Brighton Marathon launches new trail running event

Maverick Race is launching its trail marathon event which it says is the first of its kind in the UK

A new race at the next Brighton Marathon will see participants run across the South Downs before merging with the traditional route to finish in Hove.

The Brighton Trail Marathon starts at Stanmer Park and follows an off-road route across the Downs until the final 3.7 miles (6km) where the runners head along the seafront.

The trail marathon will begin half an hour before the conventional race and some 1,500 people are expected to take part.

Co-organiser Maverick Race said the event, on 12 April, would be the first of its kind in the UK.

Ben MacWilliam, CEO of Maverick Race, said: "Trail running is more popular than ever but at Maverick we are always looking at ways we can innovate."

Maverick will also host The Maverick East Sussex Trail event on 11 April, where runners can take on a 3.1 mile (5km), 8 mile (13km) or half marathon challenge across the Downs.

More than 12,500 people took part in the Brighton Marathon in April, in its 15th year.