THE Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend will be returning for its seventh successive year over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Organisers have some announced some exciting new features for 2018.

The three-day event is expected to draw more than 1,500 runners who will tackle the challenges of the beautiful Mid Sussex countryside.

Events take place on:

• Saturday 5th May: East Grinstead 10 Mile

• Sunday 6th May: Haywards Heath 10 Mile

• Monday 7th May: Burgess Hill 10 K

• Enter all three events to complete the Mid Sussex Marathon.

• Fun Run and Mile races each day of the event.

Following last year’s success, the 2018 event weekend will be even bigger and better with the three days now set to include nine events and some new features for participants to expect.

The Mid-Sussex based land acquisition, planning and development experts Fairfax Properties have been unveiled as sponsors for 2018.

Jon Ball, Managing Director of Fairfax, said “I am delighted Fairfax are the official sponsors of the Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend, it’s a fantastic event for the local community and it’s a privilege to support.

“We’re looking forward to seeing so many people taking part across the three-day event.”

This week it was announced that the popular Haywards Heath 10 Mile will follow a new route.

The two-lap format will continue to start on South Road but a new section of the route has been designed to take runners through Beech Hurst Gardens and Bolnore Village to avoid the busy Traunstein Way, providing a safer route for participants and volunteer marshals.

The East Grinstead 10 Mile and Burgess Hill 10 K routes will remain the same.

In response to the increasing popularity of the Mid Sussex Mile, this year chip timing is being introduced to the event.

As with the weekend’s long-distance events, all Mile entrants will wear a timing chip in order to get an accurate finishing time.

Organisers have also introduced a further event on each race day; the Mid Sussex Fun Run.

This race will not be timed so there is no pressure and participants can just run for fun!

Ideal for all ages and abilities, this is great way to join together with family, friends and colleagues to get active, raise money for charity or just simply enjoy being part of an inspiring, motivating and rewarding event.

Councillor Gary Marsh, Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Member for Service Delivery said: “The Mid Sussex Marathon has something for everyone, from serious runners who compete at county level, to those who run for fun and raise a great deal of money for local charities.

“I’m delighted to see that the Haywards Heath route will include our beautiful Beech Hurst Gardens this year and I hope the runners will be inspired by the stunning views of the South Downs.

“The new Fun Run events are a great way for people to give organised running a try for the first time and with the support of our new sponsor Fairfax properties I’m sure the 2018 Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend will be the best yet.”

Everyone who completes any of the nine events over the Weekend will receive medals, with organisers set to shortly reveal the 2018 design of the unique commemorative medal for all those completing the three-day Marathon distance.

Those wishing to be involved in the Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend 2018 as either a participant, volunteer or sponsor partner should refer to the event website: www.midsussexmarathonweekend.co.uk.

Mid Sussex Marathon Weekend is being managed by Active House Solutions and Places for People Leisure, supported by Nice Work (a professional road running event company).