31 March 2026 •
Local rail operator c2c Railway has today announced that Prostate Cancer UK has been nominated as its official charity partner for the third annual c2c Essex Ultra Marathon which takes place this September.
c2c has announced that Prostate Cancer, the UK charity whose aim is to save men’s lives by improving prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support for prostate cancer, is the official charity partner of this year’s c2c Essex Ultra Marathon.
Registrations are now open for the event – The c2c Essex Ultra 2026 | Charity Ultra Running – which takes place on Saturday 12 September, and there are 10, 30 and 50-mile race options for runners of all ages (over 18) and abilities.
All three distances take in the Essex Riviera while closely following the c2c train route from Upminster (50 miles), Tilbury (30 miles) and Benfleet (10 miles) out east to the finish line in Shoeburyness.
Commenting, c2c’s Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said:
“I am delighted that Prostate Cancer UK, a charity nominated by c2c colleagues, is our official charity partner for this year’s c2c Essex Ultra Marathon.
“Working alongside our partners at Prostate Cancer UK and XNRG, we are coming together to help raise awareness and vital funds for prostate cancer – the most common cancer in men – while also giving our runners a race experience and day they will never forget.
“This year’s event sees the addition of a new 10-mile route, which I hope will inspire even more people – including many members of the c2c team and the communities we serve – to lace up their trainers and walk, jog or run the Essex Thameside.
“Registrations are now open on the XNRG website and I urge everyone to book their places now and take advantage of our great ‘early bird’ rates.”
All proceeds from the c2c Essex Ultra Marathon – raised through race entry fees and additional sponsorship raised by entrants – will go directly to Prostate Cancer UK.
Seren Evans, Senior Head of Mass Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said:
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with over 63,000 men diagnosed each year. But it’s completely curable if found early, so awareness really can be a lifesaver.
“We’re so grateful for the support of c2c employees for nominating us as their official charity partner for this year’s c2c Essex Ultra Marathon. Runner registration fees could support ground-breaking research to stop this disease damaging the lives of men and their loved ones.
“Everyone who supports Prostate Cancer UK has their own story, some heart-breaking and others heart-warming, but all united with a common aim to build a future where no man dies of prostate cancer.
“We thank c2c and Essex Ultra runners for going that extra mile and helping to save men’s lives.”
The entry fees for all three races are as follows:
10-miles
- Standard – £39
30-miles
- Early bird – £75 (register before 12 August)
- Standard – £85
50-Mile Route
- Early bird – £95 (register before 12 August)
- Standard – £105
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
About DFTO
- DFTO is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027.
- The group’s current train operating companies are: c2c, Greater Anglia, LNER, Northern, Southeastern, South Western Railway, TransPennine Express and WM Trains (London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway).
- DFTO runs more than 8,500 services each weekday and delivers more than 660 million customer journeys across its networks every year.
About Prostate Cancer
- Prostate Cancer UK is the UK’s biggest public funder of prostate cancer research, and delivers support services and award-winning health information trusted by doctors and the NHS to help men navigate the disease. Our mission is a future where no man dies of prostate cancer – and the next leap forward will be a national screening program.
- Over the last 16 years we’ve led key scientific advances that have brought us closer to screening than ever before, by developing more accurate tests and treatments that are kinder to men, and campaigning for their adoption across the UK. Our £42 million TRANSFORM trial is testing four of the most promising screening protocols to find the best way to test men across the country. And our 30-second Risk Checker has reached more than 4 million men, boosted early diagnosis and shown that mass awareness saves lives.
- Everything we do is powered by donations from our supporters and developed in collaboration with men with prostate cancer.
- Prostate Cancer UK has funded more than £120 million in research – now £10-12 million annually as the biggest public funder of prostate cancer research in the UK.
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer, and if you’re Black, that risk is doubled.
Images
Featured Image: c2c Ultra Marathon – 30 mile start
Second Image: Supporting Prostate Cancer UK
Third Image: c2c Ultra Marathon logo
Fourth Image: c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen