The annual Southend Rudolph Run brings out the very best in people who enter into the Christmas spirit of the event, while raising essential funds for two fantastic charities.

The race supports Havens Hospices and Shelter. When there is no cure, Havens Hospices can provide the care that's needed. Caring for babies, children and young people, its specialist team looks after the whole family throughout illness, death and bereavement, putting wellbeing at the centre of their support.

Shelter believes that home is a human right. Yet every day, millions of people are being devastated by a housing emergency. Shelter exists to defend people's rights to a safe home because home is everything, and never more so than at this time of year.

The latest race on Sunday, 14th December 2025, was the 14th edition to be promoted by Nice Work and one of the first races organised since the Sussex-based team won the Agency of the Year award at the Running Industry Awards last week.

Southend Rudolph Run was, as usual, totally sold out with 621 finishing the pancake-flat, five-mile course inside two hours. Fancy dress outfits were again exceptional – a veritable sea of Santas – and the weather played ball with mild conditions on the Thorpe Esplanade at Shoeburyness, just along the coast from Southend.

With less than 50 feet of ascent, this is a guaranteed fast course. The top three men beat 30 minutes and the leading trio in the women's race went under 35 minutes.

The men's podium this year was topped by Ethan Lammert (Loughborough Students, 28:06), from Joshua Sweeney (Benfleet RC, 28:51) and Alexander Chappell (Ware Joggers, 29:37).

W40 Laura Wise (Pitsea RC, 32:52) set the pace in the women's race, followed by Georgia Couzens (City of Southend AC, 33:42) – the runner-up last year – and under-20 junior Heidi Hughes (Medway & Maidstone AC, 33:58).

All finishers received a medal, festive goodies and a mince pie and the main event was preceded by the Rudolph Scurry one-mile race for children.

Southend Rudolph Run results are available via the runABC South race listing here.

Image from a previous Rudolph race courtesy of Nice Work