Next race
Sunday, 2 May 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Historic urban road
Elevation
Rolling · 100 m gain
100 m climbing
Race profile
The Chester Marathon attracts about 5,000 finishers each October through England's Roman walled city. The course passes the Eastgate Clock, Chester Cathedral, the Roman walls, and the Dee River on flat Cheshire terrain. October autumn weather and the historic Roman-heritage setting make it one of northwest England's most popular marathons.
Chester Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 5,000 finishers
Course & terrain
The Chester Marathon is a loop starting and finishing at Chester Racecourse, taking in the Roman walls, Eastgate Clock, Chester Cathedral, and the River Dee. It is mostly flat aside from minor rises near the city walls, and spectators gather at the Roodee and along the walls and river paths.
The Chester Marathon course is rolling over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 100 metres of climbing and 95 metres of descent, with a net climb of 5 metres from start to finish.
Rolling · 100 m gain — approx. 34 m above sea level
↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m
Registration
The Chester Marathon uses open registration at chestermarathon.co.uk with no ballot or qualifying standard. Sign-up for the October race typically opens early in the year. The fast, flat Cheshire course is popular with UK runners chasing personal bests and London Marathon Good For Age qualifying times.
Getting there
Liverpool (LPL)
Liverpool John Lennon Airport
16 km / 10 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to Chester.
The Manchester Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 28k finishers on an urban road in Manchester, United Kingdom. The course starts and finishes at Old Trafford. One of the UK's fastest courses, with no significant hills.
Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027
The Marathon Eryri draws approximately 2,500 finishers each October on a mountain road in Llanberis, United Kingdom. It is one of the UK's iconic tough road marathons and rewards strength more than pace ambition. The course passes mountain lakes, steep Welsh road sections, and dramatic Snowdonia views almost throughout. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.
Next race: Saturday, 24 October 2026
The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon honours the Leeds Rhinos rugby league legend and MND campaigner, drawing approximately 4,380 finishers each May through Yorkshire's largest city. The course passes Kirkstall Abbey, Roundhay Park, and the Leeds city centre before finishing outside Headingley Stadium. May's Yorkshire spring and enthusiastic local crowds make it one of northern England's most emotional community marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 9 May 2027
The Shakespeare Marathon draws approximately 1,153 finishers each April on a historic town and rural road in Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom. Its literary branding gives it one of the clearest thematic identities in UK marathon running. The course passes the River Avon, Shakespeare-linked town landmarks, and Warwickshire village roads. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027
The Yorkshire Marathon attracts about 6,500 finishers each October on a scenic loop through the Yorkshire Wolds and York city centre. The course passes York Minster, the medieval city walls, and the rolling East Yorkshire countryside. October autumn colours and a fast but rolling profile make it one of England's most popular autumn marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 2026
The Newport Marathon Festival draws approximately 1,999 finishers each April on an urban road in Newport, United Kingdom. It is widely regarded as one of the fastest full marathons in Wales. The route passes the River Usk, city bridges, and wide roads used for one of Wales's faster marathon layouts. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 18 April 2027
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
