Southend Half Marathon

Name: Southend Half Marathon
Start: 2026-06-14T08:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-06-14T08:00:00+00:00
Location: East Beach, Shoeburyness, SS3 9AD

Question 1

Race Location

Accepted Answer

East Beach, Shoeburyness, SS3 9AD

Question 2

Race HQ

Accepted Answer

The Race HQ is at East Beach, Shoeburyness, SS3 9AD
What3Words: ///trips.luxury.variously

Look out for signage, flags and happy racers!

Question 3

Timings / Race Day Schedule

Accepted Answer

Race HQ & registration opens: 07:00
Please enusre that you have arrived by 08:30 for race start at 09:00

Warm Up: 08:30
Main race safety briefing: 08:50
Race start: 09:00

There are three voluntary start wave pens.
Runners will assemble in the start pen with their anticipated finish time (under 1 hour 30 minutes, under 2 hours and 2 hours plus).

Question 4

Bag Drop

Accepted Answer

A serviced bag drop facility will be in operation. Please clip your baggage label (located on the bottom of your race number) to your bag and drop it at the numbered signage that corresponds with your race bag so that you can easily find it again after the race.

Question 5

Facilities

Accepted Answer

We will have male & female changing facilities available.

Question 6

Parking

Accepted Answer

Free parking at East Beach Car Park is currently TBC - pending confirmation from the council and we are chasing/hope to have a reply by end of next week and we will update you via these FAQs and in your race commms, once this has been confirmed

There is ample on-site parking which is accessed via Blackgate Road. Please follow marshal instructions and be patient on arrival and exit due to the high volume of traffic. There will also be a clearly signed Drop Off Point close to the entrance.

If driving, please do allow plenty of time as the area does get heavily congested with traffic.

We encourage participants to get the train where possible as the start line is just a five minute walk away from Shoeburyness station on the c2c line.

Question 7

Toilets

Accepted Answer

There are plenty of toilets at the Event Village – two purpose built toilet blocks and ample Portaloo’s, accessible toilets and urinals. There are also public toilets located along the route.

Question 8

Event Village

Accepted Answer

To keep you fully refreshed, fuelled up and feeling good throughout the day, visit our Event Village which will be conveniently located by Race HQ. We will also have live music and entertainment.

Question 9

Headphones

Accepted Answer

Only bone conducting headphones are permitted at this event.
If you are seen to be wearing in-the-ear or over-the-ear headphones by our Race Team or an England Athletics Adjudicator, then you are at risk of being disqualified.

Question 10

Course, Terrain, Route Signage & Marshals

Accepted Answer

You can view & download the course GPX at:
https://www.nice-work.org.uk/e/southend-half-marathon-14472/route-maps

The two-lap course takes runners along the scenic coast with views over the Thames Estuary. The flat route is closed to traffic, which makes it ideal for experienced runners looking to achieve a personal best time as well as runners who are taking on their first half marathon. Wheelchair athletes are also welcome.

As always, please take care whilst running, looking out for slippery or uneven surfaces and pot holes. Please race with care throughout the event, remain aware of your surroundings and be courteous at all times.

Signage & marshals...
Your course will be clearly marked using large route arrows and directional cones, as well as being marshalled throughout. Please listen and obey all marshal instructions given. All marshals will remain in place until stood down by the sweep marshal.

Road closure
Please not, roads will remain closed until midday.

Please note, whilst we have a huge team of volunteers and zone leaders in place for the event, it is impossible to have every section covered. Please follow race signage and arrows. If you click on the link above to the GPX file, you will be able to download a pdf of full route instructions.

Question 11

Spectators

Accepted Answer

We always welcome anyone that would like to cheer on our runners and join the good spirit of the race by lending their encouragement and support. There will be a meet & greet area for spectators and runners to help you orientate yourself on the day.

Question 12

Kit & Footwear

Accepted Answer

We recommend your favourite running shoes for this race. We would advise runners to keep an eye on the forecast so that they can dress accordingly and would recommend bringing a spare change of clothes (incl. socks!).

Question 13

Litter

Accepted Answer

Please do NOT drop litter. Bins will be provided, so please dispose of any litter correctly or take it home with you.

Question 14

Water Stations

Accepted Answer

It is important to stay hydrated when running, especially in the summer months. There are 4 water stations on the course and runners will pass water stations 10 times in total. Please help our marshals by placing used cups in the waste bins provided.

We are very grateful to Essex & Suffolk Water for providing all the water for the event.

Whilst we will ensure that our water stations are well supplied, runners should ensure that they are fully hydrated and we recommend that you carry your own water.

Question 15

Medals & Prizes

Accepted Answer

There will be a bespoke medal awarded to every finisher.

Question 16

Results

Accepted Answer

Live and provisional results will be available on the Nice Work website asap after the race. We will also email them to you on the afternoon of the race. If you have any questions regarding the live results, please ensure that you have emailed this through to us by midday on the following Thursday. Any changes submitted after this time will not be included in the final results.

Question 17

Age Restrictions

Accepted Answer

England Athletics govern the age restrictions for this race.
On the day of the race, you must be the following age for each distance:

Half Marathon: 17 years or over

Question 18

Buggies

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, this race is not suitable for running with a buggy.

Question 19

Can I walk the event?

Accepted Answer

Whilst many of our runners walk some brief sections of the race to catch breath, this race is designed for runners and is not suitable for walking the entire distance.

Question 20

Race Organiser

Accepted Answer

This race is organised and hosted by Havens Hospices, raising valuable funds for this incredible organisation.

Find out more about them at: https://www.havenshospices.org.uk/

Entry Management & Timing are supplied by Nice Work

Question 21

First Aid & Fitness

Accepted Answer

First Aid Provision:
Although the organisers accept no responsibility for any injuries, a full medical team will be in attendance. The route is marshalled at regular intervals and marshals will summon medical assistance on the route if required.

Should you feel unwell at any stage of the race, please do not hesitate to wave down a marshal and they will call First Aid for you and ensure you are well cared for.
If you are unable to make your way to the next marshal point, please advise a fellow runner and ask them to notify a marshal of your location.

Your Health & Fitness
Before attempting to race we ask that you make sure you are 100% fit to do so. If you feel unwell or are carrying an injury, we would strongly recommend not taking part and only return to running once you feel fully fit to do so. If you are unsure if you are fit to run, please speak to your doctor.

Question 22

Transfers to another runner

Accepted Answer

We are pleased to let you know that transfers to another runner are possible for this race.

Transfer Deadlines:
10:00 on the Friday before race day.

Transfer Costs:
A transfer to another runner can be made free of charge.

How to self-manage your transfer:
Transfers are something that the system allows you to self manage by working through the following steps:

1. Access your booking via the 'View Booking' link in your booking confirmation email.
2. Follow steps through to 'Manage Booking & 'Transfer to someone else' and you will be guided through managing this transfer by the system.
3. Once you have entered the new runner's email, a transfer notification will be sent to them and they will need to accept the place and enter their full details to complete the process.
4. If you have already received your race bib prior to the transfer taking place, you will need to ensure that you give this to the new runner.

If you have any problems then please don't hesitate to let us know and we will be happy to help.

Question 23

Deferrals

Accepted Answer

We are pleased to let you know that deferrals to next year are possible for this event. Here's what you need to know:

Deferral deadlines
10:00 on the Friday before race day.

Deferral costs
A deferral costs £5 plus any difference in race fee.

Races you can defer to
You can only defer to next year's race and not any other races listed on the Nice Work calendar.

How to self-manage your deferral
Deferrals are something that the system allows you to self manage by working through the following steps:

1. Access your booking via the 'View Booking' link in your booking confirmation email.
2. Follow steps through to 'Manage Booking & 'Change Race'
3. When you click on 'Change Race' a little drop down will appear and you will need to scroll fractionally to see the race option you are looking for. Some events for the year following your current booking may still be listed as having a provisional date.
4. The system may ask you to reconfirm your booking details and prompt you to review your original booking form.
5. Once you have paid the deferral charge plus any difference in race fee, the system will move you from your original race and into the new one. An updated booking confirmation will be emailed out to you.

Deferral limit
There is no limit to the number of deferrals you can make but you will incur a deferral charge for each one.

If you have booked through a third party
If you have booked through a third party and can not access your booking via the Nice Work system to make your deferral, then please get in touch with our team by sending an email to info@nice-work.org.uk and we will be able to resend your booking confirmation with the link that you need.

If you have any problems then please don't hesitate to let us know and we will be happy to help.

Question 24

Refunds

Accepted Answer

We do not offer refunds of race entry fees for illness, injury, or any other reason. In much the same way as you would not expect a refund for a theatre ticket if you were unable to attend, we are unable to offer refunds for race entries sold.

Question 25

Merchandise

Accepted Answer

You can purchase a bespoke Southend HM race shirt or an iTab Ribbon for your medal by clicking on the 'merchandise' tab above.

Alternatively, you can visit:
https://www.nice-work.org.uk/e/southend-half-marathon-14472/products

Question 26

Sponsor

Accepted Answer

We are delighted to be sponsored by Ipeco, world leaders in aircraft crew and executive jet seating.

Their engineering expertise spans galley inserts, motion control and precision components. Their solutions are chosen by leading aircraft OEMs, including The Boeing Company, Textron Aviation and Bombardier.

You can find out more about them at: https://ipeco.com/

Question 27

Free Heart Screening

Accepted Answer

Havens Hospices is delighted to once again partner with the Carli Lansley Foundation to offer free heart screening for younger runners participating in the Southend Half Marathon 2026. Further details of this will be available in your race comms.

Question 28

Fundraising & Donations

Accepted Answer

If you would like to donate or raise funds on behalf of Havens Hospices then you can do this via the below link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/southendhalf2026

Every penny raised makes a huge difference.

Question 29

Pacers

Accepted Answer

Pacers will be identifiable by branded T-shirts and flags.
Pacing times: 1:25, 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15 and 2:30

Question 30

Race Start & Finish

Accepted Answer

The start and finish line will be located by Race HQ:
East Beach, Shoeburyness, SS3 9AD.

What3words: ///trips.luxury.variously

Question 31

Photographer

Accepted Answer

We have a number of volunteer photographers who will be taking pictures at the start/finish area along the route. Their photos will be added to our social media pages after the event.

Pictures/filming taken during the event may be used by Havens Hospices to promote the work of the charity does in the future. If you would not like your pictures to be used please email info@havenshospices.org.uk with your name and race number.

We also have professional photographers, My Sports Photos, taking photos on the day that you will be able to purchase. Further information regarding access to photos will be shared following the event.

Question 32

Event Village

Accepted Answer

Dogs, families and friends are all very welcome at the Event Village, where there will also be a variety of food and drink vendors to enjoy throughout the day. A baggage area will be available for runners, and Southend Half Marathon T-shirts will also be available to purchase, subject to availability.

Havens Hospices

Southend Half Marathon

Southend Half Marathon

Organiser Details