18 January 2016

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

The fifth Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend has been confirmed for the May Bank Holiday weekend of 2016, presenting a great opportunity for a New Year challenge!

Whether you are taking up running, starting a new health and fitness regime, seeking to raise money for a cause close to your heart, or are a seasoned runner looking for a different challenge, Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend offers something for everyone.

Participants will once again be traversing the Mid Sussex countryside over all three days of the May Bank Holiday weekend. We are delighted the 2016 races will be hosted again at the 2015 venues, so the superb facilities of East Grinstead Rugby Club will be the venue for a 10-mile cross-country race on Saturday 30^th April. Phil Major (Operations Director, East Grinstead Rugby Club) said: “East Grinstead Rugby Club is a community orientated club so when the event was seeking a new venue last year we were only too pleased to help. It was a great success with participants able to benefit from our facilities and the club able to raise some funds by selling refreshments so we are looking forward to the event returning later this year, when I hope to persuade more of our members to be taking part this time around.”

Sunday 1^st May sees the event move to Victoria Park, Haywards Heath for a 10-mile race, a course covering footpaths and roads, which will be a part of the Sussex Grand Prix calendar.

The event finishes in Burgess Hill on Monday 2^nd May, over a 10-kilometre course that will consist of roads and the Batchelor Farm fields. Following the success of 2015 the final leg will return to Oakmeeds Community College and Woodlands Meed School. Chris Markham (Contract Manager – Mid Sussex, Places for People Leisure Management Ltd.) said: “Having kindly stepped in last year as event hosts, in response to an eleventh hour enforced route change, we are extremely pleased to be returning to Oakmeeds Community College in 2016.  We are also very grateful for the involvement of Woodlands Meed School who also play a significant role in this event by granting us access to their car park from the Oakmeeds playing field. This allows us to use our usual race route that has proved very popular with participants in previous years.”

The event has consistently attracted over 1,000 participants each year and the event organisers are hoping to make it bigger and better in 2016. Event Director Simon Adby said: “We relish the challenge of managing the Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend and are delighted to be involved in such a prestigious community event. Participants can enter one, two or all three of the main races and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each race. Those choosing to run all three days will complete the full marathon distance, which will be a stern test of endurance over three days that we recognise by presenting a goody pack to all finishers as well as awarding prizes to the top placed runners. Additionally we will also be staging the Mid Sussex Mile fun run races before each of the main races. The fun runs present an opportunity for juniors and adults to be part of the weekend event over the shorter 1-mile distance, set within the boundaries of our host venues.”

You don’t need to run in the event to be involved as volunteer support will be required each day to assist with marshalling of the routes. Councillor Pru Moore (Cabinet Member for Leisure and Sustainability, Mid Sussex District Council) said: “Volunteers are the foundation of all community events, especially the Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend. We are extremely grateful to the willing volunteers who are prepared to give us half a day of their time. The volunteer contribution cannot be underestimated as it truly enhances the event. They are the unsung heroes, without whose help this event, and many others like it, would not be possible.”

Alongside volunteers, event organisers are also seeking local business partners who are interested in becoming event sponsors or providing race prizes. Simon Adby said: “This is a great opportunity for local businesses to become involved in a community event. All support will not only enable us to stage the event but also provide all participants with a memorable experience. Any surpluses made from race entries will be invested by the District and Town Councils into local sporting causes so the wider community will benefit from a successful event.”

Those wishing to be involved in the Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend 2016 as either a participant, volunteer or sponsor partner should refer to the event website: www.midsussexmarathon.co.uk. The website contains all event information, including entry forms and organiser contact details.