mbna Chester Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: Hanky
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Fantastic race, very well supported & well organised..
In full: Chose this race last minute to try & get a PBS ahead of Snowdon marathon in a few weeks. Beautiful day, although race course was very wet so feet soaking at the start! Well placed drinks stations &fantastic support from the volunteers. Not keen on the .2 last miles on wet grass though! Pb achieved though so not all that bad! Might be back for the half..
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: juliet edwards
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: great course,brilliant organisation and wonderful support
In full: how can you love nearly 4 hours of plodding round 26 miles?choose almost perfect weather,a wonderful scenic route with a few undulations for a spot of variety,brilliant marshalls and supporters and throw in a PB.a perfect day,thank you so much.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: HammersFan
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Fantastic race that spans countries!
In full: Really enjoyed this one. Chester is a great place to visit anyway and having the race so near the city centre made the whole thing even better for runners. It is clear the race has been put together by runners as they have thought of everything to make this a special race.
Only changes I would ask for are the standard more loos please - the queue was really long! and not so keen on the grass track but not sure how they could fix this as it starts and finishes on Chester racecourse!
Much more bumpy than I expected - sure they were not big hills but there were lots of them and 2 or 3 at the end which made it extra hard! The cobble stones were fun too! Good support from the villages which you found every 5-miles or so with a couple of 2m straights which meant you could see way off in to the distance! Water, gels, isotonic drink stops were frequent and very well managed - think London Marathon and you get the idea. Please change the Sainsbury's orange though - it is so sweet you hate the sight of it by the end! Names on vests meant you got lots of support too.
Great finish with handshakes and a nice welcome from the finish team.
I am sure I will be back for this one (travelled 200m or so for this) so thanks again Chester - great stuff.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Jack Folkes
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Brilliant race, great atmosphere, a real gem!
In full: Loved my first marathon at Chester and my first marathon all together. The course was scenic and pretty flat apart from the hill in Farndon. I would do this race again the organisation was so slick!
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: ironmanjon
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: first rate race
In full: Great venue and organisation. Bumpier than I had expected and it would be helpful if the first section could be on a hard surface to avoid running 26 miles with wet socks
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Alastair Green
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Excellent run, very well organised
In full: Really well organised, great scenery and great to finish on the home stretch of the racecourse. Closing the roads made the locals come out and offer fantastic support in all the villages we went through. Thank you, great day.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: julie jones 14
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: My first marathon, will be back !
In full: Brilliant organisation, volunteers extremely professional and supportive.Course was excellent and support in the villages and City was first class. My first Marathon and I will be back next year.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Graham Parsons 5
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Superb!!
In full: Brilliantly organised from the moment I submitted the race entry form to the time I left the race venue having completed the marathon. Very friendly both at the start/finish and all the way around the course. This is largely a rural course apart from a couple of miles at either end which is in the city itself.Probably best described as undulating with a few small hills. None of these are significant but the one at mile 24 did seem quite a hill although this was undoubtedly down me rather than the steepness of the hill!
The volunteers around the course were amazing. Lots of them and very enthusiastic. Having names on the race numbers is great and makes a real difference particularly in the latter stages.
A race I will certainly be back to in the future.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: xe
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Rolls Royce of marathons
In full: Everything about this race is brilliant.
The organisation, information, friendliness of absolutely everyone. All first class.
Marshalls, helpres, other runners, supporters, the scenery is great too.
Right at the end, just over the line, there was someone who grabbed me by the hand - 'well done, congratulations' it was just ACE.
Thank you to everyone involved in such a brilliant event.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Gavvers
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: 2nd time that I have run this race and I can't it. Ample parking at the start / finish, a nice medal and a good quality t-shirt. The course isn't as flat as some woyuld have you believe, but still definite promise for a pb.
In full: This is definitely a race to consider for 2013 if you are looking for an autumn marathon.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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