The Brighton Trail Marathon
Take on a 42km off-road challenge as you tackle the trails of the South Downs. You'll run through woodland walkways, chalky tracks, and farmland paths, not to mention a stint up Ditchling Beacon - the highest point in East Sussex. Towards the finish, runners will merge with the Brighton Marathon for the final push into Hove Lawns.
The Brighton Trail Marathon
Sunday 4 April 2027 | Stanmer Park
Back for a second year, the Maverick Trail to Road Marathon returns to once again unite two worlds of running - where the raw freedom of the trails meets the electric energy of a world-class city marathon finish.
Your journey begins in the rolling hills and woodland trails of Stanmer Park - Brighton’s gateway to adventure. From the very first step, you’re immersed in classic South Downs terrain: twisting singletrack, open chalk ridgelines, and sweeping valley views that set the tone for everything to come. It’s a proper trail runner’s opening act - wild, varied, and beautifully unforgiving in places.
From there, the route unfolds across the South Downs National Park, linking rugged countryside trails with flowing descents and testing climbs. Every mile delivers something different - quiet woodland sections, exposed hillside paths, and that unmistakable sense of space that only the Downs can offer.
And then comes one of the defining moments of the day: Ditchling Beacon.
The highest point in East Sussex becomes your own personal hill climb challenge. With the road closed exclusively for the event, this iconic ascent is yours to attack. Bring the energy, embrace the atmosphere, and see if you’ve got what it takes to be the quickest to the top. Legs burning, lungs working overtime, crowds lifting you upwards - this is a moment that will live long in the memory.
But the day is far from over.
Beyond the Beacon, the route continues to wind across the Downs, serving up more flowing trails, open views, and undulating terrain before gradually drawing you back towards the city. It’s a section that rewards patience and strong pacing—where the beauty of the landscape contrasts perfectly with the challenge building in your legs.
Then comes the shift.
As you transition from trail to tarmac, you merge seamlessly onto the Brighton Marathon course for the final 6km—joining thousands of road runners and stepping straight into the unmistakable buzz of Brighton Marathon weekend. The atmosphere builds with every stride as you leave the hills behind and head toward the coast, where the crowds grow louder and the city comes alive around you.
The finish on Hove Lawns is nothing short of unforgettable. Spectators line the seafront, the noise carries you home, and the festival energy of Brighton Marathon weekend takes over completely. It’s a finish line that stays with you long after the day is done.
This isn’t just another marathon. It’s a collision of two disciplines - solitude and spectacle, grit and celebration -brought together in one truly unique race experience.
Be part of something genuinely one-of-a-kind -the UK’s original trail-to-road marathon.
Venue Opens: 07:00am
Check in: 07:00am
Start time: 09:15am - 09:30am
Price: £79 per person
Enter any 3 races from any series, or 3 entries into this event, and get 20% off.
Online entry closes on Tuesday, 30th March 2027 at 11:00am.
All entries are subject to a small booking fee.
Participants must be over 18 years old.
What You Get At The Brighton Trail Marathon
Pay & Display Parking
Fully Marked Course
Precision Fuel & Hydration Fueling Stations
Fully Timed
Online Results
On Course Event Photography
* Finish line photos purchasable*
Food and Drink Available
Drop Bag Service
Finishers Medal
Transport from Finish line back to the Start
More Information
As a guide you should always:
• Follow the on course signage
• Listen to on course marshals
• Take care when crossing roads
• Be considerate to others
• Please close all gates, DO NOT litter!
RACE PACK
Race packs will be posted to all those signed up before 15th March with a UK address and will arrive with runners between 2nd March and 2nd April.
Those who enter on or after 15th March and International runners, will need to collect their race pack on:
Friday 2nd April between 10:00 - 18:00 - Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Brighton BN1 2FU
OR
Saturday 3rd April between 10:00 - 17:00 - Preston Park
BAG DROP SERVICE
If you would like to have a bag waiting for you when you finish, please use the Maverick drop bag provided to you in your race pack. You must hand this bag to the Maverick team at the Start venue in Stanmer Park, before you enter the Start funnel on the Sunday morning. It will be waiting for you within the Brighton Marathon Finish area.
OUTPOSTS
There will be 3 Outposts (Feed-stations) on the route. These will be at approximately 12km, 22km and 37km. The outposts are designed to act as a top-up for what you are already carrying. There will be a range of sweet & savoury snacks (fruit, cake, crisps) as well as gels and electrolyte drinks at most of the outposts.
There will not be pre-filled water cups available at the outpost. Please have your reusable cup or bottle ready when you arrive and make use of our self-serve water barrels.
There will be toilets at the event start/finish area and at the outposts on the route.
Please note the Outposts are no suitable for spectators. We encourage spectators to head to Brighton seafront on foot , to cheer runners for the final 6km.
CUT OFF
Below you can find the cut off time for each outposts, aiming to complete the route in 6hr30:
OP1 - Ditchling Beacon (12km) - 11:15
OP2 - Housedean Farm (22km) - 12:45
OP3 - Black Rock (37km) - 15:05
Trail runners passing OP3 at 37km (Black Rock) after 15:05, will still be able to complete the run but it will be along the pavement rather than the road.
SHUTTLE BUSES
Shuttle buses will be running approximately every 5 minutes (from 1:30pm to 6:30pm) to transport runners back from the finish line https://what3words.com/fool.heads.laying
The nearest drop-off point to the start is Falmer https://what3words.com/areas.summer.gums
HEADPHONES
We strongly recommend not wearing headphones at this event, but if you do want to listen to your tunes whilst on the trials, we recommend bone conduction headphones.
TRANSFERS
If you need to transfer out from this event, you can do this via your Let's Do This account. You can't transfer if the event has sold out.
The last day to transfer out of this event is the 14th March. After this date, your pack will have been posted, and we are unable to transfer you. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions to read more about Transfers.
Essential Kit
YOU MUST BRING:
• Waterproof jacket
• 1 litre of water
• 800 calories
• Mobile phone
• GPX of the route
• Re-useable cup
Bring Your Own Cup
In an effort to keep our trails clean and preserve the nature around us, we’re aiming to keep our outposts cup-free. Please bring a cup or bottle to re-fill.
Getting to The Brighton Trail Marathon
There is pay & display parking within the University of Sussex (Falmer campus). Each runner is responsible for paying for their parking, using the PayByPhone app. Please see below for the list of car parks, along with PayByPhone location IDs:
P7 Jubilee multi-storey – location 800850
P4 Sussex House – location 800803
P5 Sports Centre – location 800720
P6 Ridge car park - location 805953
P10 Falmer Sports Complex – location 800804
If traveling by car and using the above car parks, please allow an extra 15-20min to walk from your car to the event area.
Nearest Station: Falmer (5-10 minute walk to start venue)
Southern Railway: London Victoria - Falmer
Journey Time: Approx 1hr 20mins
City Cabs Brighton
01273 205 205
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The Maverick Brighton Trail Marathon is proudly sponsored by:
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