Brighton Half Marathon 2026 Results: Jamaal Defends Title as 10,000 Runners Brave the Storm

The 36th Altra Brighton Half Marathon took place on Sunday, 1 March 2026, delivering dramatic racing in challenging conditions as over 10,000 runners took to the streets of Brighton and Hove — a record for the event. Despite gusts reaching 30 mph and persistent rain, the elite fields produced outstanding performances across all categories.

The race was started by BAFTA-nominated actor and singer Olly Alexander, who also ran for Team Beacon to raise funds for the Sussex Beacon — Brighton’s specialist HIV charity and the main beneficiary of the race.

Men’s Race Results: Seyfu Jamaal Makes It Back-to-Back Wins

Seyfu Jamaal of London Heathside, the defending champion and course record holder, powered through the wind and rain to claim his second consecutive Brighton Half Marathon title. Jamaal crossed the line in 1:05:28, a commanding performance given the brutal conditions on the exposed seafront sections.

Organisers had predicted one of the most competitive men’s fields in recent years, with four of the top five from 2025 returning, and the race did not disappoint. Oluwatosin Adedeji of Newham & Essex Beagles ran a strong race to finish second in 1:06:21, while Reuben Hoyte secured a popular third-place finish in 1:06:41 — the first Brighton-born runner across the line. Hoyte moved up two spots from his fifth-place debut in 2025, calling the podium finish his primary goal heading into the race.

Men’s Half Marathon — Top 3

Women’s Race Results: Maisie Trafford Claims Stunning Victory

With 2025 champion Christa Cain unavailable, the women’s race was wide open — and Maisie Trafford seized the opportunity in style. Trafford crossed the finish line on Hove Lawns in 1:17:32, returning to the Brighton Half podium for the first time since finishing third six years ago. She later described the win as unexpected, saying her biggest focus had been running her own race without worrying about the competition.

Ruby Whyte-Wilding of Lewes AC took second place in 1:18:14, with Lucy Lavender rounding out the podium in 1:18:44. The tight margins between the top three — just 72 seconds separating first from third — underlined the quality and depth of the women’s field.

Women’s Half Marathon — Top 3

Wheelchair Race Results: Hickinbottom and Burrough Triumph

The Yeomans Toyota Wheelchair Race kicked off the day at 9:28 am, two minutes ahead of the main field, and featured a record 10 entries — double the number from when the category was introduced in 2017.

Josh Hickinbottom of Coventry Godiva Harriers defended his 2025 title with a winning time of 1:04:57. Liam Coffill of the Weir Archer Academy followed in second at 1:09:48, with Rob Smith completing the men’s podium in 1:20:08.

In the women’s wheelchair race, Claudia Burrough of the Weir Archer Academy made a triumphant return to Brighton after a two-year injury layoff, winning in 1:10:38 — her second Brighton title after previously winning in 2024. Mel Nicholls pushed her close, finishing in 1:11:55, while Roz Delap took third in 1:39:54.

Men’s Wheelchair Race — Top 3

Women’s Wheelchair Race — Top 3

Course and Conditions: A True Test of Grit

The 2026 edition started on Hove Lawns before sweeping east along Brighton seafront past the i360 and Brighton Palace Pier, then heading north past the Royal Pavilion and out to the exposed cliff tops of East Brighton. Runners then looped back via Madeira Drive, past Hove Lagoon and the iconic colourful beach huts before finishing back on Hove Lawns.

While Saturday’s Youth Races enjoyed sunshine, Sunday’s main event was a different story entirely. Persistent rain and wind gusts reaching 30 mph battered the field throughout, making the seafront and cliff-top sections particularly brutal. Race Director Martin Harrigan praised the resilience of runners, volunteers, and supporters, hailing the event as a major success despite the weather.

Charity Impact and Community Spirit

The Brighton Half Marathon remains one of the UK’s biggest charity running events, raising around £1 million annually for a range of organisations. The Sussex Beacon — which provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV — is the primary beneficiary, with the race serving as the charity’s single biggest annual fundraiser. Other partner charities include Grassroots Suicide Prevention, Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer’s Society, Alcohol Change UK, and Taylor-Made Dreams.

Among the thousands of charity runners were standout moments of creativity — including doctors from across the country who ran dressed as a herd of cows, and siblings Simeon and Jasper Superville who completed the course in a Slinky Dog costume from Toy Story to raise awareness for Grassroots Suicide Prevention.

Key Takeaways from Brighton Half Marathon 2026

• Record participation: Over 10,000 runners made the 36th edition the biggest in the race’s history.
• Jamaal dominance: Seyfu Jamaal’s back-to-back victories and course record holder status make him the man to beat going forward.
• Women’s race depth: Just 72 seconds separated the top three women, showcasing the competitive strength of the field.
• Wheelchair race growth: Record entries (10 athletes) signal healthy growth for the Yeomans Toyota Wheelchair Race since its 2017 introduction.
• Burrough’s comeback: Claudia Burrough’s return from a two-year injury layoff to win the women’s wheelchair title was one of the day’s most inspiring stories.

Full official results including all finishers, the charity relay, and wheelchair race are available on the Brighton Half Marathon results page.