Chelmsford, United Kingdom · Held since 2015 · 42.2 km
Race day Sun 10 Oct 2027
Watch out: Not flat: listings show 116 to 280 m (380 to 920 ft) of gain. All 4
Best for
Every score is out of 5, and 5 is always the better end.
Top 41%. Better than 59% of the 297 races.
strong6 sources behind this score: racer reviews and race reports, plus 302 runner ratings on review sites. Strong evidence is 10 or more separate sources.
Photo is not from race dayLatest or next race
Sun 10 Oct 2027
Entry about $60
Official race site(nice-work.org.uk, opens in a new tab)Moku Coach builds your plan around race day in October and this course.
Start free trialOverall score 3.5 out of 5
6 reviews and race reports
Tone of the reviews and race reports
6 reviews
Raced 2026 · Racecheck (Chelmsford Marathon)
“an interesting and attractive route in the Essex countryside”
179 reviews at 4.60 out of 5 overall (4.55 in 2026): navigation 4.82, finish area 4.62, aid 4.51, congestion 4.45 and facilities 4.20. Four 2026 marathoners praise the Essex countryside, marshals and pacers but want more toilets and better late fuel.
Covers Course, Support
Read on racecheck.com (Racecheck (Chelmsford Marathon), opens in a new tab)Raced 2026 · Let's Do This (Chelmsford Marathon and Half)
A rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 123 reviews covers both the marathon and half marathon, so it shows general approval rather than marathon detail.
Raced 2024 · Nice Work event reviews
“gentle hills, but a downhill finish”
Entrants disagree on terrain: one calls it gentle hills with a downhill finish, another says no real hills with a character-building lap section, another a tough hilly course not for beginners. Complaints include a mixed half and full start and narrow roads; marshals are praised and one runner wanted more spectators in the last 5 km (3 mi).
Covers Course, Support
Read on nice-work.org.uk (Nice Work event reviews, opens in a new tab)Raced 2024 · Havens Hospices race report (organiser)
“perfectly organised”
The charity's 2024 report quotes a runner calling the race perfectly organised, with runners from across the country and overseas finishing in Central Park.
Pick a score, then tell the next athlete about the course, conditions and logistics.
Open a category for its ratings and the evidence behind them.
Very good. How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 28% of the overall score.
Toughness: Tough
Racecheck shows 179 reviews at 4.6 out of 5 across both distances; four 2026 marathoners ranged 3.6 to 4.9, praising marshals and pacers. · Medium confidence
Racecheck scores navigation 4.8, finish area 4.6 and aid 4.5 out of 5. Facilities are lowest, and two runners wanted more toilets. · Medium confidence
A 2026 first-timer found it supportive, with pacers, marshals, a 6-hour limit and a small field. Many reviewers still call it somewhat challenging. · Medium confidence
Reviews disagree: one calls it fast and flattish, another hilly. Listings give 116 to 280 m (380 to 920 ft) of gain. · Low confidence
Good. Scenery, road surface, closures, and room to run. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
Reviewers like the Essex countryside, villages and quiet lanes, and the finish through trees in Central Park. A forum comment finds the first miles dull. · Medium confidence
Racecheck congestion scores 4.5 out of 5, though some reviewers found lanes narrow and the shared half and full start crowded. · Medium confidence
Country lanes and park paths; one account says the route is mostly paved. No surface complaints found. · Low confidence
Quiet rural roads with marshals; one reviewer noted the only busy crossing was closed. Most of the route is open lanes. · Low confidence
Undulating, with 116 to 280 m (380 to 920 ft) of gain by different listings. One review says gentle hills, another says no real hills. · Low confidence
Loop course starting and finishing in Central Park; one reviewer mentions a downhill finish. · Medium confidence
Good. Crowds, aid stations, the start, and pacers. Counts for 20% of the overall score.
Racecheck facilities (toilets, changing, parking) score 4.2, the lowest category. Central Park is called decent, with bag drop. · Medium confidence
Pacers are planned for both distances, subject to availability, and a pacer-led runner praised them in 2026. · Medium confidence
Small and intimate, with supportive marshals but few spectators on rural stretches. One reviewer wanted more crowds over the last 5 km (3 mi). · Medium confidence
Racecheck scores aid 4.5 out of 5. Two 2026 marathoners wanted more toilets and better second-half fuel such as cola or sweets. · Medium confidence
Very good. Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
Open lanes through farmland, with no wind complaints in reviews. · Low confidence
Mid-October starts are usually 6 to 15 °C (43 to 59 °F), close to ideal. No race-day temperatures were reported. · Low confidence
An English October can bring rain and wind; no cancellations reported. · Low confidence
The finish in Central Park is easy to reach, but the rural course gives few viewing points. · Low confidence
Chelmsford sits at about 30 m (100 ft) above sea level. · High confidence
Very good. Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
Chelmsford has a mix of hotels and chains; no shortage reported. · Low confidence
Typical English regional rates; no data found. · Low confidence
Central Park is close to the city centre, and the start and finish are in the same area. · Medium confidence
Direct trains to London, and about 35 km (22 mi) from Stansted. · Medium confidence
One venue for start, finish, bag drop and refreshments; some reviewers praised the finish area. · Medium confidence
Compact city centre with pubs and restaurants; not a destination in itself. · Low confidence
Very good. How hard it is to get a place, and what you get for the fee. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
Open entry with about 500 marathon runners; no sell-out noted. · Medium confidence
Racecheck swag scores 4.3 out of 5. Listed fees are GBP 35 to 50 (about USD 47 to 67); proceeds go to a hospice. · Low confidence
Overall score 3.5Bigger field
Compare with Chelmsford
Overall score 3.5Bigger field, hotter
Compare with Chelmsford
Overall score 3.5Bigger field
Compare with ChelmsfordPages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
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