Half marathonRegistration Open

Colchester Half Marathon

March 14, 2027 · 9:00 AMColchester, Essex, United Kingdom

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Race snapshot

Race Day

48°F

39–52°F · Feels cool

Total elevation gain

394ft

Moderate rolling hills · Net elevation change +0 ft

Participants

3,500

Medium-sized race

Crowd Rating

6/ 10

Good crowd energy

The Lowdown

The Colchester Half Marathon is an annual road race through Colchester, Britain's oldest recorded town, in Essex, England. Runners start and finish at the JobServe Community Stadium, passing city-centre landmarks before heading out onto undulating countryside lanes surrounding the town. First held in 2011, the race sold out its inaugural 1,000-runner field 17 days before race day, was named the UK's fastest-growing race by UK Athletics in 2015, and has grown to roughly 3,500 finishers in its 2025 edition. The event is closely tied to the Robin Cancer Trust, a local Colchester charity, which offers a free guaranteed entry in exchange for a modest fundraising pledge; runners may also fundraise for any charity of their choice. Four water stations line the course at miles 3, 6, 9 and 12, and a generous four-hour cut-off keeps the race welcoming to first-time half marathoners. The 2027 edition takes place on Sunday, March 14, with registration open online.

Minimum Age: 17 years
Entry Methods: Online via colchesterhalfmarathon.com (Nice Work Race Management booking platform)
Guaranteed free charity place via the Robin Cancer Trust with a minimum GBP 150 fundraising pledge
Eligibility: Minimum age 17 on race day
Walkers not permitted
Buggies not allowed, per UK Athletics standards
Headphones prohibited on road sections, except bone-conduction models
Required Documents: Photo ID may be requested at race number collection, consistent with standard UK Athletics-affiliated road race practice
Cancellation & Refund Policy: Entries are typically non-refundable and non-transferable once booked, consistent with standard UK mass-participation road race policy. This is not confirmed on an explicit official refund-policy page.

01: Founded in 2011; the inaugural 1,000-runner field sold out 17 days before race day.
02: Named the UK's fastest-growing race by UK Athletics in 2015.
03: Grown to roughly 3,500 finishers by the 2025 edition.
04: Four water stations on course, at miles 3, 6, 9 and 12.
05: Cut-off time is 4 hours (course closes at 13:00 for a 09:00 start).
06: Race numbers are mailed to entrants approximately 10 days before the event.

Questions about the Colchester Half Marathon 2027

When is the Colchester Half Marathon 2027?

Sunday, March 14, 2027.

Where is the Colchester Half Marathon?

Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom.

What time does the Colchester Half Marathon start?

The race starts at 9:00 AM, local time.

What is the Colchester Half Marathon time limit?

4 hours.

How do I enter the Colchester Half Marathon 2027?

Registration is open. Ways in: Online via colchesterhalfmarathon.com (Nice Work Race Management booking platform); Guaranteed free charity place via the Robin Cancer Trust with a minimum GBP 150 fundraising pledge.

How much does the Colchester Half Marathon 2027 cost?

Half Marathon: £40.

What is the Colchester Half Marathon elevation gain?

120 m (394 ft) of total elevation gain. Net elevation change: +0 m (0 ft). Moderate rolling hills.

What is the Colchester Half Marathon course like?

It passes JobServe Community Stadium, Colchester city centre and Essex countryside lanes surrounding Colchester.

What is the weather like at the Colchester Half Marathon?

Race-day temperatures are usually 4–11 °C (39–52 °F). Feels cool.

How many runners does the Colchester Half Marathon have?

3,500 participants. Medium-sized race.

Prepare for This Race

Pace CalculatorPlan splits for half marathon Race PredictorPredict your half marathon time BQ CalculatorCheck BQ time for half marathon Fuel PlannerPlan nutrition for half marathon, cool weather Difficulty Analyzer394ft gain, 48°F avg, half marathon Training PacesTraining zones for half marathon

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