Chester Marathon: Everything you need to know

About 10,000 runners are expected to take to the streets of Chester in October for the MBNA Chester Marathon.

The 26.2-mile (42.2km) race is set to follow a route that will take in key Roman sites as well as crossing the England and Wales border.

The event marks the 16th outing of the marathon, and also includes a metric marathon which covers a 26.2km (16.2 mile) route.

About £20m has been raised for charities since 2010, organisers say, and a team of over 700 volunteers help the marathon take place each year.

Here is everything you need to know for this year's race.

The marathon takes place on Sunday 11 October and will be started by Olympic champion Dame Denise Lewis at Chester Racecourse at 09:00 BST.

An event village will be located on the Little Roodee car park, next to Chester Racecourse and behind the finish area.

Road closures will be in place across the city and route. But access to Chester city centre will remain on the A438, A540, A5116 and A56.

The marathon passes some of the city's most iconic landmarks, before following a route through Cheshire and the Welsh countryside.

In the city, the race will pass the Town Hall, Cathedral, Eastgate Clock, and Roman amphitheatre, before crossing the Old Dee Bridge.

Runners will then leave Chester past the Duke of Westminster's estate and through Eccleston and Pulford, before crossing into Wales and the villages of Lavister and Holt.

After crossing the River Dee at Farndon, runners will return to England for the home stretch through Churton, Aldford and Huntington.

The final mile will be the Groves beside the River Dee, where crowds traditionally gather as runners approach the finish on Castle Drive.

The sold-out MBNA Chester Metric Marathon is the "ideal stepping stone between the half marathon and full marathon distances", organisers said.

Chester railways station is a 15-20 minute walk to the racecourse with direct trains running from Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Drivers are advsied to use the city centre car parks or park and ride services as on-site parking at the racecourse is restricted.

Some of the best viewing points include:

• Chester Racecourse
• The City Walls
• Eccleston and Pulford
• Lavister and Holt in Wales
• Farndon
• Churton, Aldford and Huntington
• The Groves on the River Dee

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