The Brighton Marathon organisers issued a public apology after it was revealed that the course for the 2021 event was 568 metres (approximately 0.35 miles) longer than the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles.
This discrepancy was attributed to a “human error” during the setup, where a cone marking a turning point was placed incorrectly, leading to the additional distance.
The marathon took place on Sunday, with over 7,500 participants starting from Preston Park and finishing near Brighton Pier.
The organisers acknowledged the mistake only after the race had commenced, making it impossible to rectify the course during the event. They expressed disappointment over the error and hoped it did not diminish the experience for the runners.
Despite the course being longer, the event was hailed as a successful comeback after an 18-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisers raised over £3.4 million for charitable causes.
This incident follows a previous controversy in 2017, when the Brighton Half Marathon was found to be 146 metres short, leading to calls for refunds or discounts from participants whose personal best times were affected.
In response to the 2021 marathon error, organisers adjusted the official results to account for the extra distance, ensuring that qualifying times and rankings were accurately reflected.
While some runners expressed frustration over the additional distance, many took to social media to share their experiences, with some humourously referring to the race as an “ultra marathon.”
In conclusion, the Brighton Marathon organisers have taken responsibility for the course measurement error, apologised to participants, and implemented measures to ensure the integrity of the race results.
Despite the setback, the event was largely considered a success, highlighting the resilience of both organisers and participants in the face of unforeseen challenges.
