Chester Marathon
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MBNA Chester Marathon
The MBNA Chester Marathon takes place on 11 October 2026 and is based at Chester Racecourse. The course crosses both England and Wales and passes through surrounding landscapes and villages.
The event uses a Top Flight points system for the race series. Points awarded for the marathon are 25 for first, 18 for second, then 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 for third to tenth. Cash prizes for the men’s and women’s races (gun time only) are: 1st £1,000, 2nd £750, 3rd £500, 4th £250 and 5th £150. An additional time bonus of £500 is available to the winner only if the finishing time is under 2:20:00 for men or under 2:35:00 for women. Master category awards pay £50 to the first male and female finisher in each five year age group from 35-39 onwards.
Published course records are 2:16:59 for men (2024) and 2:40:26 for women (2013).
Top Flight Elite Wave entry standards and Free Elite entry standards are published for men and women across 10k, half marathon and marathon equivalents. Elite entry assessment uses performances from the last two years, including equivalent distances, track results and cross-country performances. Elite applicants must provide qualifying times and links to Power of 10 and World Athletics profiles or comparable results for consideration. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
