Whether you’re a seasoned runner, just breaking into the world of half marathons or lacing up your shoes in memory of a loved one, this is the perfect half marathon for you.
Havens Hospices is excited to be hosting our flagship event, the Southend Half Marathon on 8th June 2025.
Now in its 29th year, the race has raised over £1.5million for Havens Hospices.
Being a regular fixture in the South East running calendar, the race regularly attracts over 2,000 runners each year as well as numerous spectators who line the seafront route and start/finish area at East Beach, Shoeburyness. Runners take part from across the South East of England as well as the rest of the UK and as far afield as Europe, Hong Kong and the USA
Southend Half 2025 is kindly sponsored by:
Last year was a sell out so sign up early to ensure you’ve guaranteed your entry for 2025!
What makes this half marathon truly special is the impact each mile has on the families Havens Hospices cares for. With every step, you contribute to ‘Making every day count’ for people of all ages who are living with incurable conditions and their families.
Your entry fee covers the costs of running the event and this year we are asking participants to become a “Havens Hero” and purchase the Havens Hero entry tickets, which includes the cost of providing half an hour of essential care at the hospice, making a real difference for someone in need.
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.
Pacers will be supporting runners to finish times of 1hr 30m, 1hr 45m, 2hrs, 2hrs 15m, 2hrs 30m.
The race is chip-timed, and all finishers will receive a bespoke medal. Trophies are also awarded for individuals and teams.
This is a UK Athletics approved event.
I have paced 90 minutes in the last 2 years at Southend Half Marathon for Havens Hospices, and this year will be pacing 85 mins. Been running for 12 years and enjoy helping others to reach their goals. It’s always good to help a local charity that do so much valuable work for local people!
Hi! I’m Zach, and I’ll be pacing the 1 hour 45-minute group at this year’s Southend Half Marathon.
This event holds a special place in my heart — it was actually the first half marathon I ever raced, and I’ve had great fun running it for the past two years.
Since starting my running journey a few years ago, I’ve taken part in races across the UK and abroad, picking up PBs from 5K all the way up to the marathon.
I’m now a regular pacer and community leader at Puresport — one of London’s leading run clubs.
This year, I’ll be pacing the Southend Half in memory of my friend Bernard, who sadly passed away last year. Bernard was a true social butterfly and never failed to lift up those around him. There’s no better way for me to honour his memory than by helping others hit their goals in this year’s race.
I look forward to seeing you all on the start line on 8 June!
I’ve been pacing races for around 8 years, anything up to and including marathon distance. I run a few ultra marathons a year and use pacing as a means of motivation and what better motivation than charity! I’m often found chatting away about people’s running goals whilst running consistent mileage and am happy to pace in km or miles. Post race beers are always appreciated
I’ve been running since 2010 after securing a ballot place in the London Marathon, at the time I could not run for a bus. It wasn’t the best experience as didn’t have a clue what I was doing.
Since then I’ve run 17 Marathons with a best time of 3 hours, and multiple half marathons including lots of Southend Half marathons. Southend has a special place as its local and well supported by friends and the running community. I support Havens Hospices regularly by donating to the charity shops as it’s an important place locally supporting those at dreadful times in their lives.
It’s important to also give back and help those looking to hit a time. I run for Red Runners and recently qualified as a coach. Outside of running I am married with two daughters and two dogs.
Hi, I’m Lindsey and I will be pacing at 2 hours and 30 minutes this year. I had so much fun pacing for the first time last year that I am doing it again. It was a joy to encourage people to reach their goal and to get some people to the finish, when they felt they had nothing left. I run with the fantastic Flyers Southend and love to take part in a variety of running events. Havens Hospices is a fantastic local charity that supports so many people in such variety of amazing ways.
I’ve been running for over 10 years now, and this is my fourth time pacing at the Southend half marathon. It’s always an occasion I look forward to as it’s a big local race and it’s great to help runners to get a pb. Havens Hospices do an incredible job and hopefully raise a good amount of money on the day.
My name is Andrew Burgess, and I'm one of the 2.30 pacers. I'm a 59 year-old teacher, who was born in Southend, but now live in Chatham. I regularly pace at my local parkrun (Great Lines, Gillingham), and have also paced at the Chelmsford marathon for the last three years, as well as the 2024 Southend half marathon. My first experience of running along Southend seafront was as part of the Southend marathon in 1984. I have been a member of Maidstone Harriers for over 25 years and joined the 100 Marathon Club in 2016.
For health and safety ordinarily buggies and assisted wheelchairs are prohibited, please contact the race organiser - southendhalf@havenshospices.org.uk
Water soaked sponges are no longer provided on the course.
For health and safety reasons, transfers are not permitted without written consent from the race organisers. Should you wish to transfer your place to another runner this must be requested by email to llock@havenshospices.org.uk for consideration prior to 8th May 2025. No transfers will be permitted after this date.
We strongly urge runners not to wear headphones during the race. Although the roads are closed to traffic there are occasions when vehicles have to be given access to the course and it’s important that runners can hear marshal instruction
There are numerous hotels and Bed & Breakfasts along the seafront including The Camelia Hotel, The Roslin Hotel, Suenos, the Premier Inn
C2C Shoeburyness station is less than 5 minutes walk from the start line.
Head Coach Jim Dodsworth at 651 Running has kindly provided some tips for approaching a half marathon, you can read them here.
Jim from 651 Running has also recommended a 12 week training plan, to get you ready for the start line. If you want to follow the 12 week training plan it starts Sun 16th March. Download it here.
Little Havens helps to keep us sane, because we have got that place we can turn to when we need a bit of a break.Lynette, Alyssa's mum
