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Hero Run 2026

Hero Run 2026

29th

MAR

2026

Colchester Sports Park

29th March

9:00

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Event information

Join us on Sunday 29th March at Colchester Sports Park for a fun-filled day for the whole family! Dress up as your hero and take on our 2km family fun run, or if you're a runner, challenge yourself with a 5km or 10km run – all while supporting St Helena Hospice.

Event village and registration opens at 9:00am, with races starting from 10am.

 
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We can be heroes

The heroic action takes place on Sunday 29th March, at Colchester Sports Park, Cuckoo Farm Way, Colchester CO4 5YX. Free parking at the event venue. As well as a series of fun runs, there will be an event village - think stalls, food and drinks, and some super cool comic book heroes appearing as if by magic.

Fun runs take place over several distances, with something for all abilities - from have-a-go-heroes to sprint superstars:

5km

Fundraising entry:
Adult (16+) ticket: £10
Child (7-15) ticket: £10

Non-fundraising entry:
Adult (16+) ticket: £30
Child (7-15) ticket: £12

10km

Fundraising entry:
Adult (16+) ticket: £15

Non-fundraising entry:
Adult (16+) ticket: £38

Family 2km

Fundraising entry:
Family (4+ with adult) ticket: £6

Saunders Hero

Make your support even more super with sponsorship! £50 gets you onto the starting line at our reduced rate.

We're holding out for a hero...

Whether you love Batman, Supergirl, Leo Messi or Taylor Swift, all heroes are invited. So don your capes, your kits, or Eras outfit and pay homage to your hero as you run!

Sign up now and become a hero!

Hero Run 2026 terms and conditions

Hero Run FAQs

What is the 'Hero Run' event?
The Hero Run is a family-friendly running event consisting of three distances – Family 2k, 5k and 10k. The event will take place on the cycle track at Colchester Sports Park and participants of all ages are able to participate.
When is it?
Sunday 29th March 2026
Where is it?
Colchester Sports Park, Cuckoo Farm Way, Colchester, Essex CO4 5YX.
What distance can I run?
Adults (16yrs+) can choose between the 5k and 10k distances.
Children aged 7-15yrs can choose the 5k and /or 2k Family Fun Run.
Children (4-15yrs) can take part in the Family 2k with accompanying adult*

*As per parkrun, children aged 4+ can participate and is the adults discretion as to the child running solo. We recommend an adult accompanying children where possible, and an adult can accompany 2 children free of charge.
What time does it start?
9am = Registration opens for all participants with focus on Family 2k registering first

10am = Family 2k starts

10.45am = 5k + 10k distances start

9am onwards – Event Village open with stalls, food & much more
Is there a course map?
No – the cycle track will be clearly marked as 1km laps and so the following distances will apply:

· Family 2k – 2 laps

· 5k – 5 laps

· 10k – 10 laps
How much is it to register?

· Family 2k - £6 per child with fundraising target of £50.00 (adults run free but must confirm they are running at sign up)

· 5k - £10 per runner with fundraising target of £50.00

· 10k - £15 per runner with fundraising target of £50.00

· Adult 5k – £30.00 with no fundraising (on the day ticket the same)

· Adult 10k - £38.00 with no fundraising (on the day ticket the same)

· On the day Child - £12.00

Can my school take part?
Of course. We are encouraging schools to attend and register a team.
Is the course UK Affiliated and chip timed?
The emphasis on this event is a ‘FUN RUN’ and encourages all ages/abilities. The course is measured by Colchester Sports Park and the track is cornered off to measure 1km laps.

The event is not chip timed.
How much sponsorship money do I have to raise?
A sponsorship target of £50 per person is suggested. When forming teams, the sponsorship target can be reflected to achieve this. For example, two siblings running together would have a combined total of £100 fundraising target.
Do I have to dress up?
It is not obligatory to dress up, however many runners, in particular, the children will dress up as their favourite ‘Hero’. This will create an atmosphere and we encourage adults to do the same.
Is it superhero themed like previous years?
It can be, our ‘Hero Run’ is to emphasise not all heroes wear capes and so leaves it open to dressing up as YOUR hero. It could be a sports hero, policeman or doctor or yes of course your superhero favourites such as superman, wonder woman or batman. The option is yours.
Are refreshments available on the day?
Yes – we will have water available for all runners and catering will be on offer within our event village.
Are toilets open and available on the day?
Yes – toilets are available in the sports park and portaloos will be available.
Can I pay on the day?
Yes - Prices are £38 for the 10km and £30 for the 5km races. The family 2km run for a child is £12 on the day.
Can I bring my dog?
Unfortunately, you cannot bring your dog to this event.
Are the routes suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs?
Yes, the facility is accessible for both pushchairs and wheelchair users.
Will I receive a medal?
Yes, all those ‘registered’ as a runner will receive a medal.

Event Sponsors

Thank you to our heroic sponsor Jones and Whymark for their continued support of Hero Run!

Jones & Whymark logo

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