An impressive 1,800 runners signed up to pound the pavements of Chelmsford on Sunday in support of local hospice care.
This year’s Chelmsford Marathon and Half Marathon - sponsored by Countryside Homes, now part of the Vistry Group, and L&Q’s flagship development, Beaulieu - took place on Sunday 13th October and saw runners from across the county, country and overseas, crossing the finish line in beautiful Central Park, after completing either 13.1 or 26.2 miles.
By participating, runners have helped to raise vital funds for Havens Hospices, an Essex-wide charity that provides specialist care and support to children, young people and adults living with complex or incurable conditions.
The fastest male to complete the Half Marathon was Bradley Adams, who finished in 1 hour, 13 minutes, and 2 seconds. The fastest female was Hannah McGowan-Jones, who finished in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 46 seconds.
Robert Baranowski-West was the fastest male, completing the Marathon route in 2 hours, 35 minutes and 7 seconds. The fastest female was Hannah Leggett in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 33 seconds.
It was a touching win for Hannah Leggett, 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, “I’ve run many marathons over the year but decided to sign up for the Chelmsford Marathon 2024 because it’s organised by Havens Hospices.
“Sadly, this year, 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 Havens Hospices to continue to host events such as the Chelmsford Marathon, which allow us to do our little bit to give back to this incredible charity and support more people in our community who need the care and support of the hospice.”
Another supporter of Havens Hospices and volunteer event adjudicator, David Church, has raced at every Chelmsford Marathon event since it started in 2015. He completed 26.2 miles in 3 hours and 19 seconds, his fourth-fastest marathon time.
He said: “This year's race was so meaningful for me. It was a chance to truly give back to the charity that has given me so many special running memories.
“Throughout the race, the marshals and spectators cheered, clapped and kept everyone safe, so I never felt alone, even if the course sometimes lends itself to tranquil moments and beautiful scenery. My finishing time felt unimportant because I've learnt that marathon running is all about appreciating the joys of living in the moment.
“I may have run bigger marathons like London and Berlin, but my hometown race is by far my favourite. And it's all because of Havens Hospices. Their passion, care and commitment to providing the best race experience they can is remarkable. As they continue the meaningful work of making every day count for those they help every day, they have also made so many of my running days count.”
Countryside - now part of the Vistry Group - and L&Q’s flagship development, Beaulieu in Chelmsford - kindly sponsored the popular local event again this year.
Martin Leach, Managing Director, Vistry Major Projects, said: “Together with our development partners L&Q, we are proud to sponsor the Chelmsford Marathon and Half Marathon again this year, in aid of Havens Hospices. It’s inspiring to see so many people come together for such an important cause, and the funds raised will make a real difference to the lives of children and families in need of hospice care across Essex. We are committed to supporting the communities where we are building new homes, and events like this truly showcase the power of community spirit.”
Adam Simpson, Development & Project Management Director at L&Q, said: “As a social landlord, our commitment extends beyond providing homes—we strive to build strong, supportive communities. Partnering with the Chelmsford Marathon and Half Marathon aligns perfectly with our values, as it’s not just about the race, but about the sense of community spirit and the incredible support shown for Havens Hospices. It’s inspiring to see so many people unite for such a meaningful cause, helping to ensure that local families receive the care and support they need. We are proud to stand alongside the runners, volunteers, and everyone involved in making this event such a success.”
Lucy Lock, Community Engagement Manager at Havens Hospices added, “We are enormously grateful to everyone who turned out to support the Chelmsford Marathon, our biggest one yet, making it a success and supporting local hospice care.
“This year’s event once again wouldn’t have been possible without the support of over 100 brilliant volunteer marshals, our sponsors Countryside Homes and L&Q at Beaulieu and everybody who took part in both races and raised money for Havens Hospices. This year was a record-breaking year for fundraising, reaching more than £30,000 so far, and still counting.
"A big thank you must also go to Virgin Active Chelmsford for warming the runners up, and the Chelmsford Lions, Chelmsford Round Table and Chelmsford Ladies Circle, for supporting us once again as marshals and attending our water stations.
“The money raised will continue to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in our community living with an incurable condition.”
