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The MBNA Chester Marathon started as an idea in the minds of friends Andy White and Chris Hulse. As keen runners and triathletes, they wanted to address the lack of a marathon in Cheshire by organising what they consider to bethe perfect race.

In 2010 the first Chester Marathon was held on the late May Bank Holiday Monday. Starting and finishing at Chester Rugby Club it ran through the village of Guilden Sutton and along theChester Millennium Greenway path to the River Dee.The 2010 race exceeded all expectations with all the 1,000 places selling out, great runner feedback and a place in the Runners' World Top 10 marathons of 2010.

Building on the success of the inaugural MBNA Chester Marathon it was clear a new route needed to be found which could cope with increased numbers, whilst also showcasing Chester's iconic attractions. 2011 was the first outing for the new course, which has remained unchanged since.

In 2014 a Metric Marathon was added – at 26.2km (16.3 miles) this provides an additional step for runners wanting to move up fromthe half marathon distance.

From the start line the race heads through the town, passing the local Town Hall. The runners also pass Chester Cathedral, the split level Middle Ages "Rows", Eastgate Clock, Amphitheatre and go through the ancient Roman Walls four times before leaving the City and heading across the Old Dee Bridge.Runners then head out of Chester, via Pulford, crossing the border into the Welsh villages of Lavister and Rossett. The route then follows a small loop reaching the old village of Holt before crossing the ancient Roman bridge at Farndon, leading back to England.

Our spectacular marathon route is both historic and scenic. You can expect some fast times over this stunning PB marathon course on closed roads.

After leaving Chester Racecourse the Marathon course will pass through Chester City Centre, heading out through Eccleston and Pulford before entering Wales at Rossett. The route then passes through Holt before returning to England at Farndon and passing through Churton, Aldford and Huntington. It returns to Chester city at Boughton before entering the Groves area and returning to the racecourse past the Little Roodee. See our route maps.

The Metric Marathon course will pass through Chester City Centre and then head out of Chester eastbound on the A51 and then south on Sandy Lane. Just north of Churton the runners turn and run north to return to Chester.

Half Marathon Marathon

The Chester Half Marathon offers a fast course and a spectacular city centre finish. You now run past some of Chester's historic landmarks at the very start of the race too.

The updated route still starts at Chester Racecourse, before heading up Watergate Street, through the Walls and now enjoying the historic Chester city centre. Then you leave the city through the Garden Quarter before heading out into the countryside through the village of Mollington.

At halfway the runners will start their return to Chester, via Woodbank and Saughall. The finish in the City Centre outside the Town Hall and Cathedral provides an inspiring setting with cheering crowds of welcoming spectators.

Metric Marathon

The MBNA Chester Metric Marathon is now a popular fixture in the race calendar, giving you the only opportunity in the UK to run over this distance. This is a 26.2km (16.3mile) race which is the ideal stepping stone from a half marathon to a full marathon.

As runners ourselves we are passionate about delivering what for us would be the perfect race; a premier quality, competitively priced race which caters for the needs of runners of all.

The route is on closed roads and you will run past all Chester's iconic landmarks (Roman Walls, Cathedral, Medieval Rows, Eastgate Clock, Amphitheatre) before heading out to the stunning Cheshire countryside and villages. After joining the marathon runners at Aldford you begin the return journey, coming into Chester alongside the River Dee for a unforgettable finish at the Racecourse. The support in the villages and communities along the course is one of the many highlights of the race.

Marathon

Our spectacular marathon route is both historic and scenic. You can expect some fast times over this stunning PB marathon course on closed roads.

Runners leave the racecourse and head into the City centre passing the Town Hall, Cathedral, split level Middle Ages "Rows", Eastgate Clock, Amphitheatre and through the Roman Walls before heading out of the City across the Old Dee Bridge.

The route then leaves Chester past the Duke of Westminster's estate, through Pulford, before crossing the border into Wales and the villages of Lavister and Rossett.

Keeping to the rural lanes runners complete a small loop before entering the historic village of Holt. Then crossing the ancient Roman bridge at Farndon to return to England and the home stretch running through Churton, Aldford and Huntington.

On re-entering the City, runners pass the River Dee along the Groves and Castle Drive before a triumphant finish at the race course!

Perfect fall weather conditions greeted over 8,000 participants in our 40th annual GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon on October 13, 2019. Eric Finan and Andrea Lee won the marathon distance, Will Norris and Cleo Boyd the half marathon and two course records were set in the 8K by Justin Kent and Sarah Inglis. The marathon had 1,471 registrants; the half marathon 3,431; the 8K Turkey Trot Road Race 2,505; and the Thrifty Foods Kids Run 887, for a total of 8,294.

Course Records:

Marathon
Men - 2:15:52 Tyler Andrews (2016)
Women - 2:34:21 Jodie Robertson (2014)

Hannaford Supermarkets Half Marathon
Men - 1:05:48 Louis Serafini (2015)
Women - 1:18:41 Diane Matthews (2006)

The course

Race along the historic Mohawk and Hudson Rivers utilizing 18 miles of paved bikeways. The USATF certified course starts in Central Park in Schenectady and finishes on the bike path in downtown Albany. The course generally follows the Mohawk River, on paved bicycle trails, then proceeds to the Hudson River, via the historic city of Watervliet. The course passes immediately in front of the Watervliet Arsenal, the nation's only large bore cannon manufacturer. The historic munitions plant opened in 1813, and is still a major producer of munitions. Shortly after passing the Watervliet Arsenal it is back to the bike path for the final 5 miles along the historic Hudson River.

This is a point-to-point course that is primarily flat and fast, with a net elevation loss of 370 feet. The Hannaford Supermarkets Half Marathon uses the second half of the marathon course. Approximately two-thirds of the marathon course is on paved bike path, one-third on city streets. The bike path is not closed to public use and city streets are not closed to vehicular traffic. Participants are required to run or walk on the left shoulder of the road when using city streets, unless otherwise instructed by race or police officials. Please use caution. Both courses cross a freight railroad line. Trains are not on a schedule and their frequency cannot be predicted, Timing mats are provided to capture any delay by the train.

For your safety and the safety of all other runners, course officials and race volunteers, the use of headphones during the event is strongly discouraged.

Both races are run on certified courses (Marathon:USATF Certificate NY13094JG,Hannaford Supermarkets Half Marathon: USATF Certificate NY13095JG). The marathon is a Boston-qualifier.

The Marathon is part of the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club Grand Prix Series.

The course will be open and supported for six hours (from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).

Water and sports drink will be available approximately every two miles. GU will be available at two locations on the marathon course.

Portable toilets will be at each water stop beginning at mile 4 of the marathon.

The Falmouth Track Club is composed of individuals and families who participate in and support running, road racing, and walking. We seek people of all ages to join us in accomplishing our goals of athletic achievement, personal satisfaction, and enjoyment of running and walking.