Brighton Marathon parking

[Axx]

DD and her friend are running in this next Sunday and I'm going along to cheer her on

Do any locals know where best to park? I'm happy to use park and ride if that's best. Closest hotel o could get was Eastbourne so coming from that direction.

Thanks very much. She was a late entry through a charity so it's a bit last minute.

Marina - its close to the finish line and has a huge car park.

It's great, and it always feels like you've won the 'impossible Brighton parking competition', every time. It's easier to do than paying for the official marathon parking and bus in! And you don't have to be subjected to men getting out of the bus and peeing in a hedge whilst you're on the journey...

You could park in peacehaven or Saltdean and get the 12 bus only about 20 mins, there's free car parks and on street parking. There are some roadworks at Rottingdean but it shouldn't be too bad early and there's a bus lane from peacehaven to Brighton.

Its time limited though so you could get a ticket.

Thing is hundreds of other people will be wanting to park as well, it could get stressful.

Often when is big event on in Brighton the 12/13x route changes and uses the A27, so don’t assume you could catch the 12 further on in the route, check the Brighton buses website they often post about changes in services.

It's worked for me where I've suggested many times, and for friends coming to visit when I'm running.

There are cheap hostels in Brighton where you can get a bed in a dorm the night before the race - I have run Brighton many times, and always have had to stay over the night before as there was no other realistic option for getting to the starting line on time

Surely that just depends on how far you're coming from though? If you can drive to a space that's 10 minute's bus journey from the start, then it's about the length of your journey in, not the parking issue.

These are all chock a block now. Even the cheapest hotel is over £250 a night.

I wish she'd got a place at the London one

I wouldn't park in Brighton on a "normal" day let alone when the Marathon's on. Take the train. Even at an hour and 20 mins it will probably be quicker and less stressful.

just had a quick look, there are still beds in mixed dorms in back packers hostels

airbnb too

Thank you, I'll tell her to have another look, that might be best then I only have myself to sort.

That's a bit grim when you're an adult! Who the fuck wants to sleep in a mixed dorm anyway.

Its a case of take what is available, isn't it, especially when left so late. And no, it is not particularly grim, you are likely to be sharing with other runners, and it can be fun. Also, once we got two beds in a 4 bed dorm and the others never turned up anyway, so we had the room to ourselves.

Unfortunately Brighton is notorious for getting to the start line, and getting away after. The trains are inadequate, and unreliable. Staying over before hand is the norm. And at this late stage, looking for something cheap isn't going to leave you with many options

Again parking at Lewes train station is plentiful, on street parking and council car parks in Lewes are pricey and can be tricky but the train station is easy if you're willing to pay.

@malachitegreen Where have you got the information that 'staying over is the norm'? Everyone I've ever spoken to has told me that you can't unless you book months and months in advance, and so they travel in. Since I moved out of Brighton, I've always travelled in and never been late to the start line.

It all sounds a bit dramatic, the way you're putting it. You can just drive in, park outside the parking zones, and get a bus in, with no drama at all.

When we have been to Brighton we tend to park in Hove, opposite the town hall, and walk in from there. Takes about 15 mins.

You can also park on the north side of Aldrington station and get a bus or train in. That's further away than east Brighton though, for the marathon.

I got the information from multiple times running the marathon, and staying over, but I don't drive, so maybe there are other options if you drive. There was no way of getting there on time through public transport. I have obviously spent the night before with many others staying over , every time. And chatted to others during and after the event - especially while trying to get a train home! Which are like cattle trucks, if you can get on one at all.

That is where I get the impression that staying over is the norm

I am running 4 marathons in the next 2 months in different locations, in the south, where I can reach the starting line easily through public transport. I wouldn't say it is the norm with all marathons, but certainly was always the only ever option for us with Brighton

There are still hostel beds in mixed dorms available

Do you drive, @Axx ?

Park and ride on Race Hill?

I think this is our best option, someone else has said parking there is an issue but I think we will try it.

DD not keen on a hostel.