- Sun 11 Oct 2026
09:00
Age 18 & over
£51-£69
- 26.2 miles road running + 817 ft ascent
Event overview
This award-winning race, sponsored by Countryside and L&Q's flagship residential development in Chelmsford, is hugely popular amongst runners and comes highly recommended for its great course, race day atmosphere, enthusiastic marshals and well-appointed event village.
Both the marathon and half marathon are accurately measured courses and often used as a good for age qualifying event. Both courses are undulating and run through the tree-lined avenues of Central Park out onto the rural country lanes.
Highlights
- Accurately measured courses
- Pacers for both distances (subject to availability)
- Great alternative to a mass participation Autumn marathon
- Choice of two distances
- Friendly atmosphere and huge support from the Havens Hospices marshals
- Racecheck Silver Award winner as voted by runners
This event is part of Chelmsford Marathon & Half Marathon.
Event photos
- Average fitness
- Beginner-friendly
- Event village
- Spectators
- Traders at event
Timetable
- Bone conducting headphones only
- Circular route
- Cut off time
- Marshals
- Toilets
- Undulating
- Water stations
- Wave start
- Way markers
- GPX available
GPX route
The route is displayed on the map above.
Overview
Runners will head out towards West Park taking the same undulating paths that they know and love. Once again, the course will take you through Writtle University before sending you out on quiet country roads towards Roxwell. Just past mile 6, the course splits. Half Marathoners will turn left and head for home.
Marathon runners will continue onwards, turning right to head out towards Shellow Cross and Willingale where there can expect to embark upon a loop. After Mile 15, marathon runners will head towards Pigstye Green and back to Willingale before repeating the loop.
Upon completion of two loops, runners will turn for home and head back towards Radley Green where, at 22 miles, they may be re-joined by some half marathon runners before retracing their steps all the way back to Central Park.
Map
Cut off
6 hours.
- Cafe
- Paid parking
- Park
- Secure bag storage
- Toilets
Event HQ
Central Park
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0FQ
UK
By train
Central Park, which is less than half a mile from Chelmsford Railway Station, in the town centre.
Parking
There is no parking at Central Park. Competitors and spectators should park in the extensive car parks around the City Centre.
- Chip timing
- Medal
- Trophy
Included
- There will be a bespoke medal awarded to all finishers
- Trophies will also be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd men and women
- Prizes for age category winners and the top male and female teams (3 to score) will be posted out to participants after the race
Its a great race and very well organised and hope to complete again. Simon S
Recommended as a first marathon as mostly flat and well organised with very encouraging marshalls. Jason W
It was my 7th marathon and I'm glad I did it as it was very enjoyable running in the beautiful countryside setting! The road signs and marshalls were incredibly helpful! Priscilla P
The medal is great and the event went very smoothly. Richard B
Quite possibly my favourite race and I would definitely do it again, no question! Matt C
The course was perfectly marked, and the entire event was flawlessly managed. Highly recommended! Katie P
A well organised race with easy access from local car parks and a scenic country paths and small roads route. Fiona S
A fantastic event with great support around the course!! Mark B
Fantastic event! The marshals,bag drop team and everyone involved were excellent! Great atmosphere, very well organized. Great clear Comms before and after the event. Paul M
A great route for a road marathon - right out into the countryside- no real hills to worry about - the lap part is character building. Great amount of supporters out on the route - will definitely do again. Highlight was the power up sheep 🤣🤣 Lizzie C
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck
- Bring your own cup
- Plastic bottle free
- Public transport links
- Recycling
- Sustainability policy
This event is doing its best to work sustainably to ensure that the carbon footprint of the race is kept as low as possible.
Fundraising is optional. Runners have the option to give a donation to cover half an hour of essential care at the hospice, if they wish.
- Age 18 & over
- Entries open
- Charity places
- Enter online
Entry fees
Entry fee
£51.00
Entry fee
£53.00
Entry fee
£67.00
Entry fee
£69.00
Other races at event
- Sun 11 Oct 2026
- #1 of 2
09:30
Age 17 & over
£36-£54
- 13.1 miles road running + 331 ft ascent