Shining a light on the Sussex Grand Prix
Written by Pauline Delaney & Jess Gjergji
The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed that a few of our races, including the Hastings Half Marathon, are listed as being part of the Sussex Grand Prix (SGP).
In fact, six out of the twelve races that make up the SGP are events that Nice Work is involved in either directly or through our race partners. Having a race nominated as part of the Sussex Grand Prix is a huge deal; we’re proud as punch to be involved and share the news.
And so… we’d like to tell you more!
Perhaps you’ll even be inspired to join your club and take on the SGP challenge for yourself!
What is the Sussex Grand Prix?
The Sussex Grand Prix (SGP) is a friendly, annual running competition made up of a series of races held across Sussex, typically from March to November and it is an incredible honour to be chosen. The truly wonderful thing about the SGP is how genuinely inclusive it is, welcoming runners of all levels and abilities, offering them a chance to compete, socialise, and stay active with a focus. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge, to up your game, or perhaps you just run for the joy of it… the SGP is has a place for you.
How it all began
In the late’70s and early ‘80s, road running was booming and a growing interest in race participation was born. At this time, the late Ron Grover – himself a former sprinter – noticed a concerning gap; local clubs were often dominated by young males with a strong track and field focus, leaving many runners feeling that there was no place for them. To fill this void, Ron founded Arena 80 Athletic Club in 1981.
Ron met his partner, Carol Wilson, when she joined Arena 80. Carol was the club’s first member and the epitome of their target runner; a novice runner who had never even worn a pair of trainers before! Ron owned a furniture store but he also sold running shoes and gear out of the premises and legend has it that he generously donated shoes to club members to could not afford them. Ron organised his first race from his shop and was instrumental in setting up the Sussex Beacon Half, which would later become the Brighton Half Marathon.
And, the Sussex Grand Prix was born
In 1985, Ron & Carol co-founded the Sussex Road Racing Grand Prix. Their philosophy was simple: create a competition that celebrated participation, not just victories.
They wanted to make sure that the majority of runners - those who never placed at the front - still had the opportunity to be part of a team and score points for their club. Over time, The Grand Prix also became a way to support local races, benefiting smaller events that were often struggling for participants. These founding principles of inclusivity, camaraderie, and opportunity continue to define the SGP today.
Changing Times
Running has changed dramatically over the last decade or so. The rise of apps and online training plans has made taking up the sport and participating in running events easier than ever before. Meanwhile, the growth of charity runs, and the sheer diversity of events has reshaped the landscape of running. More people than ever are coming to running from a non-competitive background and later in life. In answer, there has been a rise in the number and type of run clubs available and SGP has been there to support them every step of the way.
Having bounced back from the disruption of Covid, the SGP looked to diversify and responded to include off-road races as part of the league, attracting a new cohort of runners in the process. 2024 saw the SGP undergo some significant changes to empower and give a voice to the clubs that were helping to shape it. The Sussex Grand Prix of the future would continue to champion a sense of belonging whilst also ensuring transparency and accountability, nurturing inclusivity and keeping runners at the very heart of the competition.
Looking ahead
2025 has seen the SGP welcome four new running clubs to the Sussex Grand Prix family, bringing the total number of participating clubs to 23. They look forward to seeing this number increase further and to welcoming new clubs from across West and East Sussex into the fold. As ever, the SGP will include twelve races, each hosted by participating run clubs and with distances from 10k to 15 miles taking place on a variety of terrains.
Benefits of joining the Sussex Grand Prix:
Both clubs and individual runners may see benefits to joining the Sussex Grand Prix.
But, here are a few highlights for you to noodle over:
- Simplicity: Enjoy the structure that a ready-made series of races offers, whilst allowing for variety due to the diverse nature of the events; no more meticulously trawling through online race calendars and adverts to plan the year’s races!
- Camaraderie: Meet other like-minded runners of all ages and stages and be part of a supportive team!
- Opportunities: Earn points for your club and compete for team and age category prizes.
- Equality and inclusivity: Everyone is welcome, no matter how fast, slow or experienced. If you’re a human and you can safely complete the distance of your chosen events (within any organisers’ given cut-off times) then you are most welcome, and we encourage you to come
- Community: Support local races often raising money for local causes.
How to join your club to the SGP
- Clubs: To participate, your running club must first be affiliated with the Sussex County Athletics Association (SCAA). Visit theSCAA website for eligibility criteria, cost details, and an application form.
- Complete the Club Entry Form:
Once your club is SCAA-affiliated, fill out the SGP Competition Club Entry Form.
After verification by the Membership Secretary, the club’s approval by the Committee is a formality - permissions are not unreasonably withheld. Once the annual fees are paid, you’re ready to start scoring points for your club!
- Club not in the SGP?
If your club isn't currently involved in the SGP, encourage them to join! Have a chat with your club representatives about the benefits of participating in the competition, and they can complete the necessary steps to get your club on board.
For more details on clubs, membership, rules, and the race calendar, please visit our website at: sussexgrandprix.co.uk
Or take a look at our socials:
F:https://www.facebook.com/SussexGrandPrix
Insta: @sussex_grand_prix_races
Strava: Sussex Grand Prix
