Chester Marathon 2026: Road closures across Chester this Sunday
By Dherran Titherington 8th Oct 2026 Thousands of runners and spectators will head to Chester this Sunday (11 October) for the 16th MBNA Chester Marathon.
By Nub News
By Dherran Titherington 8th Oct 2026
Thousands of runners and spectators will head to Chester this Sunday (11 October) for the 16th MBNA Chester Marathon.
Starting at Chester Racecourse, the race will take runners through the city and surrounding areas before finishing at the Little Roodee.
The size of the event means roads across Chester and nearby areas will be closed or restricted throughout the day, with drivers warned to expect significant disruption and diversions.
Here are the main closures affecting Chester.
Closures will affect much of the city centre from around 7.30am until 11am on race day, including:
Watergate Street will operate one-way eastbound from around 7.30am. The right turn from St Martin's Way into Watergate Street will be prohibited from around 7.15am until 11.15am.
Watergate Street between Nicholas Street and New Crane Street, and New Crane Street between Watergate Street and South View Road, will be closed for around 30 minutes at approximately 8.45am and again at 9.45am.
Castle Drive, between Grosvenor Road and the Old Dee Bridge, will be closed from 7am on Saturday 10 October until 8pm on Sunday 11 October.
Handbridge, between Lower Bridge Street and Queens Park Road, will be closed from around 7.30am until 4pm.
Further sections of Handbridge and Overleigh Road will close from around 8am, with Eaton Road and roads towards Wrexham also affected until around midday.
Lower Bridge Street, between Castle Street and the Old Dee Bridge, will close from 11am until approximately 4pm. Dee Lane, Grosvenor Park Terrace, The Groves and Souters Lane will be closed from around 8.30am until 5pm.
Boughton
Farndon, Churton and Aldford
Parking restrictions
From 5pm on Saturday 10 October, waiting, loading, unloading and parking will be prohibited for around 24 hours on certain sections of roads.
This includes Churton Road, Sandy Lane, Chester Road, Church Lane, Chapel Lane, The Hill, South View Road, Grosvenor Park Road and The Groves.
Some restrictions will include residents' parking bays and apply to both sides of the road.
Further parking restrictions will be introduced on parts of St Werburgh Street and Northgate Street from 6am on Sunday. Drivers are advised to avoid the marathon route where possible and allow extra time for journeys
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