mbna Chester Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). 2012 race reviewed by: M A Bibaud
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Can't find fault
In full: My first marathon and I was pleased with my choice and very happy with my long sleave tech tshirt, medal and other goodies. Not pancake flat but only one 'serious' hill. Every part of the organisation was perfect. I went to the course the day before for a 'reccy' and met one of the organisers, Chris, who - even though he was clearly busy - took time out to chat to me and the family to offer last minute running and spectating advice, which epitomises everything about the spirit in which this event is organised.
Only thing I would worry about is how well the event would survive a downpour as the course can get quite muddy. Luckily, this year, it was dry and absolutely perfect marathon weather.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Russell Nimbus
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Brilliant, scenic, well organised marathon!
In full: Chester Marathon is a really beautiful, scenic race with a few hills to keep you occupied. It's definitely got PB potential as I managed to knock 5 minutes off mine. It isn't congested like some of the bigger marathons so you can run at your own pace without fear of bumping into people. The support through the villages is awesome and the quiet stretches are tranquil and idyllic. The race organisation is like clockwork and Andy and Chris (unlike other race organisers) are personable and really care about runners and delivering a great marathon. My only (very minor critisism) is the mdedal could be a little nicer (and made out of gold perhaps? haha).
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: compo 1
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: tough
In full: my 6th marathon and my 3rd chester and Chris and Andy have done it again every went like clockwork again and i will be back next year was 1 min faster then last year getting 3h43 then for hot drink and sausage bap in tent will be back again take note Blackpool marathon this is the way to put a race on
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: luverlylegs (mrs jigs)
| | 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: In my opinion this should be voted number 1 race of the year!
In full: My first time at Chester and how great it was! The organisers have everything 100% spot on, not the cheapest to enter but most certainly value for money. The venue was good, route fantastic, support and friendliness outstanding!
Although not a flat course I couldn't agree that there were hills, undulations yes, but not hills. I rather prefer this type of course anyway, flat is boring and can be harder work.
There is so much that I could say but I wont ramble on. Pity I lived to far away to meet up for the training runs, I think that was a particularly nice touch. Whenever I am ready to run a marathon again I am pretty sure it will be this one. Just one downside and that was the start & finish on the muddy, slippery track. I did manage to bag an excellent PB though!
A big thank you to everyone involved in making this a most perfect event!
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Simon Smith 21
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: An outstanding race day experience in all aspects
In full: I competed in this race with my wife who had ran the previous year's race with a club mate and had lots of good things to say about the event. We had both been disappointed with our times in the Vienna Marathon clocked earlier this year, and were seeking to make amends on home soil. Having competed in 9 previous marathons across the UK and Europe, I would have to rate Chester as being up there with the very best. Large enough to feel like a real "event", but small enough to still care, the race was superbly organised at all major touch points. Other reviewers have mentioned that the race is clearly organised by runners for runners, and based on my experience I heartily concur. All taking place in glorious sunshine(and how lucky were we all with that given the shocking weather of 2012?), the support throughout from the marshalls and the public was outstanding. Spectator numbers were never huge at any point on what was admittedly a largely rural course, but what they lacked in numbers they more than made up for in volume of encouragement. Having my name on my number was a thoughtful touch, as it was so lovely to hear your name called out, especially when I was flagging badly in the last couple of miles. I have had a number of really unsatisfactory experiences after the finish line, hunting for a drink (a really heinous crime by organisers) and having to track down where medals/tee shirts etc could be collected. Not so at Chester, this critical aspect of the event really did stand out as being smooth, easy and highly effective, which is what you so badly need at the end of a distance that takes no prisoners. My wife stated on numerous occasions that she should see how feedback from the previous year had been taken on board, so well done again for not only inviting feedback, but then actually being bothered to listen to it. Oh yes, and we both achieved PB's that we are absolutely thrilled with! I usually say life is too short to race the same marathon more than once, but Chester might have just made me change my mind - it was that good. I have no hesitation in recommending it most warmly to beginner and veteran alike. There's something for everybody. I sense this event will only grow in popularity, but please please never let it get so big that it loses the special qualities that made it stand out in the first place. Well done all involved!
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: WAYNE HOLLAND
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: Best Organised UK Marathon
In full: Chris and Andy (organisers) know what marathon runners want and deliver it. More importantly they listen and there were improvements on last years fantastic race !
The racecourse is a superb venue for the start and finish. You actually run through the beautiful city of Chester ( pay attention "Manchester" marathon which doesn't go near the actual city it puports to be running in and "Edinburgh" which starts on the edge of the city runs away and never returns !!)
Then it's off into the countryside with a few minor undulations. For those who think there are hills in this race I recommend you look at the Snowdon marathon and put things in perspctive....
The drinks stations are fantastic. Volunteers are enthusiastic and having your name on your number makes such an enormous difference. The Shotz gels at 15 and 20 miles were a brilliant idea and I hope they return next year.
The finish was the best set up I have ever ran through for any race of any distance. I finished in 3.47 so in amongst the bulk of runners but with a nice wide finish and a well planned set up after the line everything was smooth which was especially important as I had suffered severe cramp during the final stages and was on the verge of collapse.
Medal round the neck , kind offers of assistance ( turned down because I'm nails ),goody bag and t shirt and only a very short limp to the repatriation area so I could collapse with my friends and family.
Really good goody bag as well !!
A 10 minute massage off a girl that looked and sounded like "The girl With A Dragon Tattoo" was well worth £5 !!!
I didn't get a PB this year but this is simply the best race in the calender and I will be back next year , and the year after , and the year after.
I don't know of any other marathon that is one of the cheapest around and you get free mointhly training runs with a very warm welcome and perfect race day experience.
Thank you to the organising team and volunteers.
What a day !!
PS.
I don't know how but Chris and Andy have managed to book perfect weather for race day two years in a row. Lashed it down before and after last year but was perfect on race day and this years couldn't have been better. How do they do it !!??
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: KMJ
| | 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: Flawless organisation, great atmosphere, scenic course, great marathon!
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Sneeze
| | 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: Top notch in everyway!
In full: My first marathon and let's be honest I was nervous. But upon arrival at race HQ I was greeted by friendly volunteers asking was I OK, did I need directions etc? Great facilities at the racecourse and then out onto a great course through country lanes and picturesque villages. There are 3 hills of significance - start, middle and end but they aren't too bad. Lots of friendly marshall on course and efficient water and feed stations at 3 miles intervals. There are even loos at the water stops and bins for your rubbish around the course. I would definitely recommend this event for marathon newbies looking for a friendly and encouraging event.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: Phil Tugwell
| | 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: Brilliant race wth amazing organisation
In full: brilliant organised race which ran like clockwork you would be hard pressed to find any criticism of the race from the pre race organisation to the race itself and texted results less than a minute after crossing the line is more than impressive
certainly a race to do again
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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2012 race reviewed by: GraemeK
| | 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: Outstanding organisation
In full: This was a very well organised race, great support from the locals, great marshalls, sensibly priced car parking close to the start/finish, closed roads, Haribo and chocolate in the goody bag for the drive home, nice t-shirt, good route albeit not as flat as I thought it would be. There really isn't a lot to say against this race.
Date of review: October 8, 2012
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