A rolling road marathon crossing from Chester into Wales and back. It is a different proposition from an entirely flat city marathon.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
Official maps & course details
Use the organiser’s map for the full route and your allocated start.
02 Choose your approach
Find your race strategy.
Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.
My first finish
Begin conservatively and let the field spread.
Keep the same comfortable effort when the road rises.
Use a practised fuel routine and reassess the time goal if effort rises early.
A PB or time goal
Give small rises permission to change your split.
Return to your rhythm gradually after the crest.
Save the strongest sustained effort for the return, rather than banking time early.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
- Drinks stations
- The marathon event page lists 11 drinks stations. Exact products and locations are not stated in this listing.
Toilet locations: a confirmed location list is not available here. Check the official course or runner map before race day; a drinks table does not automatically mean there is a toilet beside it.
Turn the station list into your plan
Mark the stops you expect to use and the fuel you will carry. If you use a gel that needs water, pair it with a published water point. Practise the products and cup or bottle format before race day; you do not have to try every item offered.
04 Before the start
Your race morning.
Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.
The start
Start time
09:00 on 10 October 2027.
Finish window
Time limit
6 hours.
Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.
05 Make the day work together
Supporters & getting around.
Plan your support
Base supporters around Chester rather than promising several cross-border sightings. Choose one accessible cheer point from the final course map and a distinct reunion after the finish.
The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.
Chester event village
A practical base for a start or finish cheer. Use the final spectator access map to stay outside the controlled runner areas.
2027 event information
Official spectator or route informationMake the cheer easy to find
Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.
Getting there and getting home
- Event village
- The Roodee, Chester CH1 2LY. Check access and car-park availability before driving.2027
06 Before you book
Entry, fees & time limits.
See the organiser for current places, entry categories and the final checkout total.
Check official entry optionsCan you finish inside the time limit?
- Time limit
- 6 hours.
Stay in the loop
Email me event updates.
Spend more time training and less time checking. Get the key updates for your race, straight to your inbox.
07 Make your training relevant
Practise for this course.
One thing to rehearse
Keep the same comfortable effort when the road rises.
08 Put your plan together
Useful before race day.
Plan your pre-run fuel
Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.
Explore the fuel plannerMake race fuel feel familiar
Understand how to practise taking carbohydrate during longer runs.
Read the guideArrive ready, not worn out
Understand what changes in the final weeks before a marathon.
Read the guideA plan that fits your life.
Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.
Official race information
Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.