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In Support of Mid and North East Essex MindWe are excited to be bringing back the Colchester Zoo Stampede 10k Powered By Larking Gowen supporting Colchester Zoological Society on Sunday 16th May 2027.
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The Event
We are excited to be bringing back the Colchester Zoo Stampede 10k Powered By Larking Gowen supporting Colchester Zoological Society on Sunday 16th May 2027. Join us at the incredible Colchester Zoo for the unique opportunity to run a chip timed 10k that starts in the heart of the Zoo right between the rhinos, elephants, giraffes and zebras! Your entry will include free entry into Colchester Zoo on race day, official chip timed results, free race photos, a unique themed medal and post race goodies.
With RunThrough, you can expect a lively event village and clear guidance from our on-course team. After your run, enjoy food, drink and free finish-line goodies from our partners.
You can add an official event t-shirt to your entry at checkout for more than 30% off. Produced in partnership with RT Kit, it features the event logo on the chest and is the perfect keepsake to celebrate your race. Offering the t-shirt as an optional extra helps us keep entry costs lower for runners who prefer not to include merchandise.
Once you enter, you’ll receive a confirmation email straight away, and full event information will be sent to you closer to race day. We look forward to seeing you on the start line.
Route Information
The race will start in the zoo, heading past the animals and then lead out on to the closed roads around Colchester before finishing back in the event village.
Pacing Calculator
Pick a target time for the 10K and see the pace it takes.
Comfortable — enjoy the crowd
✓ Inside the 5:00:00 course cut-off
Race Day Schedule
We will have a secure marquee where you can leave your baggage. We recommend you bring as little baggage as possible. Your baggage tag is attached to your race number, you simply tear it off and attach to your bag. To collect, show your number to our staff and they will help you find your baggage.
There will be portable toilets in the EV as well as some on course.
There will be water provided at roughly the 5k point of the race, and there will also be water available at the finish along with your post race goodies and medal.
Spectators are more than welcome, we advise staying in the event village where you will be able to catch the finish. If spectators would like to enter the Zoo to spectate they must buy a ticket in advance and they will be able to gain access from 8am.
Buggy runners and wheelchair athletes are welcome. Please remain mindful of the runners around you and make yourself known should you need to overtake. Please bear in mind that this is an undulating and testing route for any wheelchair athlete or buggy runner. Due to the nature of the venue only assistance dogs will be permitted within the event village area and zoo premises.
Collect your race pack from the Event Village on the day — it opens at 07:30. Please bring your booking confirmation and photo ID.
We will have an official photographer at the event. Please check out our photos page after the race.
Results will be available here immediately after the race.
Local Information
| Road | Closed | Reopens |
|---|---|---|
| Maldon Road, Stanway/Birch | 08:00 | 11:00 |
| Fountainlane, Birch/Copford | 08:00 | 10:00 |
| Birch Road | 08:00 | 10:00 |
| Boarded Barn Lane | 08:00 | 10:30 |
| Rectory Road | 08:00 | 10:30 |
| Whitehouse Farm Road | 08:00 | 10:30 |
| Hardy’s Green, Birch | 08:00 | 10:30 |
| Beckingham Hall Road, Birch | 08:00 | 10:30 |
Location
Colchester Zoo, Maldon Rd, Stanway, Heckfordbridge, Colchester CO3 0SL
Get the full directions here. Colchester Zoo is located just south of Colchester. Take the A1124 exit (Junction 26) off the A12 following the brown elephant signs and using the new Stanway Western Bypass.
From the M25: About 40 minutes from Junction 28 of the M25 to reach the A12.
From Southend: About 1 hour’s journey, 40 miles using A127 and A130 to reach the A12.
From Hertfordshire: About 1 hour’s journey – 50 miles using A414 or A120 to reach the A12.
From Stansted Airport: About 50 minutes journey, 30 miles using A120 to reach the A12.
Colchester Zoo is situated on Maldon Road in Stanway.
The car park will open at 6:45 am and we would advise arriving before 7:30 am to avoid queuing into the carpark. Please expect a short queue if arriving after 7:30 am. There will be plenty of FREE parking available for all runners and spectators next to the event village.
By Rail: The nearest stations are Colchester North and Marks Tey. We advise planning your journey before the race to ensure you arrive at the train station with as much time as possible. Colchester North and Marks Tey train stations are a 4-mile walk from the zoo or a 10-minute taxi.
There is parking at Colchester Zoo. Please arrive in plenty of time as it can get congested in the car park.
In Support Of
We believe no one should face a mental health problem alone
We're Mid and North East Essex Mind, an independent, local mental health charity offering hope and support for good mental health so that no one feels alone. We offer a range of services, including counselling, crisis support and practical support in Chelmsford, Braintree, Maldon, Colchester, Clacton and surrounding areas. We are proud to be part of the Mind family, including Mind, the national charity, Local Minds and the retail shops. As the local charity supporting the community across Mid and North East Essex, we set our own strategies and generate our own income from the generosity of people like you to enable us to support the people in our community.
£119 could pay for one of our Welcome Cafés for a month. These cafés provide warm, safe spaces for members of our local community to connect, feel supported and combat loneliness.
"I have been attending the Welcome Cafes for many years. It has been a lifeline for me in many ways as I suffer from poor mental health and have made many great friendships over the years. The Welcome Café has had an unbelievable effect on my life in so many positive ways."
Each local Mind raises its own money to run services, so by supporting Mid and North East Essex Mind you are investing in our county and community. Sign up and run for Mid and North East Essex Mind to ensure that no one feels alone. Find out more at [mnessexmind.org](https://mnessexmind.org/) or call us on 01206 764600.
We're here to support families, EACH and every step of the way.
Run for East Anglia's Children's Hospices
Volunteer with RunThrough
Every event you help at earns race credit or a kit voucher:
| Distance | Credit | Kit |
|---|---|---|
| 5k / 10k | £40 | £20 |
| Half Marathon | £65 | £30 |
| Marathon / Ultra+ | £100 | £40 |
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