The Chelmsford Marathon which raises vital funds for Little Havens, the children’s hospice for Essex, will be back on Sunday 12th October, proudly sponsored by Beaulieu, Countryside Homes and L&Q’s flagship residential development in Chelmsford.

Starting from Central Park, runners will embark on a scenic route through Chelmsford’s countryside, returning to the park to cross the finish line. For those looking for a shorter challenge, registration is also open for the popular half marathon route.

Proceeds raised from the event will help support the charity’s work across the county, supporting children, young people and their families, offering specialist end-of-life care, bereavement support, symptom management and respite stays in the family home or at the hospice based in Benfleet.

Last year’s marathon saw a heartwarming victory from Hannah Leggett, who crossed the line as the fastest female runner in an impressive time of 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 33 seconds.

It was a touching win for Hannah, who participated in the event to raise vital funds for Havens Hospices, a cause very close to her heart. She has raised £1,500 in sponsorship and said after her race, “Sadly, I lost my Mum in February and my Dad in September, so this race was personal. Coming first in this race meant more than just winning; it was giving back to the incredible team and the charity that supported my parents in their final moments.

“The race was perfectly organised – everything from bag drop to water stations, refreshments at the end, and not forgetting the highly supportive marshals throughout the course. The funds I have raised will allow the charity to continue to host events such as the Chelmsford Marathon, which allow us to do our little bit to give back and support more people in our community who need the care and support of the hospices.”

Lucy Lock, Community Engagement Manager at Havens Hospices reflects on the 10th running year with pride: “Since its inception in 2014, and with a year out in 2020 due to the pandemic, this means it’s our 10th running year of raising thousands of pounds towards local hospice care, a lifeline to so many families going through the toughest times. The Chelmsford Marathon is one of the biggest events in the Essex race calendar, a favourite with locals and runners across the country.

“Without the generosity of the public making donations and collecting sponsorship, we couldn’t provide specialist hospice care for hundreds of families.

“Whether you’re looking to achieve a first half or full marathon, personal best, or run in memory of a loved one, the Chelmsford Marathon and Half is the perfect event for you. It’s also an excellent practice race for those looking to participate in next year’s London Marathon. We hope to make this our biggest event to date and we hope our community can help make this happen!”

Havens Hospices is thrilled to continue its long-term partnership with Countryside (now part of the Vistry Group) and L&Q, the developers of Beaulieu in Chelmsford.

Martin Leach, Managing Director of Strategic Land at Countryside said: “Countryside and L&Q are delighted to announce Beaulieu’s sponsorship of the 10th Chelmsford Marathon.  We have supported this wonderful annual event since the beginning, which coincided with the launch of our residential development, Beaulieu in Chelmsford. The Chelmsford Marathon is a hugely successful and well-regarded event, not only in the racing calendar but also for the City of Chelmsford.

“We are proud of the part that our staff and Beaulieu residents have played in supporting the Marathon and Half Marathon over the years, helping to bring the Chelmsford community together to raise vital funds for local hospice care. I would encourage local residents to get involved in this fantastic community event in whatever way you can”.

To register online for the Chelmsford Marathon and the Chelmsford Marathon Half or to volunteer on the day, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/chelmsfordmarathon

To find out more about Little Havens and how they are ‘Making every day count’, visit www.havenshospices.org.uk/littlehavens