Chester Marathon 2011

[Chris Hart]

I pre-registered for this a while ago. It isn't until 9th October NEXT YEAR but you can guarentee an entry now.

chestermarathon.co.uk/

The inaugral race was earlier this year but they are increasing the size and moving it to autumn. "The route will take runners through Chester's city centre passing iconic landmarks, with an unforgettable grandstand finish at the Chester Racecourse".

[Chris Hart]

No London place. All systems go for Chester.

Just one year and nine days to go

[Jon Channell]

Will bear it in mind - no London place for me either, but just looking up Edinburgh...

[tractorboy]

I'm defo up for Chester next year - it must be the closest marathon for us so should aim for good club representation!!

Jon - I didn't rate Edinburgh this year, not well supported between about 5 - 23 miles and the finish is badly co-ordinated... that said it is a big run so you've always got other runners around you...

[Jon Channell]

Thanks for the advice Glenn - I'm undecided now. I've got my head set on a marathon in the Spring, but would like it to be a biggy. The route in Edinburgh looks interesting at the start, but seems to drift out of the city centre after that, so I'm not surprised it's quiet for those miles.

Thought about Paris too, but it be expensive to stay overnight, and I'd like to take the family, but it would be tricky getting back for school on Monday.

Chester would certainly be good - apparently they're also planning one in Liverpool about the same time - only problem with an Autumn marathon is keeping the training up through Summer hols...

[Jon Channell]

Yep. Mersey Marathon is scheduled for 3rd October - a week before Chester. Details not confirmed yet, but this does look a good route.

www.runliverpool.org.uk/MerseyMarathon.php

I've pre-registered for Chester too - keeping options open!

[Chris Hart]

The Mersey Marathon organisers went for that date because there are no Premier League matches that weekend.

The official website states now states 23rd October but a LCC news release states 9th Oct. The Mersey Marathon could be a great race but attemps to re-launch it look to be mirroring the Manchester Marathon.

[Jon Channell]

Interesting discussion going on re Mersey Marathon on Runners World - www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=155839&URN=6&dt=4&srchdte=0&cp=44&v=1&sp=

It seems Liverpool Council have F****d up the bidding process. They intended to award the bid to run it to Limelight Sports, a London-based company, but before the contract was signed, Limelight have pulled out. Therefore, it looks like it's going to RunLiverpool, who already do the Liverpool Half and other local stuff.

Alan Rothwell's the organiser with Run Liverpool, and although nothing's official, he's planning to open a website to get expressions of interest this week. Seems he's serious about trying to organise a decent race, but has been held back up to now by the council.

With Chester now taking firm entries, there are lots of people (including me) debating whether to wait for Liverpool or enter Chester. I'm still keen on Liverpool if it's definitely going to be on - what does anyone else think?

[Chris Hart]

I'm sticking with Chester as they sound serious about putting on a good show and the feedback from last year is good.

I must admit that Liverpool sounds interesting Jon. You could alway give them to the end of the year to get their act together before making a final decision.

[Jon Channell]

Just read the thread about Liverpool again, and it looks like it's on for October 9th 2011!

Although LCC haven't formally announced it, they've told RunLiverpool that they will be awarded the contract, and RunLiverpool are taking pre-registration entries. They're already planning arrangements, such as getting permission to run through the tunnel etc.

So.....decision time! I still really fancy Liverpool and have pre-registered, but...

[Chris Hart]

Decisions, decisions.

I drove through the Wallasey tunnel yesterday and I was wondering whether the potential marathon would go through there.

[Jon Channell]

I can never remember which is which Chris, but the plan is for the marathon to go through one of them - the Birkenhead one I think. If you might still be persuaded to do Liverpool, there is a website at www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk/

They're just collecting email addresses as yet, but with a view to taking proper entries once LCC have formally announced it.

[Jon Channell]

Another update from the RW Forum - looks like it's all signed up, and just waiting for a formal announcement once the route is finalised:

www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/forummessages.asp?UTN=155839&dt=4&URN=6&srchdte=0&cp=77&v=1&sp=

I know it's tough on Chester, as they got their act together first, but I think this one looks really exciting.