Chester Marathon route map
raceindex.org has a GPS course file for Chester Marathon, so runners can inspect the route line on the map. Elevation charts and ascent figures appear only when that file includes usable elevation data.
Chester Marathon
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2026 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Modelled energy-cost change 0.3% versus flat · net elevation 3 m
Decision summary
Chester Marathon at a glance
- Route ascent
- 220 m
- Cut-off average pace
- 8:32/km
- Typical conditions
- 83/100
- Evidence depth
- 40 verified facts
Lower than 69% of comparable mapped races
6:00:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Stored GPS route
Quick answers
What runners ask first
How hilly is the Chester Marathon?
The Chester Marathon route has 220 m of ascent, 217 m of descent and an estimated 0.3% grade-adjusted pace penalty versus a flat route.
Where does the Chester Marathon route go?
The Chester Marathon route starts at The Roodee, Chester CH1 2LY and finishes at The Roodee, Chester CH1 2LY. Underfoot, expect road. The setting includes riverside and historic. runs along banks of River Dee.
What should runners know on race day for the Chester Marathon?
Bag drop is available. The event uses closed-road arrangements. 11.
Race character
Scenery
- Riverside
- Historic
- City
- Countryside
Atmosphere
- Scenic Tour
- Community
Terrain
- Road
- Elevation character
- Gently Rolling
- Technicality
- Non Technical
- Source-stated ascent
- 76 m
The stored route produces 220 m of ascent, while a source states 76 m. GPS sampling and elevation models can produce different totals, so both are labelled rather than combined.
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Men's course record
- 2:16:59 (Marshall Smith)
- Women's course record
- 2:40:26 (Julie Briscoe)
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Open entry: The held registration model is open entry and this edition is not marked sold out.
- Minimum age
- 18+
- Cut-off
- 6 hours
- Qualification status
- Championship
- Fee tiers
- Special Entry, Standard Entry, Late Entry
- Deferral / transfer
- Free runner-to-runner transfers allowed; no deferrals to future years; no refunds; if organiser cancels, entries defer free of charge to next scheduled date
Race day logistics
- Wave starts
- No
- Aid stations
- 11
- Bag drop
- Yes
- Closed roads
- Yes
- Race village
- Yes
- Post-race village
- Yes
- Medal
- Yes
- Finisher tee
- Yes
Access and course status
- Start
- The Roodee, Chester CH1 2LY
- Finish
- The Roodee, Chester CH1 2LY
- Nearest station
- Chester station (10 minutes walk from Racecourse)
- Parking
- Chester Racecourse (£5, weather dependent); multiple city centre car parks nearby
- Measured course
- Yes
Course facts
- Surface
- Road
- Notable features
- Crosses English-Welsh border
- 19 miles in England and 7 miles in Wales
- rolling elevation
- passes Chester's iconic landmarks
- runs along banks of River Dee
- 11 drink stations
How hilly is the Chester Marathon?
- Steep descent 0%
- Descent 7%
- Flat 86%
- Climb 6%
- Steep climb 0%
- Total ascent
- 220 m
- Net elevation
- +3 m
- GAP factor
- 0.3%
- Longest climb
- 680 m at 3.6%
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 12°CTypical temperature
- 21 kphTypical wind
- 3 mmTypical rainfall
- 83Favourability /100
More race details
Is the Chester Marathon flat?
Its normalised GAP factor is 0.3% slower than a flat course, with about 220 m of total ascent.