Thousands of runners set hot pace in 40th Essar Chester Half Marathon

Chester Road Runners. All pictures by Simon Warburton.

To mark the special occasion, the race was started by Dr Basil Thompson, who was one of the organisers of the very first Chester Half Marathon in 1982. He was accompanied at the prize giving by local marathon champion Jonny Mellor.

Birthday celebrations as Dr Basil Thomson, organiser of the first Chester Marathon, with today's Chester Marathons organiser Chris Hulse.

The event, which continues to draw in entrants from far and wide, took the runners through the heart of the city in its early stages and then out into the countryside before finishing in front of thousands of spectators in the city centre, where the runners received their special commemorative T-shirts and medals together with their very own celebration cake.

“The warm conditions did not daunt the runners,” said Chris Hulse, joint race organiser of Active Leisure Events, “and were ideal for the army of spectators who turned up to watch the action and support the athletes both in the city and in the villages of Mollington and Saughall, as well as the Garden Quarter in the final mile.”

Winners first three ladies and first three men, third place Sophie Delderfield, Peter Avent, second place Sophie Birtles, Tom Merson and first place Alice Sunderland (Brolon) and Omar Ahmed.

Omar Ahmed of Birchfield Harriers was this year’s winner in a time of 1:03:53, followed by Tom Merson of Exmouth Harriers (1:07:46) and Peter Avent (1:08:23).

The first woman to cross the line was Alice Braham of Ealing Eagles RC who finished in a time of 1:18:08 followed by Sophie Birtles (1:18:22) and Sophie Delderfield of Vale of Aylesbury AC (1:18:52).

Ellesmere Port Running Club.

Alice said: “It was the first time I have run here in Chester and there was something really special in starting and finishing in such an historic city centre. I also loved running in the countryside; the support on the course was brilliant!”

While the main race was in progress, 600 children and adults enjoyed a trot around Chester Racecourse in the one-mile Family Fun Run. The Fun Run was started by Ellie McKie representing Claire House.

Start of the Fun Run.

Chris added: “The runners are on expected to raise a phenomenal £500,000 for charity this year.

“I would like to thank our title sponsor Essar and associate sponsors Brecon Carreg, Mitchell Group, Innospec and High 5. We could not host the event without the support of our sponsors and amazing volunteers who make participation in the race such a memorable experience for the runners.

Winners of the Fun Run Alex Young, age 16 and Lucy Hellingsworth, 13.

Mark Pearson of Claire House Children's Hospice said: “Claire House Children’s Hospice are honoured to be the official charity of the Chester running events in 2022. As a charity, we are looking after more children and their families than ever before, but this is only possible because of amazing people in our community who support us.

“This year we hope that runners in the three Chester events will raise over £50,000 for Claire House; this will make a huge difference at Claire House. We are always there for local children and their families who need us, whenever and wherever we are needed, this is only possible because of fund raising from events such as the Essar Chester Half Marathon.”

The Essar Team Runners.

Race director Andy White added: “I think we can say we marked this special occasion in style and are delighted to be back to our traditional time of the year.”

Entries for the 2023 Essar Chester Half Marathon, on May 21, are already open. Race organisers, Active Leisure Events, also organise the MBNA Chester Marathon in October and the MBNA Chester 10k in March.

High five, the Zawadzki family.

For information, go to www.activeleisureevents.co.uk

Crossing the line, first man Omar Ahmed.