Brighton Marathon: London Marathon organiser looking to take over

Councillors organised a meeting from 11am today at Hove Town Hall to try and ensure the 2023 Brighton Marathon goes ahead on April 2 next year.

Brighton and Hove City Council is seeking to license a new operator who is “willing to honour the existing entries from individuals and charities”.

Organisers Grounded Events were still accepting 2023 entries for £80 until November 7 despite filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators on November 1.

• READ MORE: Company behind Brighton Marathon to be sold in bid to secure future of event

The report stated: “Members and officers have met with representatives of Grounded Events Company’s administrators, London Marathon Events and the London Marathon Charitable Trust to examine the potential for LME to take over the running of Brighton Marathon as a result of the recent local business failure.

“Following receipt of an initial proposal from LME, the council responded by putting forward the points it would require LME to meet. These are under negotiation.

“The council has been clear from the outset that it was important for the marathon organisers to pay everyone due money in order to be in a position to grant a licence to operate in 2023.

The council is meeting today to secure the future of Brighton Marathon next year

“At a meeting on November 11, it was made clear to officers that the sale of their assets would not resolve all of the debts. The council withheld landlord’s consent on this basis. At no point to date has Grounded Events received consent to run the 2023 event from the council.”

Grounded Events came under fire in September after The Argus revealed it had not paid this year’s winner, Alix Ramsier, his prize money of £2,000.

Mr Ramsier and other runners have taken the company to the small claims court.

Alix Ramsier, pictured, won the event this year (Image: Simon Dack)

Grounded Events’ full financial accounts published on April 29 this year for the financial year of 2021, which finishes at the end of April, show that it was £1.2 million in debt.

The company owes the council around £150,000.

The report states that any debts owed to the council following the administration process would be written off which will add “additional pressure to the council’s finances”.