The health, safety and welfare of our runners, volunteers, staff, contractors, stakeholders, the public and local community remains our priority.

We will continue to follow the advice and current guidelines provided by our local council and the governing bodies for our sport. This is a highly dynamic situation and every aspect of our race is under review, we will continually adapt and adjust our event plans as appropriate. Full details of the measures required to enable us to host Covid secure events and to ensure the safety of everyone involved, will be confirmed closer to race day. Please rest assured we are continually working behind the scenes with stakeholders and leading crowd management specialists to deliver a safe and amazing experience for our runners in 2021.

If, due to a local lockdown, quarantine, self-isolation or another reason you are not able to attend an event, providing you retain a valid entry to the event, you may run a virtual race of at least the race distance on, before or up to four weeks after race day. Please contact info@activeleisureevents.co.uk if you plan to run an event(s) virtually, stating in the subject line I’D LIKE TO RUN (INSERT EVENT NAME) VIRTUALLY. We will then provide you with more details on how to submit your virtual race data.

This will still enable you to complete the race and qualify for the 2021 Chester Triple medal.

Chip Timing

Finisher Medals

Finisher Technical T-Shirt

Finisher Goody Bag

Secure Bag Drop available

Event Village

Water Stations

Free Training Runs & Plans

Bands on Route

Fully closed roads

The new Chester Half Marathon route offers one of the flattest routes in many years, with a spectacular city centre finish. You will run past some of Chester's historic landmarks at the very start of the race too. The finish in the City Centre outside the Town Hall and Cathedral provides an inspiring setting with cheering crowds of welcoming spectators.

First Aid will be provided at the start, along the course and at the finish.

Chester Race Course, Chester, CH1 2LY

The start is at Chester Racecourse, less than a 5 minute walk from the city centre car parks

Parking is available at Chester Racecourse for £3 all day (weather dependant)

Make sure you arrive within plenty of time, don’t leave it until last minute as the roads around the racecourse will start close for the start of the race.

The Essar Chester 2020 Half Marathon Fun Run will open for entries on 1st April to anyone wanting to take part; however it is aimed primarily at children. Accompanying parents, guardians and grandparents are welcome - but please note you need to enter too.

The Fun Run (approximately 1 mile) will be conducted wholly within The Racecourse, starting and finishing at the main race start.

Each Fun Run participant will be given a souvenir race t shirt and race number, with all finishers receiving a bespoke medal, bottle of water and a treat.

The Fun Run entry fee is £4, or £5 including a £1 donation to our race charity.

We have 15 Pace Runners targeting every 10 minute time slot from 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.

Pace runners run the race at a pre-determined pace, which they may adjust slightly at different points in the race to take account of the changes in terrain.