London Marathon Events (LME), the world-leading mass participation events company, will take over the Brighton Marathon, which is one of the UK’s largest marathons and has raised large sums for charities.
LME has stepped in to save the event after Grounded Events Company Limited, the former owners and operators of the Brighton Marathon, went into administration.
Phil Harris and Chris Stevens from specialist business advisory firm FRP were appointed as Joint Administrators to Grounded Events Company Limited on Friday 16 December and immediately completed the sale of the business and assets to LME.
Following discussions between LME, FRP and Brighton and Hove City Council, agreement has now been reached by the Council and LME for a licence to operate the event for the next five years (2023 – 2027) with the option to break the licence in 2025 if specified metrics are not met.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events, said: “We are delighted that London Marathon Events has reached agreement with Brighton and Hove City Council and the Joint Administrators of Grounded Events Company Limited, which means the Brighton Marathon will be saved.
“We want to reassure all runners and charities that LME will honour all the places purchased by individuals and charities and allow them to be used in the 2023 Brighton Marathon and enable them to take part on Sunday 2 April.
“We will reopen entries for the 2023 Brighton Marathon this week so there will be another opportunity for people to take part next April. There will be further announcements in due course about the other events scheduled for the Brighton Marathon Weekend.
“The Brighton Marathon is a fantastic event in a stunning setting. We look forward to working with Brighton and Hove City Council and the community to grow the event over the coming years.”
Co-chair of the council’s Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture Committee, councillor Martin Osborne, said: “The Brighton Marathon has a national and international reputation and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to help recover this event.
“I’d like to thank the officers who have worked diligently and quickly to find a solution that means that participants who have already paid for their place can still take part and the many charities involved can continue to benefit.
“London Marathon Events has experience of running one of the world’s biggest marathons and we look forward to having them bring their expertise to our city."
Phil Harris, Director at FRP and Joint Administrator of Grounded Events Company Limited, said: “The Brighton Marathon Weekend is a major fixture in the city’s sporting, economic and cultural calendar. This deal provides a future for the Brighton Marathon with a globally recognised mass participation events organiser. We wish the team all the best in the future.”
With LME taking over the Brighton Marathon Weekend, organisations and projects that inspire activity in Brighton and Hove may benefit from funding from The London Marathon Charitable Trust (The Trust), the parent charity of LME. Further details will be announced by The Trust in the New Year. Read about the work of The Trust here.
