15 September 2025 •
Local operator, c2c Railway, hosted its second Ultra Marathon on Saturday 13 September, with hundreds of runners from across the UK taking part in aid of local children’s cancer charity, Gold Geese.
More than 170 participants from all corners of the UK flocked to Essex for the event, to take part in the 30-mile or 50-mile run.
The c2c Ultra Marathon was organised by specialist extreme events company XNRG, with the 30-mile course starting at Tilbury and the 50-mile route beginning at Upminster.
The Ultra Marathon is distinctive because it covers a varied range of industrial landscapes, marshland, nature reserves, countryside trails, beaches and seaside towns. Runners were able to take in the sights of the Thames going east, before hitting the iconic Essex Riviera at Benfleet, Leigh-on-Sea, Chalkwell and Westcliff, ahead of making it to the finish line at Thorpedene Primary School in Thorpe Bay.
Children’s cancer charity, Gold Geese was founded by CEO Katie Southgate in 2018, following her own daughter’s battle with cancer and has been a c2c corporate partner since 2022. The c2c Gold Geese wrapped train is a regular sight on the route and most recently the c2c team raised £10,000 by collecting scrap metal on site during works at a station. Furthermore, c2c was proud to sponsor Gold Geese’s Goslings event in July, in which 150 children scooted, cycled or walked the course along Chalkwell seafront – which started from Joscelyn’s Beach by Chalkwell Station – and helped to raise over £12,000.
The Ultra Marathon took place in September to support Gold Geese fundraising activities during the annual Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
Katie Southgate, Founder and CEO of Gold Geese, said:
“We are blown away with how much support we’ve had over the weekend. I couldn’t even imagine running that distance, so I am proud and inspired by these participants.
“Thank you to c2c for choosing Gold Geese as the charity partner this year. It means the world to our charity and as we approach our Christmas planning, the fundraising will be put towards spoiling our families over the festive season.”
The winner of the 50-mile race, Sam Cowlard, who finished in a time of 6:31:46, said:
“It was amazing, an incredible experience. I loved the event set-up and although it did get challenging in the marshes, I really enjoyed it. A big well done to everybody that had a hand in the organising of the ultra marathon.
“I got into running during Covid and this is actually my first ever race, so I’m incredibly proud to have finished in the time I did.”
The winner of the 30-mile race, in a time of 3:53:00, Thomas Fulton, said:
“Yeah, it was really good – I do a lot of road running and I live in Southend, so once I got through to Westcliff, I knew where I was heading.
“The pit stops were great and really well stocked, which helped massively. I did fall over on the route, but I’m ok. It was a great experience.”
The first female athletes across the finish line were (50-miles) Abby Banbury in a time of 8:41:56 and (30-miles) Emily Nicholls in a time of 4:39:12.
Abby Banbury said:
“I feel great, but that was so hard. I have run two ultra marathons before, but this was the furthest I have done. My target was to finish in under nine hours and I’m so proud to have managed that.
“I really enjoyed the route and I thought the organisation was great!”
Emily Nicholls said:
“I’m chuffed. I can’t believe I was the first female to finish. It was such a challenging route and I got lost after Pitsea, got my hair caught in brambles and fell into a bush. But it was great!
“This is my fourth marathon and first ultra marathon, so I’m just delighted – I trained hard and it paid off.”
Andrew Burgess, who by completing the 30-mile route achieved the amazing feat of finishing his 300th marathon in a time of 7:29:22, said:
“I am exhausted. I can’t say the fact I have finished my 300th marathon is registering at the moment.
“My first marathon was in Southend in 1984 and when I learned that this marathon was taking place I knew this had to be number 300. I grew up in Thorpe Bay and have finished number 300 at the school I went to.
“I have marathon 301, 302 and 303 booked already, so I am looking forward to continuing.”
c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen, who finished the 50-mile race in 19th place and in a time of 09:14:02, said:
“First, I want to thank everybody that has turned out today to support this incredible event.
“From the runners to the volunteers and the supporters, I am so proud that so many have come to support Gold Geese and the crucial work they do for children and their families who are living with cancer in our local communities.
“At c2c, we are very proud of our partnership with Gold Geese because what they do is so important. The stories of those they support are both heartbreaking and inspirational and I am so proud of everyone today who came out to raise money for their vital work.”
The full list of results for both the 30 and 50-mile races can be found here.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About c2c
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 37.3 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- The operation of all c2c services transferred into public ownership on Sunday 20 July 2025 and is managed by DFTO (DfT Operator Ltd).
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
Images:
- Featured Image: 2025 Ultra Marathon 50 mile route begins at Upminster station
- Second Image: 30 mile route start in Tilbury
- Third Image: 30 mile route women’s winners
- Fourth Image: 30 mile route men’s winners
- Fifth Image: 50 mile route women’s winners
- Sixth Image: 50 mile route men’s winners with Katie Southgate, Founder and CEO of Gold Geese, and the Mayor of Southend, Nigel Folkard.
- Seventh Image: c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen, finishes the 50 mile route
- Eighth Image: c2c’s Erin Godfrey completes the 30 mile route
- Ninth Image: c2c Safety and Operations Director, Stuart Browning, at a checkpoint
- Tenth Image: c2c’s Pip and Southend United’s Sammy the Shrimp mascots pose with the Mayor of Southend, Nigel Folkard
- Eleventh Image: Runners in Leigh-on-Sea
- Twelfth Image: Runners going past Pitsea station
- Thirteenth Image: Andrew Burgess completing his 300th marathon
- Fourteenth Image: 50 mile winner, Sam Cowland with the Mayor of Southend, Nigel Folkard
- Fifteenth Image: 50 mile and 30 mile medals
- Sixteenth Image: Ultra Marathon runners
- Seventeenth Image: Ultra Marathon runners
- Eighteenth Image: Ultra marathon runners
About Gold Geese:
1. As well as offering families support, Gold Geese also raises awareness of childhood cancer signs and symptoms, including delivering training workshops to childcare practitioners and parents.
2. Gold Geese receives no Government funding and relies on community donations for its work.
3. The charity was founded by Katie Southgate in 2018, following her child’s cancer diagnosis. Understanding the impact of a diagnosis, Katie set up the charity to help other local families in the same situation. Her child is now cancer-free.
4. Our slogan is We Fly Together, because Geese are a team and no one is left behind. #weflytogether #goldgeese
5. Contact us at www.goldgeese.org; facebook.com/goldgeesecharity; instagram.com/goldgeese