Essar Chester Half Marathon
Sun, May 19, 2024
Chester Racecourse, Chester
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About
All abilities are welcome in the 42nd edition of the award winning Essar Chester Half Marathon. It’s the second event of the Chester Triple Medal Series (enter and finish our 10K & Marathon or Metric Marathon in the same year for extra special, extra large and extra gold medal). Join us for what will be an amazing day of running and fundraising for charity.
The Essar Chester Half Marathon is a great introductory race for new half marathon runners and an ideal stepping stone for runners aiming for a marathon in the future.
WHATEVER YOUR REASON FOR RUNNING, WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE GREATNESS
Half Marathon and The Chester Triple
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Sun, May 19, 2024
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Chester, United Kingdom
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Where and when
Location
Chester Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY, UK
Start times
Half Marathon: 9:00 AMThe Chester Triple: 9:00 AM
Event summary
Here are the distances available for Essar Chester Half Marathon
Half Marathon
21km
£42 - £49
The Chester Triple
21km
£107 - £118
Half Marathon
21km
£42 - £49
The Chester Triple
21km
£107 - £118
Route information
Join one of the UK's best half marathons, starting and finishing in Chester, the historic Roman city. Part of the Chester Triple Series, this race has a flat city and rural route, and is also a qualifying event for the England Athletics and Welsh Athletics Age Group Masters Half Marathon Championship.
The race starts in the city centre at Chester Racecourse, and the fast route will be run entirely on closed roads. Heading northwest out of the city on wide roads, runners will rapidly settle into the race, with plenty of support and music along the way. In the second half of the race the runners return to Chester for an unforgettable finish outside the Town Hall and Cathedral.
Course Records
- Men 1:02:21 by Vincent Boit in 2015
- Women 1:14:32 by Amanda Crook in 2013
Drinks Stations
The drinks stations will be 2.5 to 3 miles apart and can be seen on the route maps.
Organizer route images
What's included
- Access to training plans
- Your personalised race pack including your race number and timing chip
- A technical T-shirt
- Bespoke medal
- A top quality nutritional goody bag
- Marked and marshalled route
- On course hydration and nutrition for refuelling
- Medical support throughout the course
How to get there
Chester Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY, UK
Get full directionsPlan ahead and allow extra time for your journey to the race, as the city centre especially will be very busy.
By Car
If driving, avoid the worst of the traffic by entering the Racecourse from Sealand Road - A548.
Parking
The car park at the Racecourse will cost £4, and open from 06:30 to 07:30. For those who want to park in the city, there are plenty of options - check out the Chester Council website for your best options.
Be mindful that Park and Ride facilities will not be open before 09:00am.
Hotels and Accommodation
Find some of the best hotel rates close to the startline with Hotel Planner.
Find your roomEvent day logistics
06:30 Car park opens (£4 entry fee) & Help desk opens
07:30 Baggage store opens, Car park and roads outside racecourse close
09:00 Half Marathon starts
09:20 Fun run starts
10:00 Car park reopens
11:00 Prize presentations at the finish
13:00 Baggage store closes
18:00 Car park closes
Race Packs
If you live in the UK, and entered more than 4 weeks before the race, your race pack will be posted out to you two weeks before the race. For those living outside the UK, race packs will be available for collection on the day before or on the morning of the race. Please see the race organisers website for full details.
Drinks Stations
There will be five water stations along the route located at miles 2.4, 5.8, 9.0, 10.4 and 11.8. There will be toilets at all of them. High 5 Gel will be available at stations 2 and 4.
Cut-Off Time
The race cut off time 3 hours after your race start. Roads will re-open in line with this pace. If you fall behind this pace, for your own safety you may be asked to withdraw from the race and get into the sweep bus.
Runners who don't reach Overwood Lane (7.75 miles) by 11am won't be able to continue on the course, for their own safety.
Age Requirements
All entrants must be 17 and older on race day to enter the event.
Fancy Dress
Runners are more than welcome to take part in fancy dress as long as they are considerate to their fellow runners and do not wear obstructive or dangerous costumes.
Headphones
Headphones are permitted as this is a closed-road route, however it is recommended that runners leave one out so they can hear the marshals instructions.
Green Runner Entry
There is the option to enter as a Green Runner. In order to reduce carbon footprint, Green Runners will not receive a t-shirt, medal or goody bag. Instead the cost of these items will be donated to our official race charity Hope House Children's Hospices.
Chester Triple Series
Why stop at one race when you can run 3? There are two options for the Chester Triple Medal Series:
- Option 1: MBNA Chester 10k (08/03/2024); Essar Chester Half Marathon (19/05/2024); and MBNA Chester Marathon (06/10/2024)
- Option 2: MBNA Chester 10k (08/03/2024); Essar Chester Half Marathon (19/05/2024); and MBNA Chester Metric Marathon (06/10/2024)
FAQs
Is there a time limit for the Essar Chester Half Marathon?
Yes, as this race relies on roads closed by permission from the council, runners most complete their race in 3 hours or less. If you fall behind this pace, you may be asked to withdraw.
Can I wear fancy dress to the Essar Chester Half Marathon?
Of course! It is only asked that you don't wear anything that may endanger or obstruct anyone running around you.
Is there a baggage drop at the Essar Chester Half Marathon?
Yes there will be a baggage store at the racecourse with one bag allowed per runner.
How old do I need to be to run in the Essar Chester Half Marathon?
Runners must be at least 17 years of age on the day of the event.
Can I wear headphones at the Essar Chester Half Marathon?
As the race is run on fully closed roads, headphones are permitted under UK Athletics rules. It's still important to be able to hear your fellow runners, and instructions from marshals, therefore we recommend "open ear" bone conduction headphones for enjoyment and safety.
If you do wear in-ear headphones, please leave one out so you can hear the sounds around you.
Can I run with a buggy or a dog at the Essar Chester Half Marathon?
No, it is not possible to run with a buggy, or with a dog.
Where are the toilets at the Essar Chester Half Marathon?
There will be ample toilets at the start, all clearly signed. There will also be toilets at every drink station and at the finish.
Where can I park at the Essar Chester Half Marathon?
As a result of the growth of the race and delays for cars leaving the Racecourse, parking on the Racecourse for the Chester Half Marathon will close at 7:30am. There is city centre parking available. Further information will be available in the race day information pack which will be posted out and available on the website, closer to race day.
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4.8
31 reviews
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33 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DQ
Reg number 10083277
