Calling all LGBTQ+ businesses in Brighton & Hove - we are having a good-old fashioned relay race, and we want you to be a part of it!
The Sussex Beacon is proud to organise The Grand Brighton Half Marathon each year, incorporating our very own relay for a fourth year running (excuse the pun). For 2019 however we are shaking things up, redesigning the event to be more inclusive, accessible to everyone (aged 17 and over) and bring the community together to fundraise for people living with HIV.
So in the spirit of community, we are calling all LGBTQ+ businesses to join in the fun and enter a team of 4 into the race. With each participant only taking on around 5k each, it’s a race for all abilities. We are thrilled to be offering 5 teams FREE entry into the relay, to the businesses with the most creative and community driven fundraising initiative to raise the minimum sponsorship of £200.
Why take part in The Sussex Beacon Relay?
You can probably think of 10 other things you would rather be doing on a brisk February Sunday morning than running 5k in Lycra shorts… but this isn’t just any relay. So here’s 10 reasons why you should take part:
1. Exclusive Hospitality
All participants of the days events who are raising money for The Sussex Beacon get exclusive access to our super marquee on race day. Inside we have mountains of delicious food, snacks and drinks, comfy seats, motivational music, professional photography and separate secure baggage area.
2. Meet at 450ft
Your team will be invited to join The Sussex Beacon on the British Airways i360 in early February for a welcome drink with a view, before receiving a quick briefing on the details of the relay, maps, race numbers and your Corporate Relay T-shirts.
3. Fantastic medal
Once your runners have completed their leg of the race, they will be presented with a brilliant The Sussex Beacon Relay medal to commemorate their achievement!
4. Prizes
The three fastest teams win an engraved award, whilst the team to complete the relay course in the fastest time and the team to raise the most funds each win a prize.
5. Team building
This may seem like a simple 4 person relay, but it requires strategy, communication and enthusiasm. From deciding your running order, your pace and your eye capturing attire, to orchestrating award winning fundraising tactics, the runner’s teamwork skills will determine their success.
6. Bragging rights
In just a few short years, our Relay has generated unprecedented levels of competition between our regular teams. Whether its being crowned the fastest team or the highest fundraising team, the promise of ultimate bragging rights has fuelled rivalry online and on the course.
7. Do it for the Instagram
With social media becoming an integral part of our work and personal lives, an opportunity for some great content is hard to pass up on! From training to fundraising, you can spread the word, get your followers interacting and involve the community in your challenge.
8. Bring the community together
Competition aside, we hope to bring the LGBTQ+ community together to support local businesses who are integral to Brighton’s rich culture of diversity and inclusivity and to raise vital funds for The Sussex Beacon.
9. You’re not alone
Our fabulous team of staff and volunteers at The Sussex Beacon are on hand to provide support and resources in both training and fundraising from the moment you register your team into the race.
10. Be eye-capturing
Whilst this isn’t promoted as a fancy-dress race, we want your supporters to spot you on the course! So fancy dress is welcome, just make sure it is safe for that sprint to your baton or finish line… no one wants to trip on their dinosaur tail at that crucial moment.
How to apply?
If you own or work for a local business which promotes to the LGBTQ+ community we would love to hear from you. Pop over to our quick online form to apply for a free team.
Applications close at midnight on Monday 15 October 2018. From the applicants, five businesses with the most creative and community driven fundraising initiative to raise the minimum sponsorship of £200 for The Sussex Beacon will be chosen and contacted by Thursday 18 October 2018.
Read our Terms & Conditions here.
