MBNA Chester Marathon
AL
From Active Leisure Events Ltd
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating experience at the 16th MBNA Chester Marathon on Sunday, October 11, 2026! Organised by Active Leisure Events Ltd, this remarkable marathon is set in the historic city of Chester, Cheshire, offering a stunning backdrop for runners of all abilities. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a first-time participant, the event welcomes everyone, including charity and fun runners.
The MBNA Chester Marathon has been awarded the title of the UK's best marathon three times, making it a must-attend event. Participants can enjoy a scenic route that showcases Chester's iconic landmarks, as well as the beautiful Cheshire and North Wales countryside. The race is also part of the Chester Triple Medal series, rewarding those who complete the 10K and Half Marathon in the same year with a special gold medal! With a lively city centre start and finish, plus enthusiastic supporters along the course, this marathon is not just a race; it's a celebration of community and achievement. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable day of running and camaraderie!
The MBNA Chester Marathon has been awarded the title of the UK's best marathon three times, making it a must-attend event. Participants can enjoy a scenic route that showcases Chester's iconic landmarks, as well as the beautiful Cheshire and North Wales countryside. The race is also part of the Chester Triple Medal series, rewarding those who complete the 10K and Half Marathon in the same year with a special gold medal! With a lively city centre start and finish, plus enthusiastic supporters along the course, this marathon is not just a race; it's a celebration of community and achievement. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable day of running and camaraderie!
MBNA Chester Marathon
This event has taken place
Congratulations to everyone who took part. We're waiting on information about the next edition of this event.
Did you race? Let the community know how you got on and leave a review.
Add your review
Reviews
4.51 review
DY
Debra Y
Verified entrant
This reviewer is a verified Find a Race user who purchased a place at this event.
Took part in the 2026 edition · 1 month ago
This is a fantastic event and strongly recommend. If you are going for a time, the pacers are brilliant and if you put your trust in them, you will get that goal achieved. The race organisation was very smooth. Good parking which can be booked in advance so you know you have a space, loads of loos and the start line was well managed too. Lovely to have a send off from Denise Lewis.
My only minor criticism is that a few water stations were manned by young people who didn’t really know how to hand out water, so I missed a couple of stations as I wasn’t prepared to stop and wait for water. This didn’t bother me as I had water on me, but some of the people around me were a bit frustrated. While it is hard to manage all the gel wrappers, I made sure I only dropped mine a litter points. I assumed the 1000’s dropped on the road will be picked up. But these are only minor points. The massage at the end was well worth the wait. The goody bag was full!
If I do a marathon again I would certainly consider Chester again. Thank you organisers and race day supporters. You powered me up that mile 25 hill to then get me to the finish.
My only minor criticism is that a few water stations were manned by young people who didn’t really know how to hand out water, so I missed a couple of stations as I wasn’t prepared to stop and wait for water. This didn’t bother me as I had water on me, but some of the people around me were a bit frustrated. While it is hard to manage all the gel wrappers, I made sure I only dropped mine a litter points. I assumed the 1000’s dropped on the road will be picked up. But these are only minor points. The massage at the end was well worth the wait. The goody bag was full!
If I do a marathon again I would certainly consider Chester again. Thank you organisers and race day supporters. You powered me up that mile 25 hill to then get me to the finish.
Races
-
2026 - MBNA Chester Marathon
All abilities, fun and charity runners are welcome in the MBNA Chester Marathon
Entries closed£68.70
Event information
You can expect some fast times over this stunning PB marathon course on closed roads covering 19 miles in England and 7 miles in Wales. You will run past all Chester's iconic landmarks (Roman Walls, Cathedral, Medieval Rows, Eastgate Clock, Amphitheatre) before heading out to the stunning Cheshire and North Wales countryside and villages; returning alongside the River Dee for a unforgettable finish on Castle Drive. The support in the villages and communities along the course is one of the many highlights of the race.
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, including past and present pacers
• 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 fantastic atmosphere as we host the England Athletics Age Group Masters Marathon Championships
• A special long sleeve quarter zip technical T-shirt, bespoke medal and a tote style goody bag packed with post race nutrition when you finish
• 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, including past and present pacers
• 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 fantastic atmosphere as we host the England Athletics Age Group Masters Marathon Championships
• A special long sleeve quarter zip technical T-shirt, bespoke medal and a tote style goody bag packed with post race nutrition when you finish
• 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 from inside Chester Racecourse, with the event village within the Paddock at Chester Racecourse. The finish is located in the heart of the city on Castle Drive.
Event video
Organiser's description
We are looking forward to the 16th MBNA Chester Marathon and hope that you choose to run with us.
All abilities, ages, fun and charity runners are welcome in the MBNA Chester Marathon, the 3x winner of the UK's best marathon. The event is the final race in the Chester Triple Medal series (enter and finish our 10K & Half Marathon in the same year for extra special, extra large and extra gold medal)
The MBNA Chester Marathon is a great introductory race for new marathon runners and an ideal stepping stone for runners looking for more than a half marathon. We are the UK’s only international marathon from the historic Roman/Medieval international destination City of Chester, and host the England Athletics Age Group Masters Marathon Championship adding to an already unforgettable atmosphere.
The event boasts a lively city centre start and finish, with a route that passes all Chester's iconic landmarks, then heads out into the Cheshire & North Wales countryside, before returning along the banks of the River Dee for an unforgettable finish 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.
All abilities, ages, fun and charity runners are welcome in the MBNA Chester Marathon, the 3x winner of the UK's best marathon. The event is the final race in the Chester Triple Medal series (enter and finish our 10K & Half Marathon in the same year for extra special, extra large and extra gold medal)
The MBNA Chester Marathon is a great introductory race for new marathon runners and an ideal stepping stone for runners looking for more than a half marathon. We are the UK’s only international marathon from the historic Roman/Medieval international destination City of Chester, and host the England Athletics Age Group Masters Marathon Championship adding to an already unforgettable atmosphere.
The event boasts a lively city centre start and finish, with a route that passes all Chester's iconic landmarks, then heads out into the Cheshire & North Wales countryside, before returning along the banks of the River Dee for an unforgettable finish 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
MBNA Chester 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
