Brighton's entry policy — the full picture
Brighton Marathon's General Conditions of Entry are unambiguous. Entries are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-deferrable. There is no mechanism — official or otherwise — to pass your place to another runner, recover your entry fee, or move your place to a future year.
This makes Brighton the strictest major UK marathon for entry policy. Unlike London Marathon, which offers deferral for ballot runners, or Edinburgh, which operates an official person-to-person transfer portal, Brighton offers nothing.
Entry policies can change between years. The information above reflects Brighton Marathon's established policy — always check the current General Conditions of Entry on the official Brighton Marathon website before making any decisions.
Charity place holders
If you hold a charity place rather than a ballot or general entry, your situation is more nuanced. The race's no-transfer, no-deferral policy applies to the place itself — but your charity relationship is separate, and many charities have processes for runners who withdraw.
Contact your charity as soon as you know you can't race. Early notice gives them the most options. Depending on the charity:
- Some allow a replacement runner to take your place, keeping the fundraising for the charity's 2027 campaign
- Some will carry your fundraising total to a 2028 Brighton entry or a different race
- Most require you to have raised a minimum percentage of your target before any flexibility is offered
- Sponsorship money already donated typically stays with the charity regardless of whether you run
The closer to race day you withdraw, the fewer options your charity has. If you know in January that you won't be running in April, tell them immediately — a replacement runner found in January can fundraise properly. Found in March, there's almost no time.
Compassionate exceptions
Major sporting events occasionally make exceptions outside their published policy for genuinely serious circumstances — serious medical emergencies, bereavement, or pregnancy complications that go beyond standard terms. Brighton Marathon has no published compassionate process, but it costs nothing to contact the race organisers directly with your situation.
There is no guarantee, and you should not assume an exception will be made. But if your circumstances are genuinely serious and documented, a direct, polite email to the event team explaining the situation is always worth sending before accepting the loss.
Unofficial bib swaps — why to avoid them
Running Facebook groups and forums sometimes facilitate unofficial bib swaps for races that don't permit them officially. The temptation when you've lost an entry fee is understandable. But for Brighton specifically, it's not worth it.
Your bib contains your identity, medical information, and emergency contact details. The runner wearing it is racing under your name. If they suffer a medical emergency, the wrong person gets called. If they're disqualified or banned for any reason, that ban is against your name. And if the swap is discovered — race organisers do check — both parties face disqualification and future entry bans.
The risks of unofficial bib transfers are real regardless of the race. For a race where the entry fee loss is already sunk, compounding it with a ban from future Brighton Marathons is a poor trade.
Best Plan B races in the UK for 2027
If your training is already done, the right move is to redirect it to a race that still has entries. Brighton's April date aligns with several strong UK spring marathons.
The strongest Plan B available if your Brighton training is complete. Manchester falls one week before Brighton, meaning your peak training timing aligns almost perfectly. It's England's second-biggest marathon — flat, fast, and with crowd support that genuinely rivals London. Entries open in April and sell out in minutes. Full Manchester Marathon guide →
Scotland's biggest running event and one of the UK's best marathon experiences — fast, flat course from Musselburgh with spectacular scenery. The late-May date gives you several weeks of additional training after a Brighton injury, making it a strong option if you're recovering rather than fully sidelined. Edinburgh Marathon transfer and entry guide →
The biggest marathon in the UK, but entry is extremely limited if you don't have a ballot place. Charity places are available — start contacting charities now. If you already have a London place and were also doing Brighton as a tune-up, you already have your Plan B. Can't run London either? Options guide →
If spring is lost due to injury and recovery takes longer than expected, the Bournemouth Marathon in October gives you a full summer training block. Coastal flat course, well-organised, and typically has entries available longer than spring marathons. Good for runners who need time to properly recover before attempting a full marathon build.
Getting back into Brighton for 2028
Brighton Marathon operates direct entry — first-come, first-served, not a ballot. Entries typically open in the spring after the current year's race (i.e. 2028 entries will open shortly after the 2027 race in April). They sell out quickly, but with notice you can be ready.
- Sign up to the Brighton Marathon mailing list for entry opening notifications
- Set a calendar reminder for mid-to-late April 2027 — that's when 2028 entries are expected to open
- Have your payment details ready before entry opens — the window can be very short
Still need a race?
BibBuddy connects runners with legitimate entry options — from race stays near UK marathon start lines to community bib exchanges for races that permit official transfers.
Explore BibBuddy →Frequently asked questions
No. Brighton Marathon does not permit person-to-person transfers. Unofficial swaps are against race rules and carry the risk of disqualification and a future entry ban for both parties.
No. There is no deferral programme. Unlike London Marathon, Brighton offers no mechanism to carry your entry to a future year.
Your entry is forfeited — same outcome as withdrawing. A DNS (did not start) carries no additional penalties beyond the loss of your entry fee. You can enter future Brighton Marathons without any restriction on your eligibility.
Possibly — contact your charity directly as soon as possible. Many charities can arrange a replacement runner or carry your fundraising to a future year. The earlier you notify them, the more options they have.
The adidas Manchester Marathon on 13 April 2027 — one week before Brighton — is the strongest Plan B if your training is on track. Your training peak aligns perfectly with the date. Full Manchester Marathon guide →