Supported by
Charity Partner
Live Together. Run Together.
Community RunFest
A family running festival for all ages and abilities.
Our health matters, and so does the strength of our community.
Community RunFest is about more than just running. It’s about bringing together runners, families, and supporters to celebrate health, connection, and the spirit of Rayleigh. At its heart, this event shines a light on the incredible local services that support our health and wellbeing, while creating a space where people can come together, move more, and feel part of something bigger.
We believe healthier lives are built through connection - by encouraging one another, supporting local initiatives, and creating opportunities for everyone to get involved. Through Community RunFest, we aim to inspire positive habits, strengthen relationships, and create lasting memories that benefit our town long after the event is over.
This is an opportunity for residents, families, and local businesses to come together, celebrate Rayleigh, and build a stronger, more connected community.
Rayleigh, Sunday 12th July 2026
Sign Up Now
King George V Park
Entertainment
Family Festival Atmosphere
Supporting Community Charities
2.5k - 5k - 10k
Local Stalls
About RunFest Rayleigh
Sunday 12th July 2026
Community RunFest Rayleigh is a brand-new community running event bringing together families, schools, clubs, local businesses and residents from Rayleigh and across Essex.
This is more than a race. It’s a shared day out celebrating local pride, wellbeing and community spirit.
With a free 2.5K child-friendly fun run, alongside 5K and 10K routes, RunFest Rayleigh is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities. Whether it’s a child experiencing their first event, a beginner setting a personal goal, or an experienced runner taking on a challenge - everyone is welcome.
Taking place at King George V Playing Fields, the event combines safe, accessible routes with a vibrant festival atmosphere. Expect children’s activities, family entertainment, and stalls from local businesses and community organisations, creating a lively and welcoming space for all.
With over 750 runners expected, alongside spectators, volunteers and partners, RunFest Rayleigh aims to become a major highlight in the town’s calendar - built on encouragement rather than competition.
This is more than a race.
It’s a shared day out celebrating local pride, wellbeing and community spirit.
RACE INFORMATION & TICKETS
Rayleigh, Sunday 12th July 2026
Run For Charity
Fundraising for our community run..
We are proud to be supporting our official charity partner Gold Geese through this event, and we’d love for you to get involved by fundraising as part of your run.
To make things simple, we’ve set up an event page on GiveStar where you can quickly create your own fundraising page and start collecting donations.
Whether you choose to support our official charity partner or a cause that’s personal to you, every pound raised will make a meaningful difference.
Getting started is easy:
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Visit our GiveStar event page using the link below
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Click “Start Fundraising”
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Choose our official charity partner; Gold Geese or select your own chosen charity
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Personalise your page and share it with friends, family, and colleagues
Gold Geese Charity
Gold Geese offers tailored emotional and practical support to families of children with cancer in South East Essex, providing therapy funding, gifts, trips, transport help, raising awareness, encouraging donations and donors.
A message from Katie
Founder, Gold Geese Charity
"Going through childhood cancer as a family is a nightmare. It hits everyone from the poorly child, to the siblings, the parents, aunts and uncles and grandparents. Everyone.
As a family, my daughter's diagnosis of Leukaemia in 2014 shook us all to our core. We had so much support, which I'll forever be grateful for. After two years of chemotherapy and hospital stays, she finished treatment and we started offering bits of support onto other families, as a "pay it forward" gesture. Since then, the charities been registered and has grown every year.
Gold Geese has supported more than 150 families since then, with things like food shopping, travel, weekends away, end of treatment parties and hundreds of hours of counselling.
We are thrilled to be charity partner for Community RunFest! I'll be running myself and getting my son involved, although he will be streets ahead of me! My daughter will inevitably be photographer for us!"
For over 200K alternative charities visit
Against All Odds
Running isn't about being the fastest, it's about feeling welcome enough to start.
Many people want to get active but face real barriers that make starting feel difficult. Community RunFest removes these obstacles to help everyone feel welcome, supported and confident to take part.
Safety
Organised routes, volunteers and shared participation mean you’re never alone - helping you feel safe and supported.
Mental Health
Motivation and confidence can be challenging. Being part of a supportive community can make taking that first step feel easier.
Weather
The British weather isn’t always perfect. This event focuses on enjoyment, not performance - come as you are and do what you can.
Time
Busy schedules can make exercise feel impossible. RunFest encourages realistic participation - even small steps count.
Age
Running has no age limit. Whether you’re young, older, or returning after years away, participation matters more than pace.
Social Media & Screen Time
Unhealthy screen time affects health across generations. Community RunFest promotes supportive, positive participation, in a pressure free environment.
Fitness Levels
You don’t need to be “a runner.” Walking, jogging, stopping and starting are all part of the journey.
Be Part of the First Community RunFest
Why sign up?
Joining Community RunFest means being part of something bigger than a race.
On race day, King George V Park will be the beating heart of Community RunFest Rayleigh, with a vibrant hub of activities to keep runners, families, and supporters entertained throughout the morning. The park will be buzzing with energy, offering something for everyone, whether you’ve taken part in the race, come to cheer on friends, or simply want to enjoy a fantastic community day out.
Visitors can look forward to a range of entertainment and attractions. To make the event truly family-friendly, the park will host a variety of game stalls, arts and crafts activities, and representatives from some of the fantastic local services available in the community.
Visitors will have the chance to take part in activities with them and pick up helpful information. We hope families and friends will feel encouraged to stay through to the 1pm finish. This festival-style atmosphere will ensure Community RunFest Rayleigh is remembered not only as a sporting event, but as a day of fun, connection, and community pride.
To enquire about becoming a vendor and hiring a pitch then complete the contact us form below.
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Share a unique community experience
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Support local charities and services
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Enjoy a full family festival atmosphere
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Be part of the very first event
Contact Us
Get in touch to sign up for RunFest, volunteer, or become a partner. A member of our team will get back to you soon.