11/12/2025
Race Day Instructions are now available!
CHESTER ROUND-THE-WALLS RACE
Boxing Day 26th December 2025
10:30 am. START
The Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY
Information for Runners
In the event of icy or very wet weather, rendering it unsafe to use the City Walls, the race may be cancelled or the route significantly changed. If adverse weather conditions occur, we will email you and provide as much notice as possible. Please check your email on the day before setting off, precise weather forecasting is very difficult!
Please note that the race organisers may take photographs during the race and may use these images for publicity purposes.
Race Route
The actual course used will depend on renovations to the Walls and weather conditions on the day. The current route measures approximately 6.4km.
The race starts on the grass close to the White Horse Pub with a clockwise lap inside the racecourse rails. The runners will complete approx. 2 km within the confines of the Roodee before crossing the racecourse near the main entrance. After turning left onto the footpath adjacent to the hotel car park, the race turns left again on the footpath adjacent to the railway arches and then joins the riverside path. The route follows the riverside path under Grosvenor Bridge, past the Little Roodee Car Park and towards Castle Drive.
The runners cross Castle Drive at the University building to join the City Walls at Bridgegate for an anti-clockwise circuit before returning to the Racecourse via the steps from Nuns Road. From the bottom of the steps the runners will run through the car park in front of the main stands before turning left to cross the racecourse. After following the main access road the runners turn left onto the grass to finish close to the White Horse pub.
The City Walls are narrow in places, with several flights of steps up and down, some sharp corners and are elevated. Once on the City Walls, there will be little opportunity for overtaking slower runners. Please look out for and be considerate to pedestrians, who have as much right to be on the Walls as you do. Marshals will advise the public of the race but there are numerous access points to the walls.
In accordance with UKA rules, the wearing of headphones, or similar devices, (other than those medically prescribed), is not permitted and will lead to disqualification.
Fancy Dress
Fancy Dress is encouraged but please be mindful of the narrow paths and the other runners and pedestrians that you’ll be sharing the walls with. Please try not to cause obstructions.
Dogs and Pushchairs
Dogs or any type of pushchairs / buggies are not permitted.
Registration
Numbers have been posted and if received, there will be no need to check in on the day. Please ensure the emergency information form on the reverse of your number is completed. If you do not receive your number in the post, please bring proof of entry to registration on race day.
THE RACE IS FULL AND THERE WILL BE NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY.
A number transfer facility is available prior to and on race day at no cost. We will require evidence that another runner has granted their permission for the transfer to proceed. And please DO NOT run with another runner’s number unless the transfer has been completed in niftyentries.com. It’s very important for your own safety that we have the correct details including any medical details for each runner. Failure to obey this rule will lead to disqualification.
Car Parking
There is NO parking available on the Roodee or within the confines of the racecourse. There is a small pay and display car park opposite the entrance to the Racecourse, and another next to the railway viaduct. Information on other car parks in Chester City Centre is available at: https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/parking-and-permits/chester-car-parks.aspx
Toilets
Toilets are in the fenced-off area between the road crossing point of the racecourse and the finish area for the race by the White Horse. There are also toilets available in the main grandstand.
Refreshments
Bottled water will be available at the end. Just pick one up if you need one.
We will also have Silver Café Co providing freshly ground coffee and other drinks and a selection of cakes and cookies.
Prizes
Men: First 5 plus 1st U/20, O/40, O/45, O/50, O/55, O/60, O/65, O/70
Women: First 5 plus 1st U/20, O/40, O/45, O/50, O/55, O/60, O/65, O/70
Prize presentations will be made as soon as possible after the race for the first 5 male and female finishers only. All age category prizes will be sent to the runners in the next few days after the race.
Only one prize per person.
All finishers will receive a race memento based on artwork by local artist Louise Diggle.
