London to Brighton events
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The route along the A23 (and, often, nearby minor roads) from London to Brighton in south-east England is popular for races, tours, charity rides and rallies. The route was originally popularized by the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run begun in 1930 for cars built before 1904. In 2005 over 400 cars participated and over eighty percent of them finished the course.
The route is full of great contrasts, passing through the London suburbs of Westminster, Brixton, Croydon and Purley, past Gatwick Airport, Crawley and then into the beautiful countryside of The Weald, crossing the North and South Downs. Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs (near but not part of the A23) is a steep climb followed by a gentle descent for five miles into the seaside resort of Brighton, where the route finishes on the promenade by the Kings Road arches. The current London to Brighton Veteran Car Run does not use the route past the Ditchling Beacon but follows the A273 road up Clayton Hill and rejoins the A23 at Pyecombe.
A bicycle ride to raise money for charity takes the route each summer. About 30,000 cyclists take part. The toughest part is the climb over Ditchling Beacon; having already cycled some 50 miles (80 km), cyclists must then tackle a 1 km climb with an average grade exceeding 1 in 8 (12 percent). The first few hundred metres is somewhat steeper, and the vast majority walk up.
A classic ultramarathon running race takes this route each October, starting on Westminster Bridge in the centre of London, and finishing at The Level in Brighton. This is a distance of 54 miles, 198 yards (87.085 km). The race has been organized by the Road Runners Club since 1953. However the course has been raced over at least since the early 19th century, and regularly since 1899. The race is low-key with just over one hundred runners taking part. The fastest may finish in well under 6 hours, whilst there is a time limit of 10 hours after which the course is not marshalled. The future of this particular race is in doubt following a decision by the Road Runners Club not to hold the race in 2006.
The London to Brighton Mini Run takes place on the 3rd Sunday in May. It has been going for over 22 years. It is the largest London to Brighton, and believed to me the largest one make car show in the world attracting over 2,500 Minis both classic and modern. It is organised by the London & Surrey Mini Owners Club.
The London to Brighton Land Rover Run is an annual gathering of Land Rover enthusiasts organised by the South London and Surrey Land Rover Club. The event starts at Crystal Palace Park and drives down to Madeira Drive in Brighton. The event always takes place on the first Sunday in October. In 2005, 710 vehicles took part, with participation increasing every year.
Other London to Brighton events include those for Volkswagen vans and campers, 2CV, vintage motorcycles, Smart Cars, and vintage commercial vehicles. Most events, especially motoring events, finish at Madeira Drive on the seafront.
