Brighton Half Marathon Youth Races

If you’re planning to head down to the seafront for the Brighton Half Marathon weekend, remember that the action actually kicks off a day early with the Brighton Half Marathon Youth Races. These races, sometimes known as the Altra Youth Race, are set for Saturday, February 28, 2026, right before the main event on Sunday, March 1st. The whole thing takes place over at Hove Lawns on Kingsway, which is also where participants need to pick up their race packs that morning. The main Half Marathon is often known for its costumed runners raising money, and the youth event carries that same spirit.

This event is specifically for young runners aged 7 to 17, and the distance is a manageable one mile run along the Hove Prom. Registration costs £10, which covers a few nice perks: a free technical T-shirt, a medal for finishing, and a goodie bag. It’s a straightforward way for kids to get involved in the weekend's atmosphere and experience running in a structured event.

The races run generally between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., but the detailed schedule starts earlier at 12:30 p.m. They break the groups down quite specifically to ensure fair competition. The youngest runners (7-8 year olds) start first around 12:30 p.m., followed by the 9-10 year olds starting at 1:50 p.m. (both categories are separated by gender across multiple heats). Later in the afternoon, the 11-12 year olds run separately (boys at 3:10 p.m., girls at 3:30 p.m.), and finally, the oldest group (13-17 years) runs combined at 3:50 p.m. The official charity partner for the event is Rockinghorse Children's Charity. While their dedicated charity places are already taken, runners can still register normally and use the opportunity to fundraise for them, with a suggested sponsorship goal of £50.