All the Chester Half Marathon road closures as 6,000 runners to hit city streets

Thousands of runners will descend on the city centre this weekend for the much-anticipated Essar Chester Half Marathon. The event, which will feature 6,000 competitors, takes place on Sunday (May 19).

The day will also include a one-mile fun run with 800 participants to give people of all ages the opportunity to join in the excitement as well as inspiring the next generation of runners. The half marathon route - predominantly flat and encompassing both city and rural landscapes - will be entirely closed to traffic.

The race, which starts at Chester Racecourse, is part of the esteemed Chester Triple series, offering participants the opportunity to earn a coveted Chester Triple medal by completing all three of the Active Leisure Events-organised races in one year, on top of individual race medals.

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In an exciting development for 2024, the Essar Chester Half Marathon will host a qualifier for the England Athletics & Welsh Athletics Age Group Masters Half Marathon Championship. Runners interested in qualifying are encouraged to visit the event website for more details.

"At Active Leisure Events, we are avid runners ourselves, driven by the passion to deliver the perfect race experience," said Callum Shields of Active Leisure Events. "Our aim is to provide premier quality racing at competitive prices, catering to runners of all abilities and speeds. We take pride in infusing our events with a friendly atmosphere and personalised touches that are unique to us."

Road closures details and advice

Active Leisure Events state that "access to the city centre will always be available via Sealand Road and New Crane street, except for a short period between the race start". This section of road will likely be closed at around 8.55am for 20 to 30 minutes.

People living on the route and need to leave by car during the road closures are advised to move their car away from affected roads before the closures start. For those travelling into the city, use Liverpool Road, Hoole Way, the A51 and Grosvenor Road routes to avoid the closures.

Access to Sealand Road towards Chester will be available except for a 20 to 30 minute period from 8.55am, while the runners leave Chester Racecourse. If people need to leave their house towards Chester they are recommended to leave before 8.55am or after 9.25am.

Cheyney Road, Stadium Way, Bouverie Street, Raymond Street, Canal Street and Garden Lane are closed until 1pm Cars parked on West Lorne Street, Chichester Street or roads connecting these will be able to use the George & Dragon pub to exit. There will be no exit for cars parked in the Garden Lane car park as runners will be on the road.

Cars parked west of the canal will be able to exit via Sealand Road up to the A550 and Two Mills. Access via Sealand Road from Blacon into Chester will be available except for a 20 to 30 minute period from 8.55am, while the runners leave the Chester Racecourse. Access from Chester towards Blacon will not be available via Sealand Road between 7.30am and 10am.

Parkgate Road through Mollington will be closed from 8.30am to 1pm, and roads in Mollington are shut from 8.30am to 12pm. Well Lane and Station Road will be closed from 8.30am to 11am. Organiser says they "will endeavour to provide residents access to the A41 after 10.10am".

From 8.30am until 1pm, Parkgate Road will be closed. Access and exit via Sealand Road to North Wales and the Wirral is available at all times. Access via Sealand Road from Saughall into Chester will be available except for a 20 to 30 minute period from 8.55am, while the runners leave Chester Racecourse. Access from Chester towards Saughall, available via Sealand Road, will be restricted between 7.30am and 10am.

Liverpool Road and the A41 can be used for people to travel between Ellesmere Port/Wirral and Chester. After 10am it is also possible to use Sealand Road and the A550 to get to Two Mills junction and continue north from there. Road closures do not apply to pedestrians.

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