Following the success of the 2024 event, local rail operator c2c has announced that it will be hosting its second Ultra Marathon on 13 September 2025, with one stage of the event again starting in Tilbury.

This time the event will be raising vital funds for local children's cancer support charity, Gold Geese.

Founded by Katie Southgate in 2018 following her own daughter's battle with cancer, Gold Geese is a children's cancer charity providing incredible support to families in Essex.

The event is taking place in the middle of September to support Gold Geese's annual Go Gold campaign, which takes place during fundraising activities as part of the annual Childhood Cancer Awareness month.

Taking place once again in partnership with running events firm, XNRG, the c2c Essex Ultra Marathon will see runners lacing up their trainers and filling their water bottles to undertake the challenge across two routes, with 50-mile and 30-mile options again available.

In an update for the 2025 race, the 50-mile route will start at Upminster station and the 30-mile route will begin in Tilbury, and follow along the Thames going east, then the London Loop and England Coast National Trails - affectionately termed the 'Essex Riviera' - before finishing at Thorpe Bay station, following feedback on the 2024 event and providing an opportunity to bring the local community to the finish line.

Runners – and walkers – taking part will also receive free travel on the c2c route to and from the race.

c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said: "As a keen runner and fitness enthusiast myself, I am very excited to be bringing our Ultra Marathon event back for 2025, especially as it will support such an amazing charity in Gold Geese.

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"The work that Gold Geese do is invaluable to our community, the support that they offer to children and their families dealing with the emotional, physical and financial devastation of childhood cancer changes lives and to be able to partner with them is something I am immensely proud of.

"Although the running will be hard, I am more than ready to lace up my shoes and get back out there alongside everybody else that will be joining us at c2c on this journey. I can't wait to see you all at the start line… as well as the finish line!"

Katie Southgate, Founder and CEO of Gold Geese, added, "This is going to be an incredible event and we're so excited to partner up with c2c again.

"We receive no Government funding and rely on community fundraising events like this so we can be there for every local family fighting childhood cancer and give a little light and joy during such a tough time. I'm really looking forward to the day and cheering on the incredible runners and walkers taking on this challenge," she added.

Registration is now open; with reduced entry fees the earlier runners sign up. For more information and to register for the event, check out the XNRG website by clicking here. 

Pricing details for race entry can be found below. 

50-Mile Route:

• Very early bird: £70 until 31st December 2024
• Early bird: £80 from 1st January 2025 to 31st March 2025
• Standard: £95 from 31st March 2025 to 13th August 2025
• Late: £105 after 13th August 2025

30-Mile Route:

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• Very early bird: £55 until 31st December 2024
• Early bird: £65 from 1st January 2025 to 31st March 2025
• Standard: £75 from 31st March 2025 to 13th August 2025
• Late: £85 after 13th August 2025