'Flamingos, bands and striders' ready for marathon

Thousands of people are preparing for this weekend's Brighton Marathon.

More than 20,000 competitors are expected in the 26 mile contest around the East Sussex city.

Patty Walters and Ben Biss, from the band As It Is, told the BBC they are planning to stop halfway while running the marathon to play a song at the Bandstand.

"It was too much of a ridiculous idea to say no to," said Walters. "We are going to find out what it will be like on the day."

Biss, who lives in Brighton, added that he had no running experience before getting ready for this year's contest.

"I have a very poor relationship with exercise - this is one of the reasons why I wanted to do the marathon this year."

"I am feeling nervous and excited," he continued.

"The idea of running eight miles after playing a song is wild to me."

The pair, who will be joined by bandmates from Sheffield and Bath, added their instruments will be stashed at the Bandstand.

Lisa Jackson, from Worthing, said the upcoming race in Brighton would be her 110th marathon.

She called herself a "slow runner" and added her claim to fame was coming last in 25 of them.

"I am a very big proponent of walk-running."

Jackson - who said she would compete in a flamingo hat and skirt - said last year she did the Brighton race in just over seven hours, though she reckons it will take longer this year as she is injured.

"I am hoping for the best."

She added that running had given her purpose during her late husband Graham's terminal illness - and continued to do so.

Jackson told BBC Radio Sussex she loved the Brighton Marathon as it was "really inclusive".

"They do not have an official cut-off and will try and help you get across that finish line in whatever way they can.

"It is a brutal world out there if you are slow," Jackson continued.

She urged anyone who was thinking of competing but scared about not finishing to "have a go".

"You can always pull out. You're not going to be left out in the middle of nowhere up a mountain or something."

Victoria Maleski, who chairs the Seaford Striders running club, said she was "taking it easy" ahead of the race.

But she added she was "working up mentally".

Maleski said 52 of the club's members - 20 of whom were first-timers - would be running on the Sunday to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

"I was not a runner then," she said. "But what a legacy they have left for us".

The 65-year-old told the BBC she started running nine years ago through the couch to 5K.

She added the exercise plan could "make such a difference to people's lives".

"It is wonderful to see people's lack of belief in themselves turn into such pride".

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