Go Team SHC! Congratulations and a massive thank you all the Team SHC runners who took part in the Brighton Half Marathon 2026.
The running conditions were really tough, and the team smashed it and deserve to wear their medals with pride. Together the team have raised a fantastic £4,582.84 – which is the highest total we’ve raised at the BHM for six years. What an amazing achievement, they really went the extra mile!
We’d also like to thank all their supporters and everyone who donated. The money raised will make a big difference – and will help us support heart patients, communities and NHS staff across Sussex.
Our SHC Runners Room provided a warm dry space for our runners to relax in before and after the race – which we hope was especially welcoming given all the wind and rain yesterday! We’d like to thank the staff at the Mercure Hotel for helping us provide such a lovely space for the runners and their families.
A big thank you to our partner Natural Balance Therapies for providing complementary post-race massages for our runners, which we know were very appreciated by everyone. We thank Mark and the Charlotte for volunteering their time. We are very grateful that Mark and the team give up their time every year to support us and our runners.
Runner spotlight…
Meet Jake, who in 2022 had life-saving surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital following a heart attack. Jake now runs the Brighton Half Marathon for the SHC as a way to thank and support the fantastic cardiac rehab team for the care he received, which made a huge difference to his recovery.
“Without them, my recovery might not have been so strong, or so quick. I’ll be grateful to them forever” – Jake
Jake has now fundraised for the SHC for three years in a row and has raised a fantastic £1,342.50. Jake, you are an inspiration and we thank you for your continued support and for being such an important part of Team SHC.
Pete & Martina’s Story…
After running eight half marathons, Martina thought she’d hung up her trainers for good -but this year she laced up her running shoes one more time to run the Brighton Half Marathon in support of a close friend.
Martina has worked in a variety of cardiac settings over the past 20 years, supporting patients at many different stages of their heart health journey. Now, as the lead for the cardiac rehabilitation team in Brighton and Haywards Heath, she sees every day how heart disease affects individuals and families across Sussex.
Last year, it got even more personal when Pete, one of Martina’s close friends underwent major heart surgery.
“I sat with my friend and his wife as he recovered, and it reminded me just how frightening and life-changing a heart condition can be. Thanks to excellent hospital care and cardiac rehabilitation – supported by SHC – he was able to rebuild his strength and get back to his family” – Martina
While in hospital after his op, Pete challenged Martina to run the half marathon with him. Unfortunately, race day was too soon after his surgery – but Martina stuck to her promise and ran for Pete.
Martina decided to fundraise for the SHC to show her support all her patients and for every family affected by heart disease. She raised a fantastic £1,204.37 and we thank Martina for her support and amazing fundraising efforts.
“The support of the SHC enables our cardiac rehab team to give patients, like my dear friend Pete the best possible chance of recovery and improved quality of life – it was an honour to run for Pete and the SHC” – Martina
Pete has now made a full recovery, which is fantastic news! He is so grateful for the amazing care and support he received at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Pete now attends the Cardiac Surgery School and talks to pre-op patients about his experiences.
Pete and his wife Laura were there to cheer on Martina on race day and pictured are Pete and Martina a couple of days after the race – when Martina gave her medal to Pete. She felt it was his medal as she ran the race for him.
Pete has suggested to Martina that they should both run the 2027 half marathon… watch this space!
If you would like to see more photos from race day – please check out our socials.
