Date
Saturday 17 July 2027
Start point
Tendring Hundred Showground
Distances
Full marathon, half marathon and 10k
Escape to nature and take on a 10k, half marathon or full marathon experience at Dedham Vale National Landscape, nestled along the stunning Suffolk-Essex border. You’ll explore rolling meadows, the River Stour and pass by Flatford Mill, immortalised in Constable’s most famous painting, The Hay Wain, all whilst supporting life-saving research.
Whether you're an experienced hiker or it's your first time, we're with you every step of the way. Ramble, amble or stride – solo or with a group – as you join a community that’s powering progress for people affected by cancer.
Entry fee: £25 Fundraising target: £300 Age: 16+
Entry fee: £20 Fundraising target: £250 Age: 14+
Entry fee: £20 Fundraising target: £200 Age: 12+
Image by Laura Ashman
Explore the beautiful scenery of Dedham Vale National Landscape, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on this hiking experience. You'll start in Manningtree and walk across rolling meadows, through magnificent woodlands and along the River Stour on a fully signposted route. Find more details about the route in the Event details below.
Depending on your pace, we estimate the routes will take:
10k (6 miles): 1.5 - 3 hours
Half marathon: 3.5 - 6 hours
Full marathon: 7 - 12 hours
Image by Laura Ashman
Cancer Research UK t-shirt and medal
Branded t-shirt in your entry pack and a medal at the finish line.
Fundraising and training support
Tips and resources to help you reach your fundraising goal and expert training plans
Chip-timed results
You'll receive an official finish time and a downloadable certificate
Fully signposted route and support points
With marshals and volunteers along the way.
Toilets
Available at the start, finish and route support points.
Water and refreshments
Water refill points, hot drinks and snacks for all distances and lunch will be provided for full marathon hikers.
Your entry fee covers the cost of your event, but your fundraising helps us save and improve lives. Get tips, ideas and resources to help you hit your target and raise money for life-saving research.
Whether you're new to hiking or a regular walker, it's important to prepare. Get your training plan and tips on nutrition for the big day.
Share support, photos, training tips and fundraising inspiration with your fellow Big Hikers! This is a great way to connect with other hikers before the big day.
Nearly 1 in 2 of us will get cancer in our lifetime. Every pound you raise helps us say yes to more chances of diagnosis, preventing and providing kinder treatments to those living with cancer.
Could fund an international trial improving treatment for children and young people with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) for one day.
Could fund our team of nine cancer nurses and their amazing work with people affected by cancer for one hour.
Could fund a lab technician for one week, bringing us closer to the next research breakthrough.
Once you sign up for your Big Hike event, you'll receive a welcome pack with all the need-to-know details to help you feel fully prepared for the day.
The start and finish point is Tendring Hundred Showground, Lawford House Park, Nr Manningtree, Essex, CO11 2NE. We strongly recommend using what3words to identify the exact location of your Big Hike venue.
Please head to the event site 45 minutes* before your start time; we'll email you a reminder of your time as soon as you've signed up.
*Please note if you have signed up for the 10k event, your start time is the departure time for your 10 minute coach journey to the start line. Please arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before this.
Walk in the footsteps of one of Britain’s most celebrated artists as you journey through the stunning Suffolk and Essex countryside. All routes pass through the setting of John Constable’s iconic painting, The Hay Wain, just 5 km from the finish line, offering a truly memorable moment along the way.
All routes are fully signposted and our marshals and volunteers will be there to assist you along the way.
This full marathon hike takes you along the Essex Way, across rolling meadows, through small woods and picturesque villages. You then join the St Edmunds Way and the Stour Valley Path hugging the winding River Stour for miles. The hike will follow a circular, clockwise route climbing ≈ 1,100 ft. It has three support points where you'll find hot drinks, a selection of snacks and fruit, water, medics, ample bench seating, music and toilets.
Maps: See the route map* and elevation map.(PNG, 28.8 KB)
This half marathon hike takes you along the Essex Way, across rolling meadows, through small woods and picturesque villages. You then join the Stour Valley Path, hugging the winding River Stour for miles. The hike will follow a circular, clockwise route climbing ≈ 500 ft. It has one support point where you'll find hot drinks, a selection of snacks and fruit, water, medics, ample bench seating, music and toilets.
Maps: See the route map* and elevation map.(PNG, 26.7 KB)
This 10k hike starts at the medieval village of Langham where you will join the Stour Valley Path hugging the River Stour for a few miles, passing historic cottages and mills and ancient woodland. The hike will follow a linear route climbing ≈ 200 ft. There will be a water refill station along the route.
Maps: See the route map* and elevation map(PNG, 23.4 KB).
*Please note that the routes are subject to change.
Free car parking is available to all hikers at the start/finish venue: Tendring Hundred Showground, Lawford House Park, Nr Manningtree, Essex, CO11 2NE. Please use what3words for the precise location.
Toilet facilities will be available at the start and finish areas and at support points along the route.
Water refill points, hot drinks and snacks will be provided at the start area for all distances and at support points along the route for full marathon and half marathon hikers. There will be a water refill station along the route for 10k hikers.
Full marathon hikers will receive lunch at the second support point.
Dietary requirements will be catered for on the day. We'll send you an email around one month before your event to ask for your dietary requirements - please complete this as soon as possible.
The start/finish venue is wheelchair-friendly, but the course is not. If you're taking part in the Big Hike and wish to bring a carer with you, please ask your carer to call 0300 123 2424 and we can talk them through the process.
Dogs are not allowed, except for service dogs.
No bag drop is available.
