Runners raise money for Seagulls’ charity by racing around the Amex Stadium
More than 100 runners took part in what is believed to be the first ever marathon run around a Premier League football club’s stadium.
Local running company Sussex Trail Events linked up with Brighton & Hove Albion’s official charity, Albion in the Community (AITC), for the unusual race, which saw runners tackle 62 laps of the American Express Community Stadium.
The marathon was won by Dan Lawson, with Paul Sargent in second and Adrian Scott in third.
Participants were also given the option of completing a half-marathon on the same day, with both distances raising money for AITC.
A total of 130 people completed one of the two challenges, generating more than £2,000 for AITC.
That money will now help fund AITC’s award-winning work throughout Sussex; the charity is now the largest provider of football opportunities for people with a disability and also runs dozens of free football sessions for young people living in areas of deprivation.
The run around the Amex Stadium was the latest in a string of unusual races organised by Sussex Trail Events. Previous runs include the world’s first ever full marathon running up and down a multi-story car park, a marathon on Southend Pier, and a beat the tide event during which runners race the incoming tide.
Jay McCardle, of Sussex Trail Events, said: “Being a local company based in Sussex is was the perfect choice to have the first ever marathon around a Premier League football stadium take place at the Amex and to support AITC.”
Emma Brockhurst, fundraising events executive at AITC, added: “Our fundraising campaign for the 2018/19 season is focused on getting people active so it was fantastic to link up with Sussex Trail Events for this run.
“The money raised by the event will now have a genuine impact on some of the people we work with, so our thanks go to everyone at Sussex Trail Events and, of course, everyone who took part in either the marathon or half marathon.”
AITC has a number of charity places still available for people wanting to take part in the Brighton Marathon, the Brighton Half Marathon, or the BM10K.
For more information, email: fundraising@bhafcfoundation.org.uk.
The image above was taken by Jon Lavis.