Halstead & Essex Marathon

Halstead & Essex Marathon

The Halstead & Essex Marathon returns for its 30th edition in May 2026. Established in 1995, this annual event is organized by the Halstead Road Runners and has become a well-supported fixture in the UK running calendar. The marathon is held on scenic, low-traffic roads in North Essex, featuring a landscape of rolling hills, woods, and farmlands.

The race serves as a part of the Essex Road Running Championships series. This specific championship category is open to participants who were born in Essex or have been residents of the county for at least nine months. The event is recognized for its commitment to the local community, having received the 2025 England Athletics East Region Community volunteer project of the year award.

Participants can take advantage of the following features and regulations:

• 42.2 km (Marathon distance)

The course is officially measured (certificate No. 25/009) and holds an event licence (No. 30235). While the event welcomes a wide range of participants, there is a time limit of 7 hours; entries are not accepted for those planning to walk the entire course if they expect to exceed this duration. The field is limited to a maximum of 500 race entries.

Facilities include a dedicated parking area for runners located off Upper Fen Road, which is less than a minute's walk from the race headquarters at the Halstead Leisure Centre. Personal hydration stations are available at 3-mile intervals, and the event provides various water stations and gel points throughout the route. High finishers may be eligible for prizes, including a reward for breaking the current course records of 2:28:08 for men and 2:53:22 for women. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.