2026 MBNA Chester Metric Marathon

The MBNA Chester Metric Marathon is a 26.6 km race in Chester, part of the MBNA Chester Marathon weekend. As the UK's original metric marathon, it fits between a half marathon and a full marathon, suitable for runners seeking a longer challenge without committing to 26.2 miles. The event sells out annually and is part of the Chester Triple Medal for series medal collectors. The race begins and ends in Chester city centre, guiding runners past the city's main landmarks before entering the Cheshire countryside. On the rural section, metric marathon participants merge with the full marathon field, then head back towards Chester along the River Dee. Local crowd support is strong, with Cestrian supporters lining sections of the course. Organisers provide training plans, advice, and free training runs prior to race day.