Thousands through the finish line at Brighton Half Marathon 2019

Runners in good spirits as they make their way past Hove beach huts (Photograph: The Grand Brighton Half Marathon)

The sun shone as runners took on the Brighton Half Marathon this morning (February 24).

This year just under 8,000 runners took part in the event, passing several of the city's landmarks along the 13.1-mile route, including the Royal Pavilion, piers and Hove beach huts.

Runners set off in Brighton Half Marathon?

Crowds cheer Brighton Half Marathon runners in Hove

It was the 29th year of the Brighton Half Marathon, organised by HIV charity The Sussex Beacon.

Many of the runners were raising cash for charity, and last year’s event raised around £1 million for good causes.

Charities set to benefit include organisers The Sussex Beacon, children’s hospice Chestnut Tree House, domestic violence charity RISE, mental health charity Mind, and many more.

On the home straight, running past the i360 (Photograph: The Grand Brighton Half Marathon)

Some of the more unusual outfits seen on the course this year included two dinosaurs, Spiderman and two Scooby Doos.

The races

Matt Rees, The Welsh Runner, started the sounding klaxon for the half marathon at 9.30am.

The men’s elite race featured a podium of Pauls - Paul Navesey took first place, setting a new course record in a time of 64 minutes and 56 seconds; followed by last year’s winner and Irish Olympian Paul Pollock, in 66 minutes and 35 seconds; third place went to four times race winner Paul Martelletti in 67 minutes and 6 seconds.

Thousands started the race at Madeira Drive, Brighton (Photograph: The Grand Brighton Half Marathon)

The women’s race was incredibly tight, with Fiona de Mauny storming home in 80 minutes and 26 seconds, narrowly beating Emily Proto, who finished in 80 minutes and 46 seconds. Third place went to Rose Penfold, in a time of 81 minutes and 20 seconds.