Celebs lead the way for Team Beacon at this weekend’s Brighton Half Marathon

A former Special Forces Operator, a well-known actor, a musician and a maths whiz might seem an unlikely combination, but that is in fact the celebrity lineup within Team Beacon, at this year’s Altra Brighton Half Marathon on Sunday, March 2. Chris Oliver, Matt Robson-Scott, Craig Parkinson and Bobby Seagull will all be running in support of the Sussex Beacon at its largest annual fundraiser.

Famous for putting celebrities through their paces during SAS Who Dares Wins as one of the formidable Directing Staff, Chris Oliver returns having run as part of Team Beacon in 2024. Boasting an impressive 16 years of combat experience in the elite Special Boat Service, Chris fearlessly served in active combat zones around the world, before retiring from the military in 2015.

Known to many as DS Norman Potting in ITV’s Grace and DS Matthew ‘Dot’ Cottan in BBC’s Line Of Duty, Craig Parkinson will also be taking on the 13-mile challenge, having agreed to run when visiting the Beacon to find out more about its work. ‘Whovians’ will of course also know Craig as The Grand Serpent in Doctor Who, but the only time travel involved on Sunday will be a push for a ‘personal best’.

Bobby Seagull is a maths teacher, broadcaster, and quiz buff, well known for his appearance and success on University Challenge. Bobby is also an avid runner and although a West Ham fan, that’s unlikely to be brought up in conversation anywhere near the Half Marathon’s seagull mascot “Beaky”.

Also running will be Matt Robson-Scott, from Gorgon City, who, with 3.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, have performed at Glastonbury and a number of other major music festivals.

Bobby Seagull said: “With my surname as Seagull, it feels just right to be running the Brighton Half. And it doesn’t take a maths genius to realise that being part of Team Beacon is a good calculation!”

Chris Oliver commented: “I’m thrilled to be back supporting The Sussex Beacon at this year’s Brighton Half Marathon! I can’t wait to see everyone take on new challenges and push their boundaries”.

Matt Robson-Scott: added “I’m very happy to be representing such a great charity. Brighton has a special place in my heart. It’s going to be a great day!”

All funds raised by those running on behalf of the Sussex Beacon on Sunday will go towards the charity’s Community Services Formula Milk Programme, which supports mothers living with HIV.

The Altra Half Marathon begins on Hove Lawns at 9.30am on Sunday, March 2. More info HERE