Dixon confirmed for 2013 Brighton Marathon

The Grounded Events Company, organisers of the Brighton Marathon, are delighted to announce that former winner Alyson Dixon has confirmed she will be on the start line for the 2013 Brighton Marathon.

Dixon will be targeting a qualifying time for the IAAF World Championships in Moscow later in the summer as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow.

“Having confirmation that we’ve been able to sign up a top British athlete of Alyson’s calibre here in Brighton is great news,” said race founder, Tim Hutchings. “One of our primary objectives is to attract world class athletes each year and there will be more announcements to come.

“Our course for 2013 will be quicker than when she won in 2011and it’s notable that she’s not managed to go any faster since. I like the symmetry of Alyson returning with Moscow beckoning next year, when it was the Brighton Marathon that gave her the opportunity to run for Great Britain at the last World Championships.”

Brighton was the scene of Dixon’s greatest triumph when she won the 2011 event, setting a then course record of 2:34:51. 

This summer she embarked on a new phase in her career, leaving her long-time coach Liz McColgan, changing clubs and introducing strength and conditioning work in the gym.

Dixon’s new approach has already started to reap results. In the recent Leeds Abbey Dash 10km she smashed her lifetime best by 31 seconds, dipping under 33mins for the first time with a 32:55 clocking.

“I look forward to running a fast time in Brighton,” commented Dixon who has the advantage of being familiar with the course. Given the fact that the route has been streamlined since she won, the Sunderland Stroller can expect to mount a serious attack on her lifetime best.

The 2013 Brighton Marathon, which takes place on Sunday April 14, will be featured on Channel 4.