c2c managing director Rob Mullen wants their inaugural ultra marathon to be a platform to build on.

Runners had the option to race a 50 mile or 30 mile course which both followed a similar path to the train-line before finishing at Southend Central station.

And Mullen, who completed the 50 mile race himself, hopes the event - which raised £25,000 for the Railway Children charity - can now be held more regularly.

“Today has been over a year in the making and I am so delighted and humbled to have been able to bring this event to Southend while also raising vital funds for Railway Children in the process,” said Mullen.

“This great city deserves a recognised ultra marathon and I’ll be working with my team to see if we can do it all again next year.”

The winner of the 50 mile race, in a time of seven hours, 47 minutes and 50 seconds was Adam Pope.

And the 48-year-old, who is a charity worker from Lewisham was pleased to win his first ever ultra marathon at the 146th attempt.

“It was absolutely brilliant and I just can’t believe it,” said Pope.

“I had hoped for a top 10 finish but to win it is beyond my wildest dreams.

“It really was tough going at times, but the support of the volunteers across the route, along with a couple of podcasts and punk music playing in my headphones, got me through.

“I feel as though I will wake up in the morning and this will have all been a dream.”

The winner of the 30-mile race, in a time of 3:51:00, was Stephen Kirsh, a member of Southend Athletics Club and a PE teacher at the FitzWimarc School in Rayleigh.

The 24-year-old said: : “I’m absolutely buzzing!

“Everything about the race was just brilliant, from the organisation, the signposting of the route, the ever-changing landscape, the supporters on the course and at aid stations, it really was first-class.

“I can’t wait to come back next year to see you all and defend my title!”

“I’m now off for a celebratory pint with my dad.

“He’s my inspiration and the person who got me into long-distance running.”

The first female athletes across the finish line were (50-miles) Jayne Rudolph in time of 9:28:31 and (30-miles) Beki Hilton-Hanns 4:39:09.

And Bethan Marshall, Events & Corporate Fundraising Officer at Railway Children was delighted to see so much money raised “To raise £25k is absolutely fantastic and will provide enough money to run one of our emergency shelters in India for a year,” said Marshall.

“That’s one whole year of providing emergency food, clothing, and a safe place to stay for children found alone and in danger at a station in India.

“What an amazing event with a brilliant outcome – thank you to everyone at c2c and all of the heroes who ran on Saturday.” The Railway Children are a charity which works to support vulnerable children alone and at risk on the streets and at transport hubs in the UK, India and Tanzania.