always got stuck trying to get over and meet me there, so best to be on that side already. Good luck!

Thanks for your tips @bubblicious3, that’s really helpful. Hope @bloodywhitecat sees them too.

It's really good as a spectator as nowhere near as crowded as London. We don't stay in Brighton, try and get an air bnb in Peacehaven, saktdean, Shoreham or Hove then get the regular bus to Brighton to bring you in on the day. If you're driving down for the day, again park out of town at one of these places and get the bus into Brighton. Parking will be hidious in Brighton. Download the Brighton marathon app, really easy to use, you can follow whoever you want and track them, good vantage points to see a runner and stay quite central are the pavilion (twice in about 30 mins or so), then marine parade about 1hr later, then finishing line. Easy to be close to the finishing line. Are your dc in a double buggy? Obviously going to easier for you to stay off the beach with it. Take a bike lock to lock it up on the parade so you can take them on foot down to the beach. Good luck to your dd.

Just to add in, Haywards Heath is closer to Brighton and probably will be cheaper to park in than Gatwick. There's a big premier inn right next door to the train station, I think they suggest the station parking if you stay there (15-20min down to Brighton). Parking in Brighton is basically paid everywhere until you get a long way out. Roughly £5 for two hours in Hove. The different streets are all on the council site with parking rates.

Brighton does get very busy but it isn't hard to navigate and the station is in the town.I second staying a little way away with easy train access eg Lewes or a coastal town.

Very busy with lots of road closures. Accommodation at a premium as well

@OverByYer

Very busy with lots of road closures. Accommodation at a premium as well

The OP desperately wants to support her dd, so probably best to give practical advice to help her do this rather than put her off. I've attended this event 4 times alone with small dc. It's totally fine with some planning.

You could always come and stay in Eastbourne, and train in (takes 30 minutes). It’s much cheaper here, and you can park in a multi story or the station car park. I want to say it’s about £6 for 24 hours in the long stay bit. I have mobility issues so I’m more conscious of it but Brighton train station is at the top of the hill in Brighton but it is close to everything. I think I would double buggy, train and then plonk yourselves near the end somewhere, take a picnic, blanket and stay there until DD is done. I think it’ll be easier than trying to get from one bit to another. Do you have another DD/DD who can come with you and help with the babies? Or a friend?

Oh and I should have said- I’m so sorry for your loss. I admire you so much for even thinking about travelling with two babies and supporting your DD. You are magnificent

It will be crazy busy, lots of roads shut off etc, it’s a little late to book accommodation, but if you do, book further outside ofBrighton, Gatwick,
Lewes is only 15mins into Brighton Station. Hayward’s Heath a bit further a field, and get the train. Do not even attempt to drive into Brighton on the day, it will be so frustrating, also parking in central Brighton is £££.

Fabulous idea to go, could anyone have the babies overnight for you, it would make the trip easier and give some time just for you & your DD. Good luck.

Thank you everyone there is some really good advice here. I'd rather take the kids with me, the eldest is almost 2, he's been with us (me) since he was a tiny baby (we are foster parents) and he is really feeling the loss of the only man he knew as a father figure. The one person he is happy staying with is my DD and she's the one running the marathon.

I've sent you a message

Hi @bloodywhitecat what did you decide to do? Wishing your dd all the very best for a good run, the weather looks good if a little blustery. I hope it all works out well for you

How did you get on OP? Sorry to bump your old thread but I'm coming down next weekend to support DD and am very stressed about where to park.