You can certainly expect a carnival atmosphere at Clacton-on-Sea for the return of the Clacton Carnival Half Marathon and 10K on Sunday (21 August). This will be the eighth running of this popular event that is both the highlight and conclusion of the week-long Clacton Carnival.

The races follow a route that takes in the upper and lower promenades on the seafront, with plenty of holidaymakers to cheer everyone on. The half marathon is a two-lap course and the 10K is one lap, with both races starting together for that mass participation feeling. 

Last year there were exactly 500 finishers in the two main events. Danny Rock, of Felixtowe Road Runners in a new course record (1:12:22) and Ruby Featherstone (unattached, 1:32:32) led the way in the half marathon, while the 10K champions were Steve Strange (Tonbridge) in a course record 32:24, and junior female Grace Mason (Bishops Stortford RC, 40:53).

The women's event records are held by Rachael Sweatt (Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners, 1:23:28) and Laura Thomas (Ipswich Jaffa RC, 38:28) respectively – both set in 2019.

Clacton Carnival Half Marathon and 10K start at 09:30am on the seafront promenade opposite Fourth Avenue in the largest town on the Essex Sunshine Coast on the Tendring Peninsula. 

Clacton's two claims to fame are the 'Clacton Spear' and Clacton Pier. The former is a wooden spear found at Clacton in 1911 that has been dated 450,000 years ago, the oldest such implement to have been discovered in Britain. Clacton Pier was the first building of the new resort of Clacton-on-Sea and was opened in 1871. The focal point now is a 50 feet (15 metres) tall helter-skelter that has featured in the event medals (pictured above).

Here is a short video to give you a sense of what to expect if you have not run this event before.

The entry limit is 750 runners and on-the-day entries are usually available priced at £25 for the 10K and £30 for the half marathon. There is also a Fun Run available at £5 for each runner. Race promotion is by the experienced Nice Work team on behalf of the Clacton Carnival.

Race information, previous results, and links to the event website via runABC South race listing

Image and video courtesy Nice Work and Clacton Carnival on Facebook