The Main Event

Stunning architecture. Great views. Two countries. The Chester Marathon is a treat for Rick Pearson

The Chester Marathon

UNTIL RECENTLY, my knowledge of Chester was gleaned from Hollyoaks. No disrespect to the show, but it does little to promote the city’s Roman architecture or highly rated marathon. Hoping to find out more about both, I headed to the 2017 Chester Marathon on a mild October day.

Discovery number one: Chester has two marathons, one much shorter than the other. It’s the only race in the UK to run a metric marathon 26.2km (16.3 miles) alongside a full marathon. The Romans, who loved the mile almost as much as they loved watching Christians being mauled by lions, would have gotten their togas in a twist over this. But for those looking to dip their toe into marathons – or bag an easy PB – it’s a great addition. That said, I’m here for the imperial distance.

My previous marathons have been studies in what I call Type 2 fun: activities enjoyable only in retrospect. Today will be different. I plan to run with the four-hour pace group, made up of runners from Blackburn Road Running Club, and accomplish something new: to enjoy a marathon in the moment.

Chester makes this easy, and not simply because I’m running at a slightly more comfortable pace than usual. The other runners are friendly, an international bunch who are happy to chat as we go. That Roman architecture is nice too, imbuing the early miles with a certain grandeur, and the course is stunning. We pass through quaint English villages and bucolic