Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-may">MAY</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nuclear-rush-brentwood"><a href="https://nuclear-races.co.uk/nuclear-races/nuclear-rush/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nuclear Rush</a>, Brentwood</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Nuclear-Races.jpg" alt="Nuclear Rush, Nuclear races" class="wp-image-26698" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Nuclear-Races.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Nuclear-Races-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Nuclear-Races-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Nuclear-Races-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Nuclear-Races-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Sat 9 &amp; Sun 10 May</strong> sees Nuclear Races open its Nuclear Rush obstacle courses. Nobody will be left behind in this test of speed, skill and strength – well that is if you enter one of the easy courses for kids and families. Grown ups racing alone don&#8217;t get off so lightly! It&#8217;s the 12K intermediate course for you, Or <a href="https://nuclear-races.co.uk/nuclear-races/nuclear-rush/#Rush-Oblivion" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rush Oblivion Storm</a> on <strong>Sun</strong> <strong>10 May</strong> (£165). Yes it really is as brutal as it sounds. It&#8217;s 38k, will take around 8.5 hours and has 70+ obstacles. Good luck with that.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-halstead-amp-essex-marathon-halstead"><a href="https://halsteadroadrunners.eventrac.co.uk/e/halstead-and-essex-marathon-12398" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halstead &amp; Essex Marathon</a>, Halstead</h2>



<p>Taking place on<strong> Sun 10 May</strong>, along scenic, low-traffic roads through North Essex, this marathon is hosted by Halstead Road Runners. Expect views of rolling hills, woods and farmlands to take your mind off how much further you have to go! Entry fee starts from £45.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-race-for-life-southend-on-sea"><a href="https://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/find-an-event/garon-park-5k-2026-05-10-1100" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Race for Life</a>, Southend-on-Sea</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1017" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/2025-06-07-CRUK-RaceForLife-4419-copy.jpg" alt="Race for Life Cancer Research UK" class="wp-image-26707" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/2025-06-07-CRUK-RaceForLife-4419-copy.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/2025-06-07-CRUK-RaceForLife-4419-copy-800x542.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/2025-06-07-CRUK-RaceForLife-4419-copy-1000x678.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/2025-06-07-CRUK-RaceForLife-4419-copy-768x521.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Take part in the 5k Race for Life and raise money for Cancer Research UK, on <strong>Sun 10 May</strong> at Southend&#8217;s Garon Park. The double lap will see you running over grass and rubber pathways making it a nice gentle one. It&#8217;s £15.99 to enter if you&#8217;re 16 or over, or £11 for children, with a minimum fundraising target of £50. This relaxed race is all about raising funds and joining in, rather than achieving your PB!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-race-for-life-brentwood"><a href="https://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Race for Life</a>, Brentwood</h2>



<p>Brentwood closer to home? On <strong>Sat 16 May</strong> you can take part in the Race for Life at Weald Country Park, choosing either a 3k, 5k or 10k course.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-test-track-ten-races-16-may-basildon"><a href="https://www.stlukeshospice.com/pages/category/test-track-10" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Track Ten Races</a>, 16 May, Basildon</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ten-track-races.jpeg" alt="Teest Track Ten races, Dunton" class="wp-image-26706" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ten-track-races.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ten-track-races-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ten-track-races-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/ten-track-races-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Also on Sat 16 May St. Luke&#8217;s Hospice is holding three fundraising races, hosted by Ford Britain Trust at their Dunton HQ in Laindon. Starting at 9am with the Fun Run, and then 10am with the 10 mile and 10k races, all along, as the name suggests, the Ford Test Track.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colchester-zoo-stampede-colchester"><a href="https://www.colchesterstampede.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colchester Zoo Stampede</a>, Colchester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Colchester-Stampede.jpg" alt="Colchester Stampede" class="wp-image-26705" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Colchester-Stampede.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Colchester-Stampede-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Colchester-Stampede-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Colchester-Stampede-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>While we&#8217;re not expecting you to get up to cheetah speed, there&#8217;s plenty of time to train for this chip-timed 10k race on<strong> Sun 17 May</strong>. Presented by Larking Gowen, and in support of id &amp; North East Essex Mind, this is a route like no other (lets face it, you&#8217;re unlikely to see an elephant on any of these other races). The race starts at the heart of the zoo before heading out onto the surrounding closed roads then finishing back into the zoo. If you have the energy to tackle the zoo&#8217;s hilly landscape again, race entry will also include free entry to the zoo on race day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-june"><br>JUNE</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sundowner-trail-marathon-chelmsford"><a href="https://www.trailbossrunning.co.uk/gallery-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sundowner Trail Marathon</a>, Chelmsford</h2>



<p>Just running a regular marathon not enough of an endorphine rush for you? How about running into the sunset at the Sundowner Marathon on <strong>Sat 6 June</strong>? Taking place in the early evening, the route starting from Chelmsford will cover 27 miles of coastal saltmarsh, canal towpaths, vineyards (no wine for you we&#8217;re afraid), and forests. £19.50 to enter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-race-for-life-3k-5k-and-pretty-muddy-5k-basildon"><a href="https://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Race for Life 3k, 5k and Pretty Muddy 5k</a>, Basildon, </h2>



<p>Another Race for life, this time on 13 June at Basildon&#8217;s Gloucester Park. Join the 3k or 5k, or bump up the challenge with the the Pretty Muddy 5k, where you can climb, crawl (or more likely slip and slide) around the obstacle course.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boxted-10k-colchester"><a href="https://boxted10k.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boxted 10K</a>, Colchester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Boxted-runners.jpg" alt="Trophies at Boxted Runners, Boxted 10k" class="wp-image-26714" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Boxted-runners.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Boxted-runners-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Boxted-runners-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Boxted-runners-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: LW Photography</figcaption></figure>



<p>On <strong>Sun 14 Jun</strong> you can join the Boxted Runners at the Boxted 10k (or 5k if that sounds more achievable). It&#8217;s £18 for the 10k (15 years and over), or £12 for the 5k (ages 11 and over), running from and back to St Peters School, Boxted. Younger ones who want a piece of the action can join the Junior 2k if they are 5 or over (under 8s must run with an adult).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stour-valley-marathon-colchester"><a href="https://hare-tortoise-running.eventize.co.uk/e/stour-valley-marathon-and-half-9876" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stour Valley Marathon</a>, Colchester</h2>



<p>Also on <strong>Sun 14 Jun</strong> is another Hare &amp; Tortoise Running event, this time at starting and finishing at Nayland Village Hall. Take on the whole Marathon (ages 18 and over, £28 to enter), or test the water with the half (ages 17 and over, £21 to enter) – either way you&#8217;ll be running along a combination of St Edmunds Way, Stour Valley Path and the Essex Way. </p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-july">JULY</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-full-essex-way-ultra-epping-to-harwich"><br><a href="https://www.essexwayultra.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Full Essex Way Ultra</a>, Epping to Harwich</h2>



<p>This is the big one. Two days of running from city to sea, on<strong> Fri 3 Jul &#8211; Sat 4 Jul</strong>, starting from Epping tube station and finishing at the historic port of Harwich, covering the full 82 miles of the Essex Way trail. It&#8217;s an epic challenge, can you take it on? There&#8217;s limited spaces (65 to be precise), so sign up soon, entry is £105. Best get your running shoes on now! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-race-for-life-3k-5k-10k-and-pretty-muddy-5k-chelmsford"><a href="https://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Race for Life 3k, 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy 5k</a>, Chelmsford</h2>



<p>The last day of the Essex-based Race for Life races is at Hylands Park on Sun 19 Jul. Again you have the choice to tackle the muddy obstacle course, or stay nice a dry in the regular races.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-have-you-missed-plan-in-for-next-year">What have you missed? Plan in for next year</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-february">FEBRUARY</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hadleigh-legacy-10k-hadleigh"><a href="https://www.nice-work.org.uk/e/hadleigh-legacy-10k-9886" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hadleigh Legacy 10K</a>, Hadleigh</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-02-at-10.14.29.png" alt="Hadleigh Legacy 10k" class="wp-image-26715" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-02-at-10.14.29.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-02-at-10.14.29-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-02-at-10.14.29-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/12/Screenshot-2025-12-02-at-10.14.29-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>On <strong>22 Feb</strong>, you can join the race at Hadleigh Country Park organised by Castle Point Joggers. Be warned, your endurance will be tested, there are some seriously tough hills on this route and an awful lot of mud. The vast views of the estuary and the historic Hadleigh Castle might distract you for a while, maybe. The race starts at 10.30am, giving you plenty of time to psych yourself up to the challenge. Enter before 1 Jan 2026 and you can enjoy the early bird price of £22. On-the-day entry is £30, subject to availability. Open to entrants aged 15 and over.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-st-peters-way-ultra-chipping-ongar"><br><a href="https://www.challenge-running.com/e/st-peters-way-ultra-10996" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Peters Way Ultra</a>, Chipping Ongar</h2>



<p>Also on <strong>22 Feb</strong> Challenge Running Ltd has a 42 mile race, starting from The Pleasance car park in Chipping Ongar to the ancient chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell-on-Sea. Expect muddy trails, rural tracks and a raised sea wall (brrrr). If you&#8217;re not too puffed out, try to take in the scenic countryside as you go –&nbsp;it is in fact an ancient pilgrimage route dating back to the 7th century and is dotted with historic churches along the route. Be ready and raring to go, the race starts at 8.30am. Entry is £60 and is now open, closing 2 weeks before the race date. Entrants must be 18 or over.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-march"><br>MARCH</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chelmsford-half-marathon-chelmsford"><a href="https://www.cmhalf.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chelmsford Half Marathon</a>, Chelmsford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Chelmsford-half-marathon.jpg" alt="Chelmsford Half Marathon" class="wp-image-26691" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Chelmsford-half-marathon.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Chelmsford-half-marathon-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Chelmsford-half-marathon-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/11/Chelmsford-half-marathon-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Now you may have dashed through Chelmsford City Centre before, but this is no shopping spree. This is the Chelmsford Half Marathon on <strong>1 Mar</strong>. Not sure you&#8217;ll be ready? Fear not, no excuses here – you can opt to enter for the 10K and 5K races instead. The route follows closed roads along Parkway, Essex Yeomanry Way, Chelmer Village Way, winding up at Anglia Ruskin University. Entry fee varies depending on when you book and for which race, but from now until the closing date, fees for the half marathon will be between £52 and £65. The half marathon is open to entrants ages 17 and over, the 10K to 15 years and over and the 5K, ages 11 and over.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colchester-half-marathon-colchester"><br><a href="https://www.colchesterhalfmarathon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colchester Half Marathon</a>, Colchester</h2>



<p>On<strong> 8 Mar</strong> you can take part in another half marathon (we&#8217;re not actually suggesting you do both, just one or the other), taking on the 13.1 miles through the streets of Colchester. Starting (and finishing) at the JobServe Community Stadium you can tick off a few of Colchester&#8217;s iconic landmarks as you speed through the city. Entries close one the event reaches max capacity, so race to it! Entrants must be aged 17 or over. Entry is £35.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-april"><br>APRIL</h2>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saltmarsh-half-marathon-south-woodham-ferrers"><a href="https://hare-tortoise-running.eventize.co.uk/e/the-saltmarsh-half-marathon-8805" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saltmarsh Half Marathon</a>, South Woodham Ferrers</h2>



<p>Follow the Saltmarsh Coast trail pathway on<strong> 19 Apr</strong> starting from Marsh Farm Road. Organised by Hare &amp; Tortoise Running, the half marathon route is mostly off road, running along the River Crouch from South Woodham Ferrers to the Riverside Park in Burnham-on-Crouch. Entry is open to ages 17 and over and costs £30.50.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maldon-mud-race-maldon"><br><a href="https://maldonmudrace.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maldon Mud Race</a>, Maldon</h2>



<p>The slightly bonkers Maldon Mud Race returns to Promenade Park for 2026 on <strong>26 Apr</strong>. Hopefully the weather will be starting to warm, because given the nature of the race, it goes without saying that getting absolutely caked in mud is unavoidable! Fancy dress is encouraged, so start planning –&nbsp;there&#8217;s a prize for best outfit. You must be at least 16 to take part, entry is £50 donation  – a number of local charities reserve a share of the sponsorship monies raised.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">In the mood for more?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/take-the-plunge-wild-swimming-in-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Take the plunge: wild swimming in Essex</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/fun-things-to-do-in-essex-to-get-your-dopamine-fix/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">6 fun things to do in Essex to get your dopamine fix</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/get-connected-the-rise-of-social-clubs-in-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get connected! The rise of social clubs in Essex</a></li>
</ul>


On your marks: Races to train for in Essex for 2026

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