The 2026 MBNA Chester Marathon Returns on 11th October

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We are looking forward to the 16th MBNA Chester Marathon and hope that you choose to run with us. ENTER HERE.

The multi-award winning and sell-out MBNA Chester Marathon will return 11^h October 2026. We have developed an enviable reputation with runners of all levels and abilities. As the 5^th largest marathon in the UK and 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. The route takes in the beautiful surrounding landscapes and villages that both countries have to offer. 

We will once again host the England Athletics Age Group Masters Marathon Championship this year, more details on how you can qualify can be found here.

We're a qualifying race for the Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships! Check out how it works here.

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 abilities and speeds, combined with friendliness and personal touches which are unique to us. 

The MBNA Chester Marathon is the final event in our Chester Triple series - run three for a Chester Triple medal!

With our website packed with all the information you need about the race, our free monthly paced training runs, seminars and team of race day pace runners, we are here for you to help you achieve your goals and enjoy the race day experience.

Thanks to the dedication and enthusiastic support of our team and 800 volunteers, combined with feedback from runners and the backing of many we are proud that we hold the 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.  

Race day will also include the 26.2km MBNA Chester Metric Marathon and the MBNA Chester Mini-Marathon.

Join the increasing number of runners, participating in the Chester Marathon for charity. This can either be with our official race charity the Hospice of the Good Shepherd or your own cherished cause. Visit our Charity page here.

Please read on through the web site for more information and to enter the race.  If you have any questions that are not covered by the web site or our FAQ’s please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram to share the build up to the race.

Good times!