The next Chester Half Marathon is on Sunday 18th May 2025.

To enter please click the "Enter Now" button.

To enter the half marathon, you must be 17 or over on race day.

If you no longer wish to take part in the event, you can transfer your race place to someone else at no extra cost, any time before the event closing date, by using the official transfer process outlined in your entry confirmation email or by logging into your Nifty account and choosing transfer my entry. Race places are not transferable between events or years.

You will be able to cancel your entry and receive a full refund (including any added extras at the time of registration), within 14 days of your purchase. As stated in our Terms and Conditions of entry, we will deduct a £5.00 administration fee from all refunds.

Notice of withdrawal from the event must be communicated by emailing info@activeleisureevents.co.uk stating clearly the desire to withdraw and putting the word WITHDRAWAL in the subject line of the email. Withdrawals will not be accepted by telephone or post. 

Refunds will not be issued under any circumstances after 14 days of purchase, if you enter a race within four weeks of race day or if the race sells out of general entries within 14 days of your entry. Participants can withdraw at any point prior to the race with no refund.

If you have entered the race using a transfer from another runner, we are unable to offer you the 14 day refund period, as you have not made a payment to us.

If you have purchased Refund Protect through Nifty when you completed your registration, and have any queries in relation to this, you will need to liaise directly with Refund Protect. This service is purchased through but is not administered by Active Leisure Events Ltd.

No, it is your choice whether to run for charity or not. Many runners do choose to run for a charity, and we expect our races to raise over £1m a year for local and national charities. Our official race charity for 2024 is the West Cheshire Foodbank.

Running is a very strenuous activity, and running if you are ill could seriously threaten your health. If you have been ill in the run up to the race you should seriously considering withdrawing from the race.

Under UK Athletics rules, on any road which is not wholly closed to traffic only "open ear" bone conduction headphones are permitted.

This means that in-ear headphones can't be used in the Chester Marathon and Metric Marathon.

For the Chester Half Marathon and the Chester 10K, in-ear headphones can be used. Please leave one out so you can hear the sounds around you, including warnings from marshals or blue light vehicles on the course. Therefore we recommend "open ear" bone conduction headphones for enjoyment and safety. 

No, it is not possible to run with a buggy, or with a dog. This is against UK Athletics rules and you will be withdrawn from the course and disqualified.

The races are run under UK Athletics rules. Please ensure that you are familiar with the road running rules. The rule book is quite long, but the road running section is short.

There will be start zones clearly marked with estimated finish times. Please assemble in the appropriate zone for your realistic expected finish time.

There will be a baggage store at the race start location.

There will be ample toilets at the start, all clearly signed.  There will also be toilets at every drink station and at the finish. 

City Centre Parking 

There is ample parking in Chester city centre car parks, and other local car parks, within easy walking distance of the start. These car parks will charge a variety of fees dependent on the length of time vehicles are parked. Further details of car park locations and the fees charged can be found here.

Chester Racecourse car park will not be open for runners to use.

Our official race photographers will be on the course and at the finish - see more details here.

We want disabled athletes to have a safe and enjoyable race. If you have a disability please contact Jess so we can understand your needs.

There is not a wheelchair race, but accompanied wheelchairs, visually impaired and learning disabled athletes have all competed successfully in our past events. Choose your start pen with care, to avoid jostling it is usually safer to line up at the back of the race - we have chip timing so your race time won't be affected.

The course does involve some short, sharp climbs and will start on grass. There are some cobbles, speed bumps and hills.

If an athlete needs a carer or guide to accompany them during the race, the carer is entitled to a free place in the race. To apply for this, or if you have any questions about the suitability of the route, contact Jess.

The best place to watch the Chester Half Marathon is at the start and finish.

The start of the half marathon is 9:00 at Chester Racecourse. This is always an exciting spectacle to see our runners heading off on the 13.1 miles route. From the Racecourse you can walk the short distance to the Town Hall to cheer home the athletes. The first runner will be expected to finish at 10:05.

If you intend to drive out to spectate on the course, then check the road closures on the race route first.

The race starts at Chester Racecourse, Chester, CH1 2LY.

Prices for the Half Marathon.

For those with a non-UK address your pack will be available for collection on race day at the help desk. 

For UK runners we will post out entries that are completed in time. Late entries will be able to collect their race numbers from Help Desk during race week.

Chester Half Marathon is a running event and for runners' safety the roads are closed by permission of the council. The race cut off time is 3 hours. Roads will re-open in line with this pace. If you fall behind this pace, for your own safety you may be asked to withdraw from the race.

If you don't reach the exit of Overwood Lane (7.75 miles) by 11:00 you will not be able to complete the full course. You will be asked to turn left onto Parkgate Road.

Times for runners who finish over the cut off will not be listed on the final results. 

Our race charity is the West Cheshire Foodbank. You can run for any charity of your choosing.  Why not use GoFundMe as your fundraising platform, you can start your fundraising here.

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.

There is no relay class at this event.

The Chester Half Marathon route can be seen here.  The route is on fully closed roads. 

The drinks stations will be 2.5 to 3 miles apart and can be seen on our route maps. There will be water in bottles at each drink station.  Info about sports drinks/gels available on course will be published on our race information page before the event.

There will be mile markers, every mile.

Some of our sponsors, partners and charities will have stands at the event.

Draft results will be posted online during the race, and final results will be available no later than two weeks after the race.

There is a variety of different accommodation in Chester which can be found through internet searches, on www.visitchester.com or by calling 0845 647 7868.

Hard standing parking is available in the disabled bays within the hotel car park; access this via the main racecourse car parking entrance. There is no charge for parking for Blue Badge holders and you don't need to book in advance, just show the car park volunteers your Blue Badge when you arrive.

There is no public transport to this location in time for race start. The Park and Ride buses have wheelchair access. The Park and Ride drop off point is on Grosvenor Road, which is about half a mile from the flat, accessible entrance on New Crane Street. The return to the pickup point is uphill.

The start area is on grass in the centre of the racecourse and there is step-free access from the hotel car park and the main car park. For people who wish to view the race start there is flat level viewing on the grass at the start.

The finish is about half a mile from the start in Chester City Centre at the Town Hall. Disabled spectators may prefer to park closer to the finish area in the City Centre. Details of free parking are available on the Cheshire West and Chester Council website.

The finish area has reasonable viewing access and there are areas to park and access the City. Please note the route from the start to the City is a steep hill and a busy road crossing. No designated viewing space is provided as the paths approaching the finish can be accessed on flat level surfaces. It can be quite busy with spectators so try to give yourself plenty of time to secure a good viewing location. The finish will have a PA announcement system giving the finishing numbers for many of the runners, however there is no TV, hearing loop or results display to give information.

The Chester Racecourse has disabled toilet facilities. There will also be a disabled portable toilet available close to the start of the race; adjacent to the other portable toilets.

For details of disabled toilet facilities close to the finish on Northgate Street, see the Cheshire West and Chester Council website.

Chester is a destination city in 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 just outside the City, look out for Chester Zoo, the Blue Planet Aquarium or the Cheshire Oaks outlet village.

Take a look at Visit Chester for lots more ideas.