I’m Susie, Race Operations Manager at Nice Work and a keen runner. This 20km (12.4 miles) coastal route from Goring-by-Sea to Hove is one of my favourites, and I recently ran it with my good friend Andrea, a regular Nice Work event participant. It’s a brilliant way to spend a morning by the Sussex coast and I’d love to share it with you.
The route is flat, straightforward, and follows the coastline for much of the way. This open-jaw run takes in Sussex coastal towns like Worthing, Lancing-by-Sea, and Shoreham-by-Sea before finishing on Hove Promenade. Here’s how our run went, plus a few tips if you’d like to try it yourself.
Starting your Goring-by-sea to Hove run
After jumping on the train at Hove, we hopped off 30 minutes later at Goring-by-Sea, turned left out of the station and before long, the sea came into view.
That view. It gets me every time. The blues and greens of the water, swimmers bobbing around in the waves, birds swirling overhead, all in the early morning sunshine…and it’s so peaceful here, especially if you set off early.
Running along the Sussex coast: Worthing and Lancing-by-sea
Once you hit the path, it’s a flat, smooth route all the way to Hove. And you’ll run next to the sea almost the whole way!
As you reach Worthing, the path widens and comes alive with runners, so many cute dogs, cyclists and walkers all enjoying being out in nature. The positive vibes are impossible to ignore, yet it never feels overly crowded.
After passing the stunning Art Deco Worthing Pier, we continued down towards Lancing-by-Sea. Keeping to the path, we watched the sailing club boats executing their manoeuvres out to sea, passed rows of colourful beach huts, and shortly arrived at Widewater Lagoon, a true hidden gem you’d never know was there from the main road. It’s packed with wildlife; we even spotted egrets and the resident swan family.
Shoreham Beach and Shoreham-by-Sea
Next up is Shoreham Beach, a lovely peaceful spot that offers a quiet swim away from the busier stretches of Brighton or Hove if you fancy a dip. We resisted and crossed the footbridge into Shoreham-by-Sea, deliberately averting our eyes from the endless coffee shops and cinnamon buns along the way.
A short section along the road brings you into Shoreham Port. Crossing the quay gives you a chance to have a nosy at the ships coming and going. There is a real buzz here, and another excellent café to stop at if you need a break.
The final stretch to Hove Promenade
Then comes the final stretch. Running along the back of the port brings you to Hove Lagoon and the start of Hove Promenade. For the last 3km, you’re treated to iconic views of the Brighton i360 and Brighton Pier on the horizon. Our final destination: the Flight of the Langoustines installation on Hove Plinth.
We did it! What a brilliant morning spent laughing, chatting, and being outside by the sea. I confess we spent almost as long taking photos as we did actually running, but we’re very much okay with that. So much laughter is good for the soul and the absolute best way to kick off the weekend. We're already plotting our next outing!
Expert tips for this Sussex coastal run
Make it an open-jaw journey by train
One of the best things about this Sussex coastal run is that you don’t need to retrace your steps. It works perfectly as an open-jaw journey, travelling by Southern train from Hove to Goring-by-Sea to start your run, then finishing at Hove Promenade, just a short walk from Hove station.
Save money when you run with a friend or group (or run club!)
If you’re running with a friend, a Two Together Railcard can help you save a third on your train fare when you travel together, while groups of three to nine can use GroupSave for a third off eligible Off-Peak fares.
Flexible distance options
Another great thing about this route is you can customise the length of the run to suit your mood and ability. You can start at any of the Southern stops between Hove and Goring-by-sea, or you can hop on and off the train with a DaySave ticket. This fare gives you unlimited Off-Peak travel across the Southern network for the day. Just remember that DaySave and Railcard discounts can’t be combined, so compare the options before you book.
Parkrun bonuses
You’ll pass right alongside three different Parkruns on this route (Worthing, Lancing Beach Green, and Hove Promenade). If you start early enough, you could easily build one into your run. My favourite is Hove Promenade Parkrun, and they all start at 9am.
Happy running everyone!
About the author: Susie Roberts is Race Operations Manager at Nice Work, specialists in organising running events from 5ks to marathons across the South East. Andrea is a regular participant in Nice Work events and recommends them wholeheartedly to everyone, especially the Hastings Half Marathon! Visit Nice Work to find your next event.
