BRIGHTON and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton will be sending over 12,000 runners on their way as he officially starts this year’s Brighton Marathon.

Hughton, the former Ireland international who has successfully managed the team through one of its most exciting runs in recent years, said he is delighted to be given the opportunity at the huge event.

He said: “It’s a huge honour for me to be the Race Starter for the Brighton Marathon this year and it’s a testament to what the team have done this season.

“The support that we’ve had through some difficult periods this last year shows how much the team mean to the area and it’s great to be able to do this in their name.”

A former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham player, Mr Hughton became manager of Brighton and Hove Albion midway through the 2014-15 Championship season, securing the club’s safety within the division.

In the following 2015-16 season, Hughton guided Brighton to an impressive third-placed finish, narrowly missing out on promotion to the Premier League.

Over the last eight months, he has once again taken the club to an impressive title race climax.

Tom Naylor, Brighton Marathon event director, said: “Chris has become one of the best known managers in football, not least because of his fantastic work with Brighton and Hove Albion in the last few years.

“We look forward to sharing the sport’s spotlight with Chris on April 9 and to once again show that Brighton plays host to some of the best sporting events in the country.”

The marathon is one of the UK’s most popular running events and one of the city’s most successful fundraising events, benefitting hundreds of charities.

This year, over 18,000 participants are expected across the weekend.