Essar Chester Half Marathon
AL
From Active Leisure Events Ltd
Event summary
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Essar Chester Half Marathon on Sunday, 18th May 2025! Organised by Active Leisure Events Ltd, this iconic race welcomes runners of all abilities, ages, and speeds for its 43rd edition in the beautiful city of Chester, Cheshire. This event not only serves as a fantastic introduction for new half marathon runners but also as a perfect stepping stone for those training for a full marathon.
Participants will enjoy a vibrant city centre start and finish, with a scenic route that showcases Chester’s historic landmarks and picturesque countryside. The event also hosts the prestigious England Athletics Age Group Masters Half Marathon Championship, adding to the excitement of the day. Plus, runners can take part in the Chester Triple Medal Series, earning an extra large and extra gold medal when they complete the 10K and Marathon or Metric Marathon within the same year. Join us for a day filled with camaraderie, support from enthusiastic spectators, and the thrill of achieving your personal best at the Essar Chester Half Marathon!
Participants will enjoy a vibrant city centre start and finish, with a scenic route that showcases Chester’s historic landmarks and picturesque countryside. The event also hosts the prestigious England Athletics Age Group Masters Half Marathon Championship, adding to the excitement of the day. Plus, runners can take part in the Chester Triple Medal Series, earning an extra large and extra gold medal when they complete the 10K and Marathon or Metric Marathon within the same year. Join us for a day filled with camaraderie, support from enthusiastic spectators, and the thrill of achieving your personal best at the Essar Chester Half Marathon!
Essar Chester Half Marathon
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Previous editions
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Reviews
5.02 reviews
MM
Michelle Meredith-Roberts
Verified entrant
This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2026 edition · 5 months ago
Loved it! I haven't done this race before, and it was clear where I needed to go and what I needed to do. The organisation of the race from start to finish was amazing. Having lots of people out supporting was great too! The only drawback was the toilet queue when getting near to the starting time, meaning I had to abandon the queue and get into my pen. Apart from that, brilliant!
CK
Cameron Kneen
Verified entrant
This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2023 edition · 3 years ago
Really well ran event, would highly recommend.
Event information
The race starts at 09:00 at the city centre Chester Racecourse. The fast and flat 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.
Drinks stations, with 330ml Brecon Caregg bottled water, will be every 2.5 to 3 miles. We'll also have bands, music and entertainment along the way to entertain the crowds and runners.
There will be chip timing with splits at 5k, 10k, 15k and 20k, with social media athlete tracking so friends and family can follow your progress.
Drinks stations, with 330ml Brecon Caregg bottled water, will be every 2.5 to 3 miles. We'll also have bands, music and entertainment along the way to entertain the crowds and runners.
There will be chip timing with splits at 5k, 10k, 15k and 20k, with social media athlete tracking so friends and family can follow your progress.
BEFORE RACE DAY YOU'LL RECEIVE:
• Access to training plans to support your running journey
• Support and advice, including free webinars and training runs to keep you motivated
• Your personalised race pack including your race number and timing chip sent to you in the post (runners from outside the UK need to collect their race numbers from our Help Desk on race weekend)
• Exclusive offers and competitions from our sponsors right from the moment you sign up
• Access to our friendly and supportive social community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, who are happy to answer any of your running queries
• FREE runner to runner transfers - should you no longer be able to take part
ON RACE DAY YOU'LL EXPERIENCE ALL THE FITNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH RUNNING, PLUS YOU'LL GET:
• A quality technical T-shirt, bespoke medal and a goody bag packed with post race nutrition when you finish, OR, the option to become a Green Runner and instead of receiving your medal, T-shirt and goody bag, we will donate the cost of these to our official race charity
• A fantastic atmosphere as we host the England Athletics Age Group Masters Championships
• Prizes awarded for the top 3 men and women and the winners of each age group
• Access to our runners Help Desk for any last minute queries or transfers
• A safe running environment
• On course hydration and nutrition for refuelling
• Lots of medical support throughout the course should you need assistance
• Access to our tracking website so all your supporters can track your live progress
• Access to training plans to support your running journey
• Support and advice, including free webinars and training runs to keep you motivated
• Your personalised race pack including your race number and timing chip sent to you in the post (runners from outside the UK need to collect their race numbers from our Help Desk on race weekend)
• Exclusive offers and competitions from our sponsors right from the moment you sign up
• Access to our friendly and supportive social community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, who are happy to answer any of your running queries
• FREE runner to runner transfers - should you no longer be able to take part
ON RACE DAY YOU'LL EXPERIENCE ALL THE FITNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH RUNNING, PLUS YOU'LL GET:
• A quality technical T-shirt, bespoke medal and a goody bag packed with post race nutrition when you finish, OR, the option to become a Green Runner and instead of receiving your medal, T-shirt and goody bag, we will donate the cost of these to our official race charity
• A fantastic atmosphere as we host the England Athletics Age Group Masters Championships
• Prizes awarded for the top 3 men and women and the winners of each age group
• Access to our runners Help Desk for any last minute queries or transfers
• A safe running environment
• On course hydration and nutrition for refuelling
• Lots of medical support throughout the course should you need assistance
• Access to our tracking website so all your supporters can track your live progress
Parking will be on the open course at Chester Racecourse for a small fee (weather permitting). There are also many car parks within the city and a short walk to Chester Racecourse.
The race starts within Chester Racecourse, with the event village and parking on the open course. The finish is located in the heart of the city on Northgate Street, outside the Town Hall and Cathedral.
If you enter as a Green Runner, you will NOT receive a finisher's medal, t-shirt & goody bag. Instead the cost of these items will be donated to our official race charity Hope House Children's Hospices. This will help us reduce waste and support our local race charity.
Your race number will clearly show you are a Green Runner so you can collect your water at the finish.
Your race number will clearly show you are a Green Runner so you can collect your water at the finish.
If you no longer wish to take part in the event, you can transfer your race place to someone else at no extra cost, any time before the event closing date, by using the official transfer process outlined in your entry confirmation email or by logging into your Nifty account and choosing transfer my entry. Race places are not transferable between events or years.
You will be able to cancel your entry and receive a full refund (including any added extras at the time of registration), within 14 days of your purchase. As stated in our Terms and Conditions of entry, we will deduct a £5.00 administration fee from all refunds.
Notice of withdrawal from the event must be communicated by emailing [email protected] stating clearly the desire to withdraw and putting the word WITHDRAWAL in the subject line of the email. Withdrawals will not be accepted by telephone or post.
Refunds will not be issued under any circumstances after 14 days of purchase, if you enter a race within four weeks of race day or if the race sells out of general entries within 14 days of your entry. Participants can withdraw at any point prior to the race with no refund.
If you have entered the race using a transfer from another runner, we are unable to offer you the 14 day refund period, as you have not made a payment to us.
You will be able to cancel your entry and receive a full refund (including any added extras at the time of registration), within 14 days of your purchase. As stated in our Terms and Conditions of entry, we will deduct a £5.00 administration fee from all refunds.
Notice of withdrawal from the event must be communicated by emailing [email protected] stating clearly the desire to withdraw and putting the word WITHDRAWAL in the subject line of the email. Withdrawals will not be accepted by telephone or post.
Refunds will not be issued under any circumstances after 14 days of purchase, if you enter a race within four weeks of race day or if the race sells out of general entries within 14 days of your entry. Participants can withdraw at any point prior to the race with no refund.
If you have entered the race using a transfer from another runner, we are unable to offer you the 14 day refund period, as you have not made a payment to us.
Event video
Organiser's description
All abilities, ages and speeds are welcome in the award winning, Essar Chester Half Marathon. 2025 marks the 43rd edition of this historic race. 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
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. The race will also host the England Athletics Age Group Masters Half Marathon Championship adding to an already unforgettable atmosphere.
The event boasts a lively city centre start and finish, with a route that takes in all the city centre iconic sights and landmarks, surrounding picturesque countryside and all the enthusiasm you could ask for from the Cestrian supporters who line the course to cheer you on.
WHATEVER YOUR REASON FOR RUNNING, WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE GREATNESS
The event organiser will send you a confirmation email separate to the Find A Race confirmation email, that will contain important information regarding the event and to acknowledge they have received your entry.
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. The race will also host the England Athletics Age Group Masters Half Marathon Championship adding to an already unforgettable atmosphere.
The event boasts a lively city centre start and finish, with a route that takes in all the city centre iconic sights and landmarks, surrounding picturesque countryside and all the enthusiasm you could ask for from the Cestrian supporters who line the course to cheer you on.
WHATEVER YOUR REASON FOR RUNNING, WE'RE HERE TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE GREATNESS
The event organiser will send you a confirmation email separate to the Find A Race confirmation email, that will contain important information regarding the event and to acknowledge they have received your entry.
Location
Racecourse, New Crane Street, Chester, CH1 2LY, United Kingdom
Essar Chester Half Marathon
AL
Active Leisure Events Ltd
The home of the multi award-winning and UK's Best Marathon Up To 5,000 Runners 2018, 2019 & 2020, the MBNA Chester Marathon, one of the UK's longest running and award-winning half marathons, the Essar Chester Half Marathon and the sell-out City Centre MBNA Chester 10K.
On Find a Race
Since
2015
Events
30+
Avg. review
4.9
