Chester Half Marathon preview as race celebrates 40th birthday

Joint race organiser Chris Hulse said: “There will be a cake with 40 candles on it on race day – Sunday, May 15, and we are hoping the 4,000 runners at the starting line and the oodles of spectators will share our celebratory mood!

“We are honoured to have the race started by Dr Basil Thompson who was one of the organisers of the very first Chester Half Marathon back in 1982.

"He will be accompanied by British Marathon Champion Jonathan Mellor.”

At 9am the runners will head out from the Racecourse to wind through the city taking in the Watergate, the Rows and Cathedral before venturing out into the countryside via the Northgate. The event shows off the best that Chester has to offer and that includes the people of Chester themselves who will be cheering on from the sidelines.

Chris added: “Our award-winning half marathon attracts runners from far and wide, joining an impressive local contingent. We have a fantastic finish area outside the Town Hall which will produce a lively party atmosphere, giving much appreciated support to the runners heading down Northgate Street with all the spectators undoubtedly sharing in their triumph at completing the 13.1-mile challenge.”

The 40th Chester Half Marathon will take place on Sunday, May 15.

While the elite runners will finish the race in just over an hour, the majority of runners will take up to two hours and more, providing plenty of opportunity for spectating and high fives.

Chris and his team are hoping that Cestrians will turn out en masse to support the runners on this special anniversary occasion.

He said: “There are many novice runners tackling the race for the first time whose spirits will be lifted by the encouragement at the roadside. Some were inspired by the spectacle of the previous year and this year’s sell-out 10K.

"Others have been prompted to volunteer so they can be involved in a such an exciting event. It’s great to be part of the event whether as a runner, spectator or race maker.”

It is expected that the runners will raise over £500,000 for charity. While Claire House Hospice is the official race charity, a myriad of other great causes are supported by the runners.

Chris added: “As part of the anniversary celebrations we will be offering runners mini cakes and special birthday giveaways to 40 lucky winners at the finish, kindly donated by sponsors and local Chester businesses, in addition to the commemorative T-shirt and goody bag. It’s going to be a memorable event.”

For more information on the Essar Chester 2022 Half Marathon, the 1 mile family fun run, race route and how to volunteer, visit www.chesterhalfmarathon.co.uk.

Road closures

The following lengths of road will be closed at 5.30am for an anticipated duration of 8 1/2 hours:

• Northgate Street – George Street to Eastgate Street
• St Werburgh Street – Northgate Street to Eastgate Street
• Eastgate Street – Bridge Street to Foregate Street
• Foregate Street – The Eastgate to St John Street
• St John Street – Foregate Street to Little St John Street

The Order will prohibit the left turn from Nuns Road and the right turn from City Walls Road at 7.30am for an anticipated duration of 2 1/2 hours:

• Nuns Road – into New Crane Street
• City Walls Road – into New Crane Street

The following lengths of road will be closed at 7.30am for an anticipated duration of 5 1/2 hours:

• Walpole Street – Parkgate Road to Bouverie Street
• Garden Lane – Cheyney Road to Canal Street
• Canal Street – Raymond Street to Upper Northgate Street
• Saughall Road - Cheyney Road to Deva Link
• Stadium Way - Whipcord Lane to Saughall Road
• Raymond Street – Canal Street to Bouverie Street
• Bouverie Street – Cheyney Road to Garden Lane/Raymond Street
• Cheyney Road – Stadium Way to Parkgate Road

The following lengths of road will be closed at 8am for an anticipated duration of 2 1/2 hours:

• Bridge Street – Grosvenor Street to Watergate Street
• Watergate Street – Bridge Street to Nicholas Street/St Martin’s Way

The following lengths of road will be closed at 8.45am for an anticipated duration of 1 hour:

• Grosvenor Street - Grosvenor Roundabout to Bridge Street
• Grosvenor Road (Northbound) - Overleigh Roundabout to Grosvenor Roundabout

The following lengths of road will be closed at 8.55am or an anticipated duration of 35 minutes

• New Crane Street - Immediately outside of the entrance to Chester Racecourse to Nuns Road (Westbound)
• Watergate Street – Nicholas Street/St Martin’s Way to City Walls Road/Nuns Road (West-bound)

The following length of road will be closed at 8.55am for an anticipated duration of 30 minutes:

• Nicholas Street - Grosvenor Roundabout to Watergate Street

The following lengths of road will be closed at 7.30am for an anticipated duration of 5 1/2 hours:

• A540 Parkgate Road – Countess Way Roundabout to A494 (East bound off slip)

The following lengths of road will be closed at 8.30am for an anticipated duration of 4 1/2 hours:

• Blacon Avenue – A point immediately east of West Cheshire Custody Facility to Countess Way Roundabout
• Parkgate Road (Northbound) – Walpole Street to Countess Way Roundabout
• Countess Way - (Eastbound) Parkgate Road to Countess Court

The following lengths of road will be closed at 8.45am for an anticipated duration of 4 1/2 hours:

• Deva Link – Saughall Road to Countess Way Roundabout

The following lengths of road will be closed at 8.15am for an anticipated duration of 2 3/4 hours:

• Townfield Lane – Parkgate Road to Well Lane
• Well Lane – Townfield Lane – Station Road
• Station Road – Well Lane to A41 Liverpool Road

The following lengths of road will be closed at 8.15am for an anticipated duration of 3 3/4 hours:

• Demage Lane – Station Road to Grove Road
• Grove Road – Coalpit Lane to Well Lane
• Coalpit Lane – Parkgate Road to Grove Road

Overwood Lane – Parkgate Road to Townfield Lane

• Townfield Lane - Coalpit Lane to Overwood Lane

The following lengths of road will be closed at 8.30am for an anticipated duration of 4 hours:

• Long Lane – Lodge Lane to Parkgate Road
• Fiddlers Lane – Long Lane to Parkgate Road

The Order will also prohibit waiting, loading and unloading at 5.30am for a maximum duration of 8 1/2 hours on Upper Northgate Street/Northgate Street between its junctions with Canal Street and St Werburgh Street, and prohibit waiting, loading and unloading at 5.30am for a maximum duration of 5 hours on:

• Bridge Street – Grosvenor Street to Watergate Street and
• Watergate Street – Bridge Street to Nicholas Street/St Martin’s Way
• Eastgate Street – Bridge Street to St Werburgh Street

• Prohibit waiting at 6am for a maximum duration of 61/2 hours on Garden Lane (west side) - from a point 5 metres south of the party wall of No’s 51/53 Garden Lane for a distance of 10 metres in a northerly direction

• Prohibit Parking and Suspend Disabled parking on St Werburgh Street for its entire length

Alternative routes for traffic

Traffic diverted from Parkgate Road (Walpole Street to Countess Way section) should proceed via A5116 Liverpool Road and Countess Way

All affected traffic towards Chester will be diverted as follows:

• A540 Parkgate Road
• A5117
• A41 Liverpool Road

All affected traffic out of Chester will be diverted as follows,

• A41 Liverpool Road
• A5117
• A540 Parkgate Road

Nothing in the Order shall prevent driving upon the said lengths of road of any vehicle which is being used in an emergency for fire brigade, ambulance or police purposes.