Halstead & Essex Marathon
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Event Overview
The Halstead & Essex Marathon will take place in May 2026, marking its 30th edition. The event is organized by the Halstead Road Runners club, which has around 140 members. It is part of the Essex Road Running Championships series, open to runners born in or resident in Essex for at least nine months.
Course and Setting
The marathon course follows scenic, low-traffic roads in a rural area of North Essex, featuring rolling hills, woods, and farmlands. The current course records are 2:28:08 for men and 2:53:22 for women, with a £200 prize offered for breaking a record.
Entry Information
The event has a maximum field size of 500 participants. Standard entry fees are £53 for UK Athletics affiliated runners and £55 for non-affiliated runners. An early bird offer provides discounted rates. Race refund insurance is available as an optional purchase. Entries close on the 3rd of May. A limited number of card payment entries may be available on the day if the event has not sold out. The event has an official license (No. 30235) and a course measurement certificate (No. 25/009).
Policies and Charity
Entry fees are non-refundable and non-deferrable; any forfeited fees are added to the charity donations made by Halstead Road Runners. The event raises funds for charity, with over £500 raised the previous year. Participants who plan to walk the entire course and expect to take over seven hours are not permitted to enter. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.