c2c to launch new Essex Ultra Marathon

8 June 2023: Rail firm c2c is launching a new Ultra marathon event, ‘The Railway Children Ultra,’ designed to celebrate the beautiful scenery of the ‘Essex Riviera’ along its rail route.

With two distances available, 30 or 50 miles, the announcement comes just over a year before the event on 15 June 2024, and ahead of the warmer summer months to allow ultra marathon runners – seasoned and new – to plan and commence their training programmes.

The challenge, supported by events firm XNRG, has been established to raise funds for The Railway Children, a charity which provides protection and opportunity for children with nowhere else to go and nobody to turn to. All the money raised from entry fees and donations will go directly to the charity.

With a choice of 50 or 30 mile distances, runners and walkers will register at Fenchurch Street Station before boarding a private train which will transport them to the 50 mile start at Upminster or the 30 mile start at Tilbury. The route follows along the Thames going east, utilising the London Loop and England Coast National Trails, affectionately termed the ‘Essex Riviera,’ with the finish line for both distances at c2c’s Southend Central station. 

Rob Mullen, c2c Managing Director and keen Ultra marathon runner in his spare time, said, “I am so excited to be bringing this brand new event to Essex. Not only will participants get to take in the beautiful scenery across the route and get a glimpse of all the things the area has to offer, but we’ll be raising vital funds for a charity which is really close to our hearts at c2c.”

Bethan Marshall, Events & Corporate Fundraising Officer at Railway Children, said: “We are so grateful to c2c for creating and leading what is shaping up to be an incredible event. The support of c2c and the participants signing up will be life-changing for vulnerable children around the world, ensuring they get the support and protection they need before it’s too late. Events like this are vital in raising awareness of the work we do and together we can continue to change lives.”

Once people have signed up and begun to fundraise, the totaliser for the event will be shown on our dedicated fundraising page. This page will also show a leader board for participants as they have their own pages linked to this totaliser.

Interested in taking part in the event? The link for registration is here.

Entry Fees:

• £70 for 30 miles
• £95 for 50 miles
• Use our early bird discount code EARLY50 to cut the entry fee for both distances to just £50 (this offer expires on 1st September 2023)

For more information about the event, check out the details on the XNRG website.