WELCOME TO ANOTHER CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE THAMESIDE 10K, 5K AND 1K (Teenie's) 2026 RUNS AND GET A FANTASTIC MEDAL (stop press!!! - free teenies run place with each adult entry)

ENTRIES ON THE DAY - Will be available at £2 additional cost (early bird pricing  available online)

Online entries open until 11pm Friday 22nd May 2026.

Together Essex Wildlife Trust Thameside Nature Discovery Centre and our partners Phoenix Striders Walking and Running Club (www.phoenixstriders.org.uk), are offering another chance to celebrate it's wonderful nature reserve and to take part in runs and get great medals on Sunday 24th May 2026. This will raise funds for EWT and Phoenix's charity of the year "Brighter Outcomes for Special People" (BOSP).

10k - minimum entry Age 16 - Starting at 10am, the 10k will be 2 laps from the visitor centre following a hard packed path to the sea wall, participants will  follow the tarmac path to the furthest point and return along the top of the sea wall with views of the visitor centre, Thames and Kent. They will return to the path and on the first lap join the driveway back to the centre where they will join the second lap, this time when they get to the drive the route goes along the edge of the reserve with views to Southend and a long downhill finish at the centre. Entrants will receive a bespoke medal and a chance to win a trophy. Trophies will be given to 1st, 2nd & 3rd male and female overall,1st, 2nd & 3rd male and female veteran (aged 40+) and a Club Trophy for "most attendance". In addition, all participants will receive a free child's place in the Teenie's Race (collectable with their event bib on the day). Those wanting additional children's entries will be able to purchase tickets from race control for £5 on the day. 

5k - minimum entry Age 12 - Starting at 10:10am, the 5k group will do the second lap of the 10k route. All entrants will receive a bespoke medal and the chance to win a trophy. Trophies will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd male and female overall, 1st, 2nd & 3rd male and female U16 and a Club Trophy for "most attendance". In addition, all participants will receive a free child's place in the Teenie's Race (collectable with their event bib on the day). Those wanting additional children's entries will be able to purchase tickets from race control for £5 on the day. 

Teenies run - Starting at 11.50am the teenies run is 2 loops of the track round the visitor centre (which can be viewed from the roof) and is about 1k in distance. This is an untimed fun event for all the family to accompany their teenies. All the teenies taking part will receive a brightly coloured event medal. Tickets will only bee needed if you have more children than enties or you are not in either race. Siblings, parents and families are encouraged to run with the very small children. 

There are no changing facilities at the Centre, but there are toilets inside.

The Centre sells a range of Essex Wildlife Trust gifts and mementos, hot and cold drinks, hot and cold snacks, ice creams and sweets.

Confirmation of entry and full details of parking and transport will be sent to you by email (if supplied) to the email address provided on the entry form.

Race numbers are to be collected on the day from the Discovery Centre, so please arrive early to collect your number as the overflow car park is a distance from the Centre. 

Prizes will be presented on the day as soon as possible after the race has finished and the results compiled.

Results will be posted on the series website http://www.phoenixstriders.org.uk

The events are being run under UKA rules - (Approved TRA permit no.TBA)

Minimum age for 10k is 16yrs; Minimum age for 5k is 12yrs

Charities supported by this event:

Essex Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity, committed  to protecting wildlife and inspiring a lifelong love of nature. They manage nature reserves and discovery parks across the county. https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves/thameside 

Brighter Outcomes for Special People (BOSP) - BOSP improves the lives of children and young adults with complex disabilities or life-limiting conditions, and their families, by providing high-quality, fun, educational activities, support and respite care.                                                                                         BOSP Brighter Opportunities for Special People, Pitsea, Basildon