Race date: Sunday 5^th October 2025

Race report by Hannah Wright

The day is finally here for the Chester Marathon and to complete the Chester Triple Series to get a really big medal.

Chester Triple journey

You need to complete the following for the Chester Triple:

• the MBNA Chester 10K
• the Essar Chester Half Marathon 
• and either the MBNA Chester Marathon or Metric Marathon

You can enter the races separately or all at once.

Fun facts

• It is the 5th largest marathon in the UK
• 3x time winner of the UK’s Best Marathon
• It is also the only marathon in the UK that spans across both England and Wales
• Qualifying race for the Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships
• Hold the Running Awards’ Gold award for Best Marathon (under 5000 entrants).
• Runner’s World runners have previously voted us the UK’s best marathon and best road marathon.

A bit of history

The MBNA Chester Marathon started as an idea in the minds of friends Andy White and Chris Hulse. They wanted to address the lack of a marathon in Cheshire.

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 the Chester 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.

A new route was 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 largely unchanged since.

In 2014 a Metric Marathon was added – at 26.2km (16.3 miles).

Race day

Knowing my pace wasn’t quite where I wanted it to be, I set out with the mindset to just go out and enjoy it. With an air bnb near the start line I even got what felt like a race day lie in.

The race village was easy to navigate and I had soon dropped my bag off, popped to the loo, warmed up and ready at the start line. The only downside was no 5hr30 or 6hr pacer. This would have helped lots of runners who were worried about the new 6hr cut off.

The route was different to the 10km and half marathon and took runners from Chester to Wales and back in a circular route. The support throughout was fantastic and plenty of marshals on route. Aide stations were stocked with gels and water approximations every 4 miles.

My strategy was to run even – ish splits for the first half. Then Jeff a 2:1 ratio for the second half to manage fatigue. It was interesting sticking to a plan (although difficult at times) and it paying off.

At the finish line the usual goodie bag, medal and long sleeve top awaited. More importantly I got to collect my Triple medal.

Top tip: get an air bnb with a bath with jets to enjoy your post race G&T in.

My result: Chip Time 05:54:13

The race was won by Joshua Griffiths of Swansea Harriers in 02:17:16. The first woman was Sammy Antell from Bideford AAC in 02:44:21.

Phil Mason, the other Strider present, got a new M60 club record, beating Barry Gyte’s 3:16 from 2014.