CLAPPING and cheering filled the streets of Chester as thousands of families watched runners race through the city centre on Sunday morning.
More than 4,000 runners flooded the city centre, racing past Chester Town Hall and under the Eastgate Clock, to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.
Parents, children and partners lined the streets clapping and cheering and residents poured from their homes to watch as the runners battled through the 26.2-mile race to reach the finish line in the MBNA Chester Marathon.
Starting at 9am, the event saw thousands of supporters fill Chester Racecourse to watch as Chester town crier David Mitchell fired the starting gun and sent competitors young and old tearing across the starting line.
Organisers have heralded the marathon as a ‘fantastic success story’ seeing more than 10,000 people flock to Chester despite the Liverpool Marathon being held on the same day.
Race organiser Chris Hulse praised volunteers and supporters who braved the dreary weather to help make the marathon a success, and said: “From start to finish this has been a wonderful event and we are absolutely delighted with the number of athletes, volunteers and supporters who are all played their part in making it such a remarkable day.
“There were some truly excellent performances and the feedback we have received tells us the new course has been a big hit with participants. That kind of feedback makes it all worthwhile and tells us all the hard work from everyone has really paid off.”
First across the finish line was Ben Fish, of Blackburn Harriers, who finished the race in 2hrs 27mins, while the first woman to finish the marathon was Debbie Mason, of Rotherham Harriers, who was close behind, finishing in 2hrs 48mins.
Despite the total sponsorship not being known organisers believe the event, which is the second Chester Marathon, could have raised more than £500,000 for the region’s charities.
