About Brighton

Sometimes referred to as “London by the Sea,” Brighton was developed as a holiday spot in Georgian and Victorian times. It was known for the refreshing and invigorating properties of its sea air and many took to its beachfront promenades to partake of this famous fresh air. Well, take a deep breath of it as there will be plenty in store for you when you embark with us on the Brighton Rat Race!

From our event village next to the Palace Pier, you will see a good deal of what Brighton has to offer. It’s a surprising place in all manner of ways; many of its grand seafront facades have been lovingly restored in recent years, responding to nature’s forces where the sea air had nibbled away at their Regency grandeur. The North Laines hold a myriad hodge-podge of delights, from café culture to Brit pop treats and looking up to the chalk cliffs above the yachts and speed boats at Brighton Marina reminds you of exactly where you are; the South coast of England. Next stop – France!

Brighton is all about having fun and the “happy-go-lucky” feel of the city belies its grand architecture, some of which is not even visible to the naked eye, with some of the finest Victorian sewers running for dozens of miles under the city. Who knows if you will see them – it is the Rat Race after all! Then of course there is the pizzazz of the Palace Pier with its gift shops, roller-coasters, candy floss and England’s favourite sweet toothed treat, Brighton Rock! A mile or so down the beach are the eerie ruins of the West Pier with its flocks of seagulls and other bird life circling the abandoned structures. The Royal Pavilion is a sight to behold and looks as if it would feel more at home in Bombay! But this is Brighton and anything goes; eclectic, gawdy, nude and rude, grand and atmospheric. All words that can describe the city – but none of them do it justice on their own.

Also famous for Beach huts, bloomers, art deco, white chalk cliffs and rolling picturesque Downs all around, the city is visually active in character with joggers, bikers and roller bladders vying for space up and down the Seafront promenade, which runs all the way from the Marina, along the grand terraces of Madeira Drive and down Brighton Seafront to Hove and beyond. Along the coast to the West the quaint houseboats of Shoreham-on-Sea bob up and down on the tide in the basin of the river Adur while Shoreham airport nestles in the countryside behind, with its polished veneer of brass and mahogany inside the tooth-white Battle of Britain art deco terminal building.

The Sea is the big draw here and you will be going in it at some point during the event! Whether this is resplendent in your finest figure-hugging Speedos or with full gear onboard your kayak we won’t tell you yet but rest assured, you will have sand in your socks at the end of this adventure!