Halstead, United Kingdom · Saturday 25 April 2026
The Halstead & Essex Marathon, held on May 11, 2025, is a highly regarded event in the UK, consistently rated among the top five marathons in the country. Established in 1995, it has grown into a well-supported annual event, attracting participants from across the UK and beyond. The race takes place on scenic, low-traffic roads in a beautiful region of North Essex, offering an abundance of hidden back roads amidst rolling hills, woods, and farmlands.\n\nThe course is undulating, with an 'out-run
Adjusted Time
4:00:24
Time difference: +0.4 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Halstead & Essex Marathon is a full marathon held in Halstead, United Kingdom, scheduled for Saturday 25 April 2026. The course is run on road surface with 278m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 87m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Halstead & Essex Marathon website.
With 278m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 55m to 87m above sea level (32m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.
Based on historical weather data for April, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from 10°C to 16°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a low chance of rain (19%), so dry conditions are likely.
Halstead & Essex Marathon is run on road surfaces, which provide the fastest and most predictable conditions for marathon running. Road courses allow for consistent pacing and are typically the best choice for runners targeting a personal best time.
Our difficulty rating for Halstead & Essex Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Halstead & Essex Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
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