13 March 2025 •
There are now just six months to go before local rail operator Trenitalia c2c’s 2025 Ultra Marathon takes place – in aid of Gold Geese – on 13 September 2025.
Gold Geese is a Southend-based childhood cancer support charity and one of c2c’s closest community partners.
c2c’s latest Ultra Marathon event is being held in September to support Gold Geese’s annual Go Gold campaign, which takes place during fundraising activities as part of the annual Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
This year’s marathon again features 30-mile and 50-mile route options, delivered in partnership with running events firm, XNRG.
More than 150 people have already registered for the challenge, taking advantage of the very early bird entry fee. Those considering signing up can still benefit from a reduced entry fee, with ‘early bird’ entry available until 31 March 2025, with all proceeds going to Gold Geese.
c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said:
“Our partnership with Gold Geese is something I am incredibly proud of, what they do for young people and families in our local communities in supporting those afflicted by such a terrible illness is nothing short of inspirational.
“As many people will know, I am a keen runner myself and am looking forward to the marathon, where we can come together with the people of our local communities and demonstrate our commitment to Gold Geese.”
Katie Southgate, Gold Geese Founder, said:
“The 2025 Ultra Marathon is going to be incredible and our most challenging, awe-inspiring fundraising event to date – and we’d love as many people as possible to join us on the day.
“Whether you’re participating by running or walking, or simply helping cheer people on, it’s going to be a brilliant atmosphere and a huge show of support for all the families we help.”
In an update for the 2025 race, the 50-mile route will start at c2c’s Upminster station, and the 30-mile route will begin at Tilbury. Both routes will follow along the Thames going east, then the London Loop and England Coast National Trails – affectionately termed the ‘Essex Riviera’ – before finishing at Thorpe Bay station, providing an opportunity to bring the local community into celebrations at the finish line.
Runners – and walkers – taking part will also receive free travel on the c2c rail route to and from the race.
Pricing details for race entry can be found below.
50-Mile Route:
- Early bird: £80 available to 31st March 2025
- Standard: £95 from 1st April 2025 to 13th August 2025
- Late: £105 after 13th August 2025
30-Mile Route:
- Early bird: £65 available to 31st March 2025
- Standard: £75 from 1st April 2025 to 13th August 2025
- Late: £85 after 13th August 2025
For more information and to register for the event, check out the XNRG website by clicking here.
c2c’s long-standing partnership with Gold Geese has seen one of our 357 trains wrapped with Gold Geese branding, showing our support for the charity and those affected by the terrible disease in our local communities. To date, the train has covered over 250,000 miles since September 2022, 12,000 more than it takes to get to the Moon!
Furthermore, c2c has provided travel for numerous ‘Gold’ families with affected children for hospital appointments and visits.
Additionally, we at c2c were proud to support Gold Geese’s first ‘Goslings’ seafront event, to raise vital funds for local families facing childhood cancer.
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.
- Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 35.8 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
About Gold Geese
- 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.
- Gold Geese receives no Government funding and relies on community donations for its work.
- 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.
- Our slogan is We Fly Together, because Geese are a team and no one is left behind. #weflytogether #goldgeese
- Contact us at www.goldgeese.org; facebook.com/goldgeesecharity; instagram.com/goldgeese
About childhood cancer [taken from www.cancerresearchuk.org.uk]
- Children’s cancer is much less common than adult cancer.
- In the UK around 1,900 children (aged 0 – 14 years) get diagnosed with cancer each year. This number includes non cancerous (benign) brain tumours.
- Children develop different types of cancers than adults but they often have the same types of treatments.
- Cancer symptoms can be similar to those of other childhood illnesses. For signs and symptoms visit www.goldgeese.org.
- If you have any concerns about your child’s health contact your doctor. Gold Geese staff are not medically trained.
Images
Featured Image – ‘Katie Southgate with the c2c Gold Geese Train’
Secondary Image – ‘Katie Southgate with Rob Mullen’
Third Image – ‘c2c Ultra Marathon 2024’