Entries for the Chelmsford CM Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K races that comprise Chelmsford Race Weekend reached capacity and there were 1,548 finishers overall, with 1,061 of those opting for the longest event on Sunday (5 March 2023).

This event is based at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), starts in the city centre, and follows a new course on fully closed roads. The half marathon enjoys a relatively flat route along Parkway, High Bridge, Essex Yeomanry Way, Chelmer Village Way, and on to the finish at ARU, with a total elevation gain of no more than 100 metres.

Race numbers and timing chips could be collected from Friday lunchtime and all three races started together at 9:00am, creating a wonderful race atmosphere. Five Physio was on hand offering free pre-race and recovery massage and catering outlets included a juice bar, vegan food van, and streetfood for all tastes.

And so it was on with the action and the 'Harrow Arrow' Daniel Titcomb (Harrow AC, 1:09:35) simply flew through the 13.1-mile course in a brilliant sub-70 minute time, just shy of his best ever 1:09:17 set when finishing 34th in last year's Great North Run.

Chris Braisher (M40 unattached, 1:11:17) and Callum Gillett (Braintree AC, 1:12:48) were the nearest challengers on a cold morning in the county town of Essex.

The top three women were Janine Makaronidis (Mornington Chasers, 1:27:26) and Springfield Striders' Nicole Frisby (1:28:23) and Jessica White (1:32:38).

First home in the 10K race were Oscar Graham-Pereira (Braintree & District AC, 33:03) and Lauren Hayes (unattached, 46:17) while the first to arrive back at the ARU finish line were the 5K winners Craig Puncher (unattached, 17:40) and Acacia Hawkins (Braintree & District AC, 24:03).

Results are available via runABC South race listing here.

Image courtesy Chelmsford Half Marathon on Facebook