mbna Chester Marathon  Here's how RW members rated this race (442 votes). 2011 race reviewed by: Jonathan Storey
 | | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Excellent race - Some improvements could be made
In full: For me the race organisation started off on a downer. If only the local authorities had got the traffic police involved from the start. I should have arrived at the venue about 45 minutes before the car park shut. But due to horrendous traffic (which was solely caused by the queue to the race car park), I only just got in before it closed. Chester should maaybe look at the Robin Hood marathon as an example of getting the traffic police involved from the start.
After that everything was near perfection.
Brilliant support in the villages. Villagers shouting everyone's names in encouragement. Great encouragement at the water stations. Especially at mile 12. Unfortuantely there seemed to be few villages from about mile 18 (?) to 23 (?).
The scenery was respectable, I particulary enjoyed the loop around the city at the start and the bit by the river towards the end. Although the middle had far too many hedged country roads where all you could see were hedges and runners.
The 1st water station was difficult to get to as the runners hadn't spread out and it was only on one side of the road. The 2nd one was far better on both sides and after that they only needed to be on one side and they were well organised and vocal.
Overall it was a well organised race.
I wouldn't do it again but that's more to do with the distance.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: david bastow
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A bit dissapointed.
In full: Was really forward to this my 6th marathon.A found the course boring..too manty hedges and nothing to look at for most of the race.The marshalling was excellent,drinks stations and the young marshalls were graet.Support was superb when it appeared far too rural for me..you ran for ages without a sole in site,but when you did see the locals they were very supportive.Didn't enjoy the queue after to ahve your photo taken with the medal give runners a choive I just wanted to get to my family and not queue like in a supermarket.Well done to the organisors.I wont be running this again but I dont want to put anyone off.Give it a go and 2012 and make your own mind up.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: kimfree
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: An AMAZINGLY well thought out Marathon - Best one yet!
In full: Chris, Andy and all the organisers - what a race! I've done London twice now (2010 & 2011)and can honestly say I enjoyed this as much, if not more. The whole thing, for me, went like clockwork. I stayed in town so walked to the racecourse (1.5 miles) so didnt get caught up in the traffic and took a slow walk back to the hotel after, dropping past Starbucks in city for a hot chocolate where everyone wanted to see my medal and congratulate me - added bonus!!
The course was scenic and the names on the bibs was genius. I did London only 6 months ago but knocked 15 minutes off my time at Chester yesterday and got 3.59.18 - a HUGE PB for me, which I onlt got from specators screaming my name along Chester River and into the grandstand - they willed me along and their cheering at me made me aware it was still possible to get a sub 4 so sprinted in.
The end ran like clockwork, felt like a celebrity having the medal put on, ushered for a photo, given goody bag (fab one full of useful stuff!!) and my t-shirt. Met friends in the paddock area and loads of places to sit down.
Drinks stations were plentiful and you can tell its organised by runners. There were more spectators and support at the places you need them (mile 18 and 20 especially cheerful!)
My only qualm was that I didnt check the course route as it said flat. The second half was definately not flat! The hills at mile 22 (?) and mile 24 seem to suck the life out of me and had I known the 2nd half was slightly hillier I probably would of saved a little more energy so perhaps just worth mentioning the 2nd half is more undulating than the first to give people a chance of what to expect.
That said I cant complain, I did a HUGE PB so thanks guys, I shall be back next year and I hope this goes strength to strength for you - you deserve it!
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Stephen Murray 9
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great day, well organised, lots of water stations. Brilliant finish, felt like a star running in front of the grand stand. Well done organisers.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Jim + Hilary
| | 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: Chester 2011 surely sets the marathon benchmark for others to follow!
In full: However well you think you've trained for this distance you accept there will be multiple levels of pain you will need to manage. To offset this, Chester 2011 had superb organisation and support both on the day and in the months leading up to it (training runs, etc), fabulous marshals & plentiful well staffed drinks stations. I'm staggered how much enthusiastic crowd support along the course there was from the people in Chester and surrounding villages in both England and Wales shouting your bib name cheering you on-I cannot describe how much of a boost this gave.
The racecourse start & finish was brilliant, the almost flat route, with occasional very slight undulations, meant you could keep a steady pace and of course Chester itself (a wonderful city) was showcased in the best possible way. A most memorable event, which was a pleasure to be part of - and to all the other runners, it was a privilege to be with you - here's to doing even better@Chester 2012.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: maryhillmoose
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: How it should be done
In full: This was my 6th marathon and worth every bit of the trip down from Scotland. Much has already been said about the excellent organisation but it is so important to get it right (ahem, Edinburgh!) The marshals were all really supportive and each village had spectators shouting encouragement - having the crowd cheering my name was the only thing that stopped me from walking up that hill at 24 miles! Closed roads for all but a mile or so was a real bonus. The finish into the racecourse appeared out of nowhere from round a corner which was a real boost too! Goody bag was excellent and getting a t shirt I can actually wear while running is great! Would recommend this to anyone. Chester is a lovely city for pre and post race hanging out as well.
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: blue steve
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 20% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 20% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 40% |
In short: 20 miles of rural boredom ,
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: 2010 LBB
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: best organised race i.ve done- not as flat as it says on tin
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: pete101
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: designed for runners , i echo all the commrnts for this wondderfully organised event
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Shrek !
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Brilliantly well organised & great atmosphere
In full: My first marathon and except from the whole new world of pain these distances give you the race itself was fantastic - organasation was superb and the teams of marshalls were great. Loads of drink stations and loo's and the racecourse start / finish was special - very scenic apart from the miles and miles of farmland but villages and Chester were lovely
Date of review: October 10, 2011
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