On Sunday night, the streets of Leigh were filled with spooky sights as runners donned their Halloween best for the fifteenth annual Leigh-on-Sea 10k.
The event, hosted after dark, wound through the scenic Two Tree Island, historic Old Leigh, and the challenging “beastly” Belton Way hill.
Marking its milestone anniversary, organizers added a 5k option for those wanting to join the eerie fun but not up for the full distance, along with a juniors race, making it a thrilling, family-friendly event.
Despite the course’s hilly terrain and night-time setting, some impressive times were clocked.
Adam Hickey claimed victory in the 10k with a time of 31:39, while Charlotte Brooks retained her title as the first female finisher in 38:10.
In the 5k, Lewis Jopling led with 17:16, with Florence Wallace and Chloe Fotherby sharing the first place for females in 23:38.
The fancy dress prize added to the excitement, with 77-year-old Ken Carey as Beetlejuice and Klarissa Velasco as a skeleton stealing the show.
The event, organized by Leigh-on-Sea Striders, was backed by local businesses, with Run Active providing prizes and Essex Wildlife Trust allowing the nature reserve as part of the course.
c2c rail generously allowed their car park to host participants in costume, and every adult runner was welcomed at the finish with a glass of Prosecco.
And photographers Mike Jeffrey, Isaac Ovel, Mark Stennett and Malcolm Woodhouse gave up their time and positioned themselves around the course to capture the action.
Proceeds from the race went to the Alzheimer’s Society, adding to the more than £40,000 raised by the club over the years.
Angelina Harrington-Malaugh, Alzheimer’s Society’s regional fundraiser for Essex, said: “Thank you to the Leigh Striders for their amazing and dedicated support of Alzheimer’s Society,.
"Every pound raised will help to fund Alzheimer’s Society’s vital support services so we can offer help and hope to everyone affected by dementia.
"We really couldn’t do the work we do without the generous support of people like those in the Leigh Striders."
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