Frequently Asked Questions
WHEN & WHERE
When is the race in
2012?
Where is the race
start?
Where can I
park?
Where can I stay in
Chester?
THE COURSE
What is the race
route?
What are the rules for the
event?
How far apart are
the drinks stations?
What sports drink will
be available?
Will there be start
zones?
Will there be mile or
km markers?
Where will the
toilets be on the route?
ENTERING THE RACE
How do I
enter?
How old do I need to be
run?
Do I need a qualifying
time to run?
How do I get
my race pack?
Do I have to run for
charity to get a race number?
I want to run for
charity
I can't run - What is
your refund policy? Can I transfer my number?
What is the race cut-off time?
What if I am ill before the race?
Can I run in Fancy Dress?
Can I wear an iPod or music
player?
Can I enter as a relay team?
ATHLETE
SERVICES
Is there a baggage
store?
Is there an
Expo?
Where are the
toilets?
Will there be post
race massage?
What food and drink will be
available?
When will the results be
available?
WATCHING THE
RACE
Where is a good place to
spectate?
What can my family & friends do in
Chester?
WHEN & WHERE
When is the
race in 2012?
Sunday 7th October 2012, starting at 9am
Where is
the race start?
The race start is at Chester Racecourse, Chester, CH1 2LY.
Where can I
park?
Racecourse Parking
Parking for competitors and supporters will be available on the
grass at the centre of the Chester Racecourse. The car park will
open at 0630hrs and will close at 0815hrs to allow for the start of
the race.
There will be a fee of £2.00 for parking. Please have the
correct money ready when you arrive. The car park will re-open at
approximately 0930hrs and will remain open (with a short closure
for the mini marathon start) until approximately 1800hrs. Disabled
parking will be available closer to the main buildings of the
racecourse.
After the race there may be queues at busy times, please be
patient whilst we work to help everybody leave as quickly and
smoothly as possible.
City Centre Parking
There are over 3,000 car parking places available in car parks
within easy walking distance of the racecourse in Chester city
centre. These car parks will charge a variety of fees dependent on
the length of time vehicles are parked. Further details of the
locations of the council car parks and the fees charged can be
found here.
Park & Ride
Details of the park and ride locations opening early on race day
will be advised nearer to race day.
Where can I
stay in Chester?
Please see our accommodation page.
THE COURSE
What is the
race route?
You can see the route and the profile here.
After leaving Chester Racecourse, runners 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.
What are
the rules for the event?
This race is run under UK Athletics rules.
How far apart are the drinks
stations?
The drinks stations will be 2.5 to 3 miles apart and can be seen
on our route maps.
What sports drink will be
available?
The brand of sports drink that will be available will be
announced when confirmed. There will be isotonic sports drink at
every other drinks station.
Will there be start
zones?
Yes, there will be start zones clearly marked with estimated
finish times. Please assemble in the appropriate zone for your
expected finish time.
Will there be mile or km
markers?
There will be mile markers, every mile.
Where will the toilets be on the
route?
There will be toilets at every drinks station.
ENTERING THE RACE
How do I
enter?
Before you can enter a race you need to register with us here. Once you have registered with
us you can enter any of our races without having to input all of
your information again.
After registering, to enter the 2012 race please click here.
How old do I
need to be to run?
To enter the marathon, you must be 18 or over on race day.
Do
I need a qualifying time to run?
No, you don't need a previous qualifying time to run, unless you
want to be part of the elite wave. But don't forget it is a run,
and there is a race cut-off time of 6 hours.
How do I get my race
pack?
If you live in the UK, your race pack will be posted out to you
two weeks before the race. For those living outside the UK,
race packs will be available for collection the day before the race
and on the morning of the race.
Do I
have to run for charity to get a race number?
No, it is your choice whether to run for charity or not. Many
runners choose to run for a charity, and we forecast that the 2012
MBNA Chester Marathon will raise over a million pounds for
charities.
I want to run for
charity
The MBNA Chester Marathon supports these nominated charities. You can of
course run for any charity of your choosing.
I can't run - What is your refund
policy? Can I transfer my number?
In common with the vast majority of races we do not offer refunds
or deferrals. However, you can transfer your entry to another
runner. To do this, at no extra cost, please email Linda who will
contact you with details of how to transfer your place.
What is the race cut-off
time?
The race cut-off time will be 6 hours. The road closures will be
lifted from each section in turn based on a 6 hour finish time.
Marshals on the road will be stood down and normal rules of the
road will apply. You will be expected to become a "prudent
pedestrian" once road closures are lifted.
What if I am
ill before the race?
Running a marathon is a very strenuous activity, and running if
you are ill could seriously threaten your health. We recommend that
you do not run if you feel ill on race day. If in doubt, consult
your doctor.
Can I run in Fancy
Dress?
Yes we welcome runners in fancy dress. Why not run as a
Roman Centurion? It would be great to see the streets of Chester
full of Centurions again!
We do ask that you are considerate to your fellow runners, and
don't wear a costume that might be obstructive or dangerous to
others.
Can I
wear an iPod or music player?
Wearing a music player isn't currently against UK Athletics rules.
However, it is not recommended. For your own safety you need to be
aware of what is around you, and to be able to take instructions
from marshals.
Can I
enter as a relay team?
There is no relay class at this event.
ATHLETE
SERVICES
Is there a baggage
store?
Yes there will be a baggage store at the racecourse.
Is there an
Expo?
Some of our sponsors, partners and charities will have stands at
the event on race day.
Where are the
toilets?
There are ample toilets at the racecourse, all clearly signed. We
are supplementing these with over a hundred portable toilets which
will be close to the start.
Will
there be post race massage?
Yes, post race massage will be available, details to follow.
What food and drink will be
available?
There will be food and drink available, including a bar.
Anything from tea and coffee to a 3 course lunch at the
restaurant overlooking the finish.
When
will the results be available?
Draft results will be posted online soon after the race, and final
results will be available no later than two weeks after the
race.
WATCHING THE RACE
Where is a good place to
spectate?
You can stay at the racecourse to watch the start, or walk less
than half a mile into Chester to watch the athletes running through
the city centre, or running across the Old Dee Bridge.
There is limited access out on the course, as the roads are closed
for the athletes. If you want to spectate on the course, the best
place is the villages of Holt and Farndon (access from the A41 and
the A534). There is limited parking here, please park
responsibly.
As the athletes return to Chester they run along the riverside for
the last mile and a half, through the picturesque Groves and past
the Victorian bandstand. You can sit here and have a coffee while
you watch the runners go by.
There are great views of the finish from the racecourse
itself.
What can my family do in Chester?
Chester is a destination city on its own right, with lots to
do.
There is fantastic shopping with superior high-street stores and
boutiques.
Enjoy a taste of history walking round our famous Roman walls,
visiting the Roman amphitheatre and seeing the unique Rows (dating
from Medieval times).
Combine sightseeing and spectating with a stroll along the River
Dee.
If you get hungry there are numerous restaurants, pubs and
delicatessens to suit all tastes. All this in easy walking
distance.
If you want to venture a bit further afield, look out for
Chester Zoo, the Blue Planet Aquarium or the Cheshire Oaks outlet
village.
If you want to venture just outside the City, look out for
Chester Zoo, the Blue Planet Aquarium or the Cheshire Oaks outlet
village.
Visit Activ Chester Online Guide to Chester for
more ideas. To get a feel for our beautiful city look at Chester - a
portrait.