28 May 2026 •
Local rail operator c2c Railway will be providing free train travel for those taking part in this year’s Southend Half Marathon on Sunday 14 June 2026.
To claim the free return trip, participating runners simply need to present their official race number or finisher’s medal to c2c colleagues, at both their departure and arrival stations.
Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Rob Mullen, said:
“As a keen runner myself, I am delighted to be able to offer our participating customers free transport on the c2c line for the Southend Half Marathon this year.
“The number of good causes and charities that are being supported by runners across the UK and in our local communities is incredible to see, and I would like to personally wish everybody running in the 2026 Southend Half Marathon the best of luck!”
Now in its 30th year, the Southend Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 14th June 2026, starting and finishing at East Beach, Shoeburyness. The 13.1-mile route follows the estuary coastline, offering a fast, flat and traffic-free course that attracts 3,000 runners from across the South East, the wider UK, and as far afield as Europe and the USA.
The event is a flagship fundraiser for Havens Hospices, which provides free specialist, compassionate care for children, young people and adults living with incurable conditions across Essex.
For those planning to head to Southend and support those taking part in the Half Marathon, buy your tickets online three or more days in advance and save 33% on Off-Peak Return tickets.
Furthermore, if the Southend Half Marathon has inspired you to take on your own fitness challenge, c2c is hosting its own ‘Ultra’ marathon on Saturday 12 September, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK.
Rob Mullen, added:
“If you want to go that extra few miles (literally), everybody is welcome to sign up to our Ultra Marathon in September, where we’ll be running – and walking – to raise vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Anglia’s journey towards Great British Railways
Anglia’s integrated railway brings together the leadership of c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under a single, unified structure.
This new structure is part of wider plans to create Great British Railways (GBR), bringing track and train closer together to deliver a better, more joined-up railway for customers and communities in Anglia.
The structure is designed to support closer operational coordination across infrastructure, train services and customer delivery.
Existing ticketing and customer arrangements remain unchanged, and customers will continue to see the current company identities as the railway transitions towards GBR.
The Anglia route serves a fast-growing region, connecting commuters, leisure travellers, ports, power stations and more, as well as Stansted and Southend airports.
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.
Images
Featured Image: Southend Half Marathon
Second Image: c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen