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Chester Half Marathon winners

Chester's Champions

The Essar Chester Half Marathon made a welcome return at the weekend…

Sunshine gave away to cloudy conditions for the nearly 3,500 main race runners and 700 family fun runners taking part in the Essar Chester 2021 Half Marathon on Sunday (19 September).

“We are over the moon that the Half Marathon is back,” said Joint Race Organiser Chris Hulse of Active Leisure. “The event has again been an outstanding success both for the elites at the head of the race and the thousands of club, main pack and fun runners behind them; together with the children and adults who charged around the Racecourse in the 1-mile family fun run!”

Jonathan Escalante-Phillips of Cambridge & Coleridge AC won the race in a time of 1:06:36 followed by Charlie Hulson of Liverpool Harriers & AC (1:07:03) and Daniel Jarvis of Bedford & County AC (1:07:09).

First female over the line was Tracy Barlow of Thames Valley Harriers (1:20:13) closely followed by the 2019 winner Kirsty Longley of Liv. Pembroke & Sefton AC (1:20:20) and Sarah Hunter of Ackworth RR (1:20:32).

Escalante-Phillips said: “It was nice to have the distraction of the city and sights, but then also that was balanced with long stretches in the countryside to focus on the running. It was a great race for spectators too!”

Race Director Andy White went on to say: “We are absolutely delighted with the number of athletes, volunteers and supporters who have all played their part in making it such a memorable event. Having our wonderful city central to it all is also a massive factor in what makes our race a unique experience.

“It’s clear from feedback already received, that huge thanks are due from the runners to the communities and householders along the course, especially those of Mollington, Saughall and the Garden Quarter. The support they gave both in terms of encouragement and refreshments really spurred the runners on when they needed it the most!”

One of the central aims of the Essar Chester Half Marathon is to support local communities and charities. The expectation is that race runners will have raised in excess of £500,000 for their charities and good causes, with Wirral based Northern Lights Children’s Charity being the main race charity for the 2021 event.

The 2022 Essar Chester Half Marathon will be an extra special 40th anniversary of the race. The event will be returning to its usual spring date and will be held on Sunday 15 May 2022.  Entries are already open with a £10 discount for all sign-ups before 30 September.

Image: Active Leisure Events

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