SHELL UK is fuelling this year’s Chester Half Marathon scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 15.

The famous Shell Stanlow refinery has agreed a sponsorship deal for the well established and popular 13.1 miles road race being organised by West Cheshire Athletic Club, and assisted by Cheshire West and Chester Council, and the event has adopted the The Youth Federation, whose headquarters are in Ellesmere Port, as this year’s race charity.

They deliver projects which address the needs of disadvantaged young people in Cheshire, Halton, Warrington and Wirral.

Entries have now closed for the half marathon as the entry limit of 2,800 was reached at the end of March.

Both West Cheshire AC and Cheshire West and Chester Council are excited and delighted to have Shell UK on board for their eighth year of sponsorship for Chester’s biggest participation event which starts on Castle Drive at 9.30am with the leading runners reappearing over Grosvenor Bridge just over an hour later to finish on the Roodee after their 13.1 mile journey.

Half marathon race director, Ian Cook, is spearheading this year’s event.

He said: “The race seems to be growing in stature year after year, and our marriage with Shell UK as sponsors has raised the profile and magnitude of the fixture to an even greater level.

“We are very grateful to Shell. Its support has allowed us to proceed with greater confidence in putting on the event.”

Shell UK public affairs manager, Edward Brady, looking forward to this year’s event, said: “It’s great to be associated with such a popular event, which has an important place on the British road running calendar.

“It has been going strong for more than 20 years and with our help it will have an even better future.”

Shell UK has also pledged support for West Cheshire AC’s other race promotions during 2011, which include The Sutton Six 10k Road Race in September, and the Chester Round The Walls Race on Boxing Day.