The Kirste 5 Memorial Race

The race brings together runners of all ages and abilities and supports
and remembers all our friends and family affected by cancer.

Kirste was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and underwent six bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She passed away on February 9th, 2012, at the age of just 42 after raising more than £50,000 for breast cancer charities by running 23 marathons while fighting the disease.

Her smiling face will be forever missed.

“Superb,uplifting,inspirational – just as Kirste would have wanted.

This is a memorial race in honour of my extraordinary brave and special wife Kirste.

She loved running because of the camaraderie ,warmth and friendship she found with fellow runners.

These gave Kirste the courage to fight cancer and to continue running for seven years. This race exemplifies all these values and is also a lovely friendly and great value race.”

To design a more fitting tribute would be difficult if not impossible, the event you guys created is the perfect tribute. You will find nobody that knew Kirste saying anything different.

John Bowman

All profits from this race are donated equally between Macmillan Cancer Support (261017), and Southend Breast Unit (1057266).

The race is organised by “The Running Community” – local running clubs and groups coming together to ensure the race is a success every year;

Hockley Trail Runners
Rochford Running Club
Flyers Southend
Leigh on Sea Striders
Rayleigh RAT Runners (Road & Trail)
Essex Ladies
Castle Point Joggers
Finish Line Fund
Friends of Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park

Since its inception in 2012 the race has raised £52,960 and will celebrate it’s physical 10th Anniversary on 23rd July 2023.

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We are proudly inclusive of all members of the LGBT+ community and we welcome entrants as female, male or non-binary.

We are committed to ‘spreading the message far and wide that there is no room for homophobia, transphobia and biphobia in sport’ by signing up to the Sports Charter.