Blackwater Trail Events Marathon

Event Overview

The Blackwater Trail Events include a half marathon and a marathon on a new marathon course for 2026. The event uses a flexible entry fee structure where participants can choose to pay for extras like a medal or not.

Course and Distances

The event offers two distances:

• A half marathon (13.1 miles)
• A marathon (26.2 miles)

The route starts in Chelmsford at Lockside Marina, at the end of the Chelmer and Blackwater navigation. It follows the waterway on a mix of trail, grass, and tarmac footpaths through Essex countryside. The half marathon finishes at Heybridge Basin. The marathon continues from Heybridge Basin, following the Saltmarsh coastal footpath past Goldhanger before turning inland to finish in Tollesbury.

Practical Information

Toilets are available at the start, Heybridge Basin, and Tollesbury. A bag drop bus service operates from the race start to Heybridge, Tollesbury, and Salcott, delivering bags to the relevant finish points. There are car parks near the start in Chelmsford, and at the finish locations in Heybridge Basin and Tollesbury, though spaces may be limited.

Aid stations are provided at regular intervals: two on the half marathon course and five on the marathon course. They offer snacks such as jelly babies, flapjacks, biscuits, fruit, and nuts, as well as squash and flat coke. The event is cupless to reduce plastic waste; participants must bring their own receptacle (flask, cup, or bladder), though reusable cups can be purchased during registration or on race day.

Event Logistics

The event has a cut-off time of 3.5 hours for the half marathon and 7 hours for the marathon. It is a UKA-affiliated event with a permit issued by TRA and is a 100 Club qualifying event. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.