Trail running event organiser, Maverick Race, has announced the Brighton Trail Marathon, a new event that will feature a combined trail and road marathon finish.
The 2026 Brighton Trail Marathon, which takes place on Sunday, April 12, will be the first of its kind in the UK. It will feature 36km of trail running in the South Downs in South East England before its 1,500 participants join the final 6km of the Brighton Marathon, the UK’s third-largest marathon.
Ben MacWilliam, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Maverick Race, said “Trail running is more popular than ever but at Maverick we are always looking at ways we can innovate, and the Brighton Trail Marathon is unlike anything the UK has seen before.”
He added, “By combining the joy of running off-road in the spectacular South Downs with the electric atmosphere of the Brighton Marathon finish, we will create an experience that will be totally unique in British running.”
The trail marathon will start in the hills of Stanmer Park and follow an off-road route across the South Downs before joining the Brighton Marathon route on the seafront.
For the final 6km, participants will be met by the crowds of the Brighton Marathon, before reaching the finish line at Hove Lawns.
Entry to the Brighton Trail Marathon costs £79 per person.
The day before the marathon, on Saturday, April 11, Maverick Race will also host The Maverick East Sussex Trail event, which will feature half marathon, 13km, and 5km options solely on the trails of the South Downs.
The Brighton Marathon, Brighton and Hove 10K, and Brighton Miles are organised by London Marathon Events and are part of the Brighton Marathon Weekend, which runs from April 11–12, 2026.
Brooks Running has been named the Official Shoe and Apparel partner for both the Brighton Trail Marathon and the Brighton Marathon Weekend.
www.maverick-race.com/brighton-trail-marathon
www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/brighton-marathon-weekend
