The Brantham 5 Mile and Junior Fun Run returns on 10 July 2026 with another busy Friday evening of racing planned at Brantham Leisure Centre near Manningtree. The long established community event once again forms part of the Suffolk Grand Prix series and continues to attract a strong mix of club runners, local runners and families from across the region.

The five mile race starts at 7pm following the junior fun run earlier in the evening, with organisers again expecting a lively atmosphere around the leisure centre grounds and surrounding village roads. Early bird entries opened earlier this year, with discounted places available before the standard entry period begins in January.

The race has become a popular part of the East Anglian summer running calendar thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and strong local support. Club runners chasing Suffolk Grand Prix points line up alongside runners simply looking to enjoy a relaxed summer evening race close to the Essex and Suffolk border.

Organisers continue to support St Elizabeth Hospice through the event, helping maintain the community focus that has long been part of the Brantham 5. The combination of the main race and junior event also gives the evening a broader family feel compared with many standalone road races.

One of the main attractions for runners is the straightforward Friday evening format. The event offers competitive racing without losing its village atmosphere, while the inclusion in the Suffolk Grand Prix series continues to draw strong club participation from across the county.

Entries remain open ahead of the July return, with organisers encouraging runners to enter early as interest continues to build for another popular summer evening in Brantham.

You can enter the event here via racesonline.

Image AI enhanced courtesy Brantham 5 on Facebook.