With spring bursting into life and the evenings getting lighter, it’s such a wonderful time of year to get back into running condition, especially with Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend around the corner.

Recently featured by Runner’s World in ‘21 amazing UK marathons that aren’t in London’, the event has proved successful each year, with over 1,400 people running in 2018. There are changes afoot this year with new routes for both the East Grinstead and Haywards Heath 10 Mile races. Event Director Simon Adby explains: “The East Grinstead route has been changed slightly to improve the runner experience. The Network Rail works taking place in Ashenground Woods have resulted in a revised Haywards Heath route for this year. Fortunately finding alternative paths was straightforward, so regular participants will not notice much of a difference.”

Appealing to elite, club and first time runners the three-day event hosts nine events over the weekend, including the feature two ten mile races in both East Grinstead and Haywards Heath and the ten kilometre in Burgess Hill. All three combine to cover a total of 26.2 miles – the distance of a marathon. There will also be a family Fun Run and timed junior mile race on each day of the weekend, making it ideal for people of all ages and abilities to take part in.

Residents of Haywards Heath and Bolnore Village should note that on Sunday 5th May there will be a 20-minute (10:25-10:45am) road closure on South Road.

The route will take runners from Victoria Park via Ashenground and Bolnore Woods through Beech Hurst Gardens and into Bolnore Village. Traffic maybe stopped by marshals to let runners across roads, particularly where the footpath crosses Trubwick Avenue and Renfields. Car users are encouraged to leave plenty of time to allow for slight delays, which marshals will aim to minimise.

Event organisers are still looking for more volunteers over the weekend to assist with marshalling of the routes. If you are able to help out between 9am and 1pm on any day then please contact organisers via: www.midsussexmarathon.co.uk