Essar Chester Half Marathon
One of the UK’s longest established and most highly regarded half marathons, starting and finishing in this historic Roman/Medieval city. Come and celebrate over 40 years of running in Chester!
Enter now- Sun 17 May 2026
Half Marathon
09:00
Age 17 & over
£38.40-£52
- 13.1 miles road running + 355 ft ascent
Event overview
Whatever your reason for running, you'll be supported all the way to achieve half marathon greatness!
All abilities, ages and speeds are welcome in the award winning, Essar Chester Half Marathon. 2026 marks the 44th edition of this historic race!
It’s the second event of the Chester Triple Series (for an extra challenge medal) and the event will host the England Athletics and Welsh Athletics Age Group Masters Half Marathon Championship too.
Runners will enjoy a combination of city centre sights and rural villages on a fast and largely flat route which will be run entirely on closed roads, combined with friendliness and personal touches which are unique to this event series. A Fun Run makes the day exciting and inclusive for all abilities!
This event is part of Essar Chester Half Marathon and Fun Run.
Event community
Event details
- Average fitness
- Event village
- Families
- Fancy dress
- Newcomers
- Spectators
- Traders at event
Location
- Bag storage
- Entertainment
- Music
- Paid parking
- Rural
- Toilets
- Urban
Route
- Cut off time
- Distance markers
- Entertainment
- First aid
- Food stations
- Marshals
- Mass start
- PB
- Point to point
- Single start
- Sweeper
- Toilets
- Traffic free
- Undulating
- Water stations
Sustainability
- Public transport links
What's included
- Cash prizes
- Certificate
- Chip timing
- Goody bag
- iTAB
- Map
- Massage
- Medal
- Pre-event training sessions
- Race photo
- Technical t-shirt
- Training plan
Charity places
These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity and provide your details.
All charity places
Cancer
The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust
Offering support, advice and information to UK families affected by retinoblastoma.
- Running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Dedicated contact
Sign up
£20
Fundraise
£350
Cancer
Brainstrust
Helping the brain tumour community to feel less alone and more in control.
- Technical t-shirt
- Running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Dedicated contact
- Certificate
- Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event
Sign up
£15
Fundraise
£125
Free sign up
Rescue
North West Air Ambulance
Flying to save lives.
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Supporter cheer packs
- Dedicated contact
Sign up
FREE
Fundraise
£186
Entries
- Age 17 & over
- Entries open
- Collect race pack
- Enter online
- Event merch available
- Insurance available
- Race pack by post
- Series discount