A MARATHON this weekend has announced a route change due to “extensive overnight flooding” which has made some areas impassable for runners and emergency vehicles.

The Beachy Head marathon, which is set to take place tomorrow from Eastbourne, is re-routing after Storm Aurora struck the county.

The storm has left the banks of the River Cuckmere impassable for runners.

Organisers say they “do not want anyone’s training efforts to go to waste” so have quickly organised a route change.

The new route, which includes the same start and finish line, takes in new scenery at Willingdon Hill and Friston.

A spokeswoman said: “Extensive overnight flooding across the course has made certain areas impassable to participants and emergency vehicles and as a result a route change is required for the event to go ahead.

“We are aware that 2000 participants have trained very hard for the Beachy Head Marathon and we do not want anyone’s training efforts to go to waste.

“Therefore the team has quickly actioned a route change and for 2021, participants will run the Beachy Head Half Marathon route twice.

The Argus: The fields and road near the River Cuckmere have flooded. Picture shows White Horse near Seaford.The fields and road near the River Cuckmere have flooded. Picture shows White Horse near Seaford.

“This route incorporates many elements of the full marathon route, including the start and finish line, while taking in new scenery at Willingdon Hill and Friston.

“The route will be fully sign posted and volunteers will be repositioned at key points with water stations positioned at mile 3.8, 9.8, 17 and 22.

“We would like to extend our thanks to our charity partners and individual volunteers for their support.

"Volunteers will be contacted regarding reallocated positions.

The Argus: Pathways have been completely flooded.Pathways have been completely flooded.

“Good luck to all participants, we hope you enjoy the new course and appreciate the difficult position we find ourselves in.”

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning on Wednesday night, this was followed by an amber warning on Thursday morning with flooding in some parts of Sussex.

The River Cuckmere is at a high level near Seven Sisters with flooding on the road to Litlington.

The marathon starts at 8am from Duke’s Drive near St Bede’s school and finishes in the same spot. Runners will go up towards Willingdon, then past East Dean and Friston and back round along the cliffs and Birling Gap.

The Argus: The new route goes past Friston and East Dean.The new route goes past Friston and East Dean.

The new full route map can be found here.