Clarion Call For Clacton
Come on down to Clacton for a carnival race that's no procession...
For a race with a guaranteed carnival atmosphere, look no further than this Sunday's (20 August) Clacton Carnival Half Marathon and 10K. Record the Women's World Cup Final to watch later and head down to the Clacton-on-Sea promenade for the ninth Clacton Carnival Half Marathon and 10K.
The forecast is for 20-22C with sunny intervals and a gentle breeze – perfect conditions for a fast race with the possibility that course records will be broken. The current half marathon champions are M40 Wayne De'ath (unattached, 1:14:48) and Rosie Wild (unattached, 1:25:07) and the 10K winners last year were M40 Dan Tate (Selby Striders, 33:55) and Anna Keeble (Ipswich Jaffa RC, 45:02).
No new records were set last year in warm and humid conditions, so the best times for the half marathon are 1:12:22 by Danny Rock (Felixstowe Road Runners) in 2021 and 1:23:28 by Rachael Sweatt (Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners) in 2019. The 10K records are 32:24 by Steve Strange (Tonbridge AC) in 2021 and 38:28 by Laura Thomas (Ipswich Jaffa RC) in 2019.
Last year there were 653 finishers across both races and it is looking like a capacity 750 entry for this year's events. Entries on the day, if available, will cost £35 for the half marathon; £30 for the 10K, and £6 for the Fun Run. All finishers will receive the colourful Clacton Carnival Half Marathon and 10K medal – sneak preview above.
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 at 9:30am for that exciting mass participation feel. Race promotion is by the experienced Nice Work team on behalf of Clacton Carnival.
The start is opposite Fourth Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 5BL and there's plenty of car parking available near the event HQ. The races draw the week-long Clacton Carnival events to a close and for many are the highlight of the whole occasion.
Previous results and news items are available at the runABC South race listing here.
Photos courtesy of Clacton Carnival on Facebook and Clacton Carnival website.