DISTANCE
50 MILES
ELEVATION
849M
LOCATION
CHESTER
PLACES
500
CUT-OFF TIME
17 HOURS
ENTRY FEE
£119 (unaffiliated) £117 (affiliated)
CHESTER ULTRA 50
Saturday 28th February 2026
2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the incredible Chester Ultra 50 Mile race
The Race is hosted by the GB Ultras team with live online GPS tracking from GB Race Tracker & 7 Checkpoints supporting runners along some of the very best & most beautiful natural trails in the region with 849m of Ascent.
This well-marked ultra-marathon links trails along the North Cheshire Way and the Sandstone Trail taking in Helsby Hill, Delamere Forest & Frodsham.
The event also attains ITRA points & UTMB mountain performance index points (allocation tbc).
The event is iicensed by the TRA (Trail Running Association) and held under UK Athletics Rules.
Ready for the challenge?
Chester Ultra 50 gets sold out pretty quickly, secure your place now to avoid massive FOMO!
You can also choose to spread the cost by instalments via Paypal, ClearPay and Payl8r (subject to status).
Please ensure you have read all of the race information below in full and that you meet the qualifying criteria for the event before entering the race.
**Update 09/09/2025 – the 2026 event is now sold out. We do not operate a waitlist for the event but places can be transferred up to 07/02/2026. For more details on transfers of places, please scroll down to the ‘Withdrawal / Transfer of Place / Deferrals / Refunds’ in the Race Information section below
Follow the Chester Ultra 50 page & Join the GB Ultras Community Group.
Course Records
Mens PB – Joshua Barrow (GBR) 6 hours 23 minutes 23 seconds (2025)
Ladies PB – Fiona Cook (GBR) 7 hours 41 minutes 30 seconds (2025)
Are You Ready To
Be Challenged? Explore the Cheshire Countryside? Earn Your Chester Medal? Take on 50 Miles?
Gold, Silver or Bronze?
Top 200 finishers earn a Gold ‘Chester Ultra’ Medal
201-400 finishers earn a Silver ‘Chester Ultra’ Medal
401+ finishers earn the Bronze ‘Chester Ultra’ Medal.
The Chester Ultra 50 Mile is part of the GB Ultras 50 Mile SLAM and GB Ultras 50 Mile GRAND SLAM!
Click Below For The Live Results Feed
Please note the online tracking system is separate to our race timing system and has no bearing on these results.
Race Information
We want you to have the most amazing time at the Chester Ultra 50! All the information you need to participate in this event is below.
Race instructions will be sent out to all participants approximately 2 weeks prior to race date – this will include any updates to the route due to diversions. An updated gpx will also be provided on this page. You can download the latest version of the route further down this page.
The event is licensed by the Trail Running Association (https://tra-uk.org/) and held under UK Athletics Rules.
Entrants must be at least 20 years old at the time of the race (Rule T3 (141) S5 UKA Trail Running).
Entrants must be in good health at the time of the race.
Entrants must have successfully completed an event of at least a marathon distance prior to race day. This must be an organised event under race conditions and can be for an event not yet taken place but that will be successfully completed prior to race day. Solo runs / training runs etc are not acceptable.
UKA Affiliated Club members and Trail Running Associalion members obtain a £2 discount off race entries. Please enter the name of your affiliated UKA Club during registration or confirm that you are a Trail Running Association member and the entry fee will be reduced upon checkout.
Please ensure you read all the details on this page and that you meet the entry criteria before entering.
Start & Finish Venue
Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Athletics Track, Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9LB.
Friday 27th February 2026 At Start Venue
5.30pm – 9.00pm – Race Registration: Bib Number Collection Only.
If you collect your bib number on Friday evening, you will still need to return during the times below on Saturday to collect your Race Tracker. The Race Tracker device is part of your mandatory kit – if you do not collect this, you will not be permitted to race.
Saturday 28th February 2026 At Start Venue
4:15am – 5:30am – Race Registration: Bib Number Collection & GB Race Tracker Collection
6.00am Race Start – Mass Start
If you arrive after 5:30am on Saturday morning, you will only be able to register, leave your dropbag(s) and collect your bib number & tracker AFTER the race has started. No additional time will be given for checkpoint cutoffs.
Please note that as this is a sports facility dogs (except service dogs) are NOT permitted at the start/finish venue.
With the exception of Checkpoint 1 which is a ‘water only’ checkpoint, each checkpoint will provide refreshments including cola, tailwind, water and juice as well as a variety of sandwiches, salted potatoes, fruit, snacks, crisps and biscuits. Vegan and vegetarian options will be available. We’ll also have a Medic, First Responder or a 1st aider available.
Cut-Off times per Checkpoint – These conditions include the length of time taken to complete sections of the course and they are implemented by the Event Organisers, GB Ultras, to ensure safe and proper running of the event.
START – Event HQ & Registration:
Ellesmere Port Sports Village (EPSV) Athletics Track, Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9LB.
CHECKPOINT 1 – 4 Miles
WATER ONLY
NO SUPPORTERS / CREWS PERMITTED
Shropshire Canal, Picton Lane, Stoak, CH2 4HL. SJ42335 72987
Cut Off at CP1: 07:11 Saturday
CHECKPOINT 2 – 8.7 Miles
Tower Rd/Raymond St, Chester, CH1 4EL. SJ 40065 66580.
Cut Off at CP2: 8:54 Saturday
CHECKPOINT 3 – 13 Miles
Waverton Village Hall, Common Lane, Waverton, CH3 7QT. SJ 45473 64054.
Cut Off at CP3: 10:14 Saturday
CHECKPOINT 4 – 20 Miles.
NO SUPPORTERS / CREWS PERMITTED
Sandstone Trail, Crib Lane, Tarporley, CW6 9DQ. SJ54053 61380.
Cut Off at CP4: 12:40 Saturday
CHECKPOINT 5 – 27.5 Miles.
Barnsbridge Car Park, Delamere Forest, Ashton Road, WA6 6US. SJ 54172 71588.
Cut Off at CP5: 15:00 Saturday
CHECKPOINT 6 – 34 Miles.
NO SUPPORTERS / CREWS PERMITTED
Frodsham, Near Middle Walk, WA6 6BW. SJ 51915 77108.
Cut Off at CP6: 17:20 Saturday
CHECKPOINT 7 – 38 Miles.
NO SUPPORTERS / CREWS PERMITTED
Alvanley Village Hall, Church Way, Alvanley, Frodsham WA6 9BZ
Cut Off at CP7: 19:20 Saturday
FINISH – Event HQ:
Ellesmere Port Sports Village (EPSV) Athletics Track, Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9LB.
There is a 17 hour cut off time for the event – 23:00 Saturday.
NO SUPPORT CREW ACCESS
Due to parking limitations, Supporters and Crews are NOT permitted as stated above at Checkpoint 1 (Stoak) Checkpoint 4 (Crib Lane), Checkpoint 6 (Frodsham) and Checkpoint 7 (Alvanley). These locations are strictly event team only. Please do not travel to these locations to avoid causing issues for local residents and congestion on the roads leading to the locations.
Please ensure your support crews are made aware of this restriction to avoid your disqualification from the event.
Dogs (except service dogs) are not permitted at any of the checkpoints or at the start/finish venue.
No dropbags are permitted at this event.
Participants must carry any items they wish to run with (in addition to the items on the mandatory kit list) at all times.
As we will be sharing the venue with others users of the venue, there is no facility to leave a bag at the start/finish venue.
Mandatory kit MUST be carried during the race.
Failure to carry mandatory kit will result in a participant being disqualified.
Random kit checks will be conducted at race registration, during the race and at the finish line will take place.
Mandatory Kit
Waterproof coat with sealed seams, i.e. Goretex – Min 10,000mm,
Long Sleeved Base layer (separate from start kit in a dry bag in case of emergency),
Water bottle or bladder -min 1 litre capacity,
Fully charged mobile phone (with Race HQ numbers) in waterproof covering/bag,
Foil blanket,
Headtorch (Minimum 75 Lumens),
Secondary Headtorch (not mobile phone),
Whistle.
Recommended Kit
Electrolytes – S-Caps,
Emergency Rations.
Please be aware GB Ultras Races are cupless! You can buy a GB Ultras reusable cup CLICK HERE to visit the shop.
GB Ultras Merchandise
We’ll have a range of our GB Ultras branded merchandise available at both race registration and at the finish. If you want to see what’s available now, head over to the GB Ultras Shop here.
- Baselayers
- Casual wear
- Drybags
- Enamel cups
- Hoodies
- Running vests
- Soft cups
- Technical t-shirts
- Visors, caps and beanies
Optional Finisher T-shirt
If you’ve pre-ordered your optional finisher t-shirt, you’ll be able to collect this during race registration on either day, or after you finish the race. To make sure yours is waiting for you to collect, you can order it here if didn’t order one when you entered the race.
Availability is limited and finisher t-shirts won’t be available on the day to purchase!
No Pacers or Support Runners are permitted. Participants found to be running with another person who is not entered in the race will be disqualified.
PARKING / DROP-OFF
There is limited parking within a dedicated area at Ellesmere Port Sports Village. Allocated spaces can be obtained here from 08:00 on 19th February 2026. Further details will be provided in your race instructions which will be emailed ahead of race day.
Once all allocated spaces have been taken, you must park in one of the alternative car parking locations close to the Start Venue which will be provided in your race instructions. You can also find parking locations close to the event start/finish venue via YourParkingSpace.
Participants can also be dropped off at a designated drop-off area close to Race HQ. Drop-off passes can be obtained here from 08:00 on 19th February 2026. Further details will be provided in your race instructions which will be emailed ahead of race day.
Upon arrival at the car park please respect decisions of Car Park stewards who will be directing people to the parking and drop-off zones.
Please also consider car sharing with friends for the event.
No overnight parking is permitted at the event start/finish on Friday or Saturday night. Vehicles must leave the car park after the participant has completed the race.
The car park has height restriction barriers of 2 metres. We do not have access to lift these barriers.
The car park will be open from 04:15 on Race Day – please DO NOT arrive before this time to avoid causing congestion on the roads leading to the venue.
TRANSPORT
We would strongly advise participants to make transport arrangements prior to Race Day and ask runners to rest prior to making any long journey due to exhaustion and the increased risk of an incident.
Local taxi companies: King Kabs Ellesmere Port on 0151 355 1122 or Chester on 01244 343434 and Chester Taxi Service on 01244 421024.
Local train station: Ellesmere Port Train Station, Europa Way, CH65 4AR.
Book via https://www.thetrainline.com/stations/chester with regular trains all over the UK.
Please note: a taxi from Ellesmere Port Train Station to the Sports Village (approx 2.2 miles) takes around 7 minutes.
ACCOMMODATION
There are a number of hotels and Bed & Breakfasts in the area. Book early to avoid disappointment.
We’ll be posting the links to the official media team photographs here after the race has finished. Please keep checking back to find yours.
Processing and editing the photographs does take some time so please allow 48-72 after conclusion of the race for the links to be added.
We’ll also be adding photographs taken by the event team on our Chester Ultra Facebook page and in the GB Ultras Community Facebook Group as well!
2025 Event Photographs
GB Ultras Event Team Friday Registration & Start Line
Ridgeline Media – Start Line, on the course and Finish Line
David Murch @ Mick Hall Photos: Race Start and on the course
Neil Shearer: Start Line : Checkpoint 2 : Grestys Waste : Frodsham Hill : Checkpoint 7
Paul Harrington – in progress
Tosh Simpkin Album 1 : Album 2 : Album 3 : Album 4 : Album 5
Dan Bentley Photography. Black & White Finish Line Headshots
2026 Event Photographs
Links to the media team albums will be added here shortly after conclusion of the race.
The results for the 2026 Chester Ultra will be available real-time during the event via the ‘2026 Results’ link above.
As each runner crosses the finish line, their race chip records their individual finishing position and finishing time.
Your position and time shown in the results link is your official result. The results are initially provisional and will be finalised within 48 hours of the conclusion of the race to update any omissions and for the adjustment of time penalties and disqualifications.
Please note that the tracking system is different to the timing system and has no bearing on your chip time or result.
Although largely a trail event, due to the nature of the event, there are inevitably some road crossings where it will be necessary to slow and possibly stop. No roads are closed en route. Particular attention should be given at these points.
As always, if you see a runner experiencing difficulties please inform Checkpoint Marshals. Each runner should have the Race Organiser’s mobile number. Our team will always endeavour to reach any participant in difficulty but due to inaccessibility of the Trail this can take time.
The trail runs close by to water courses like the River Dee and Shropshire Canal – care should be taken at these areas, particularly given the time of the year of the event.
Conditions might well be muddy and icy, be careful and mindful, of uneven and slippery terrain, falling branches, some overgrowth, stiles to negotiate and close to the stiles, barbed wire. There might also be some danger presented by steep drops, close to cliff edges at Helsby & Frodsham Hill (runners aren’t beside the cliff). Watch your footing. Also be mindful and respectful of other users of the trail, giving priority to others.
**DUE TO LIMITED PARKING AT CHECKPOINT LOCATIONS AND THE START/FINISH VENUE, A SINGLE VEHICLE PER RUNNER IS PERMITTED. SUPPORTERS MUST NOT ARRIVE AT CHECKPOINTS ANY EARLIER THAN 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE EXPECTED TIME OF THEIR RUNNER**
Please note, due to parking limitations, Supporters (including Crews / Friends & Family) are not permitted to travel to the following locations:
Checkpoint 1 (Stoak)
Checkpoint 4 (Crib Lane)
Checkpoint 6 (Frodsham)
Checkpoint 7 (Alvanley)
Please also do not park directly at Checkpoint 2 and use the pay and display car park detailed in the ‘Checkpoints’ section above.
Supporters risk disqualification of their runner if they are present at any of the above locations where we have stated they are not permitted to travel to. Your race instructions will include a specific section on Supporters and will provide further details.
At other checkpoint locations, no more than two Supporters per participant are permitted at a checkpoint at any one time. These must not impede the Event team nor other runners.
Supporters must not take the food nor drink from the checkpoint except for their runner unless given permission to do so.
Supporters must take their rubbish with them – they are not permitted to leave rubbish at checkpoints.
Supporters must respect instructions given by Event Staff. Failure to do so will result in them being asked to leave the checkpoint and possible time implications or disqualification of the runner.
Dogs (except service dogs) are not permitted at any of the checkpoints or at the start/finish venue.
Additional Supporter Access Points you might find helpful, nearby to where runners cross.
8 Miles – Please do not park at CP2 as there is no parking available. Please use local Pay & Display parking at Saddlery Way Car Park, 5 Saddlery Way, Chester, CH1 4LZ a short walk away.
12.9 Miles – Checkpoint 3 – Waverton Village Hall or beside the canal on Eggbridge Lane.
19 Miles – Shady Oak Restaurant, Bate’s Mill Lane, Tarporley, CW6 9UE – Runners pass along the canal.
26 Miles – Gresty’s Waste Car Park, Chester Road, Delamere, Tarporley, CW6 0SP – Please note this is a very busy road crossing for runners here so please avoid distracting runners as they cross and preferably support at the checkpoint nearby.
28 Miles – Checkpoint 5 – Delamere Forest.
38 Miles – The White Lion, Manley Road, Frodsham, WA6 9DD. Runners pass close by along the North Cheshire Way (a short walk away).
In the lead up to the Race, GB Ultras Running Club organise training runs covering the entire route section by section to help build confidence and prepare runners for the upcoming 50 Mile Race.
Full details of the training runs for this event can be found here.
Full details of the terms and conditions of entry can be found here. A summary of the withdrawal and refund policy is provided below.
Withdrawal before the race
Due to the nature of the event, costs are incurred as soon as a participant signs up, no refunds are possible in this event.
However, GB Ultras understand injuries do occur so would URGE ALL RUNNERS to take out DOGTAG PERSONAL MEDICAL COVER or BMC Personal Cover to help claim back the entry fee (due to injury) and thus following the insurance companies process. Please be aware that the Insurance Company determines whether the nature of your injury will necessitate a refund.
Deferrals
Deferrals or changes to another event must be requested 8 weeks prior to race date. Any deferral requests made after this cannot be actioned due to event costs incurred. There is an admin fee payable for transfer of the race place which can be paid here. Once received, we will action your request and send confirmation of your place in your new event. If this doesn’t land in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folder.
Please note that a place can only be deferred a single time. Once a place has been deferred, it cannot be deferred again. (unless due to pregnancy – please see GB Ultras Pregnancy Deferral Policy below).
Pregnancy Deferral
- Women who have entered a GB Ultras event and are, or become, pregnant prior to race day can defer entry for up to two years.
- Women who fall pregnant again during the deferral period may request another deferral for up to an additional two years.
- Partners are also able to defer for one year if the birth is imminent.
- To defer please email events@gbultras.com with the medical certificate/medical confirmation of the pregnancy/birth.
- All other rules and requirements for race entry will apply.
Transfers to another runner
Can I transfer my place to someone else?
If you wish to transfer your entry to another person, please ensure that the person you are transferring to fulfils the entry criteria for the event. Replacement runners who do not meet the qualification criteria detailed above will not be permitted to take your place.
You may post in the GB Ultras Community that you are no longer able to take part in the race and that your place is available for transfer.
Transfers to another person must be requested 3 weeks prior to race date. Any transfer requests made after this cannot be actioned. There is an admin fee payable prior to transferring your place which can be paid here.
When making the admin fee payment, please ensure you enter the full name and email address of the replacement participant in the ‘Order Notes’ field.
I’m not entered into the race – where can I find places that are available for transfer?
If you meet the qualification criteria for the event (see above) and want to take up a place from an existing runner, please head over to the GB Ultras Community Group on Facebook where you will be able to search for any places that become available prior to the deadline.
Withdrawal during the race
Please inform a GB Ultras Race Marshal at one of the Checkpoint’s or Race HQ. This will ensure all participants who are registered and pull out of the race are accounted for, allowing for the accurate and safe running of the event. If a participant withdraws at a Checkpoint they must hand over their Race Number & GPS Tracker to the Event team to signal their retirement. Marshals will inform the race organiser and each of the remaining Checkpoints can update their event documentation.
Upon withdrawal from the race, it is the responsibility of the individual to get themselves home (or to the finish if required to collect their dropbag). We would recommend having your own Support Crew or someone on standby to collect you in case of unexpected withdrawal during the event.
Where possible, runners withdrawing from the race may be able to be transported by GB Ultras event support from a checkpoint back to Race HQ however this cannot be guaranteed. Priority will be given to runners still participating in the race.
Where it is possible to transport a runner to the finish, this will only be available after a checkpoint closes and therefore may involve a significant wait. In addition, as event teams are deployed to multiple checkpoint locations, transport to Race HQ may involve intermediate stops on route for further (potentially lengthy) periods of time before heading to Race HQ.
GB Ultras also reserve the right to pull any participant out of the race on health grounds.
Chester Ultra 50 Race Brief
Chester Ultra 50 Mandatory Kit
The Route
Chester Ultra® 50 mile has a fantastic mix of trailrunning, with the race intially joining canal towpath before heading through the ancient woodland of Delamere Forest and the natural beautiful landscape of the Sandstone Trail to Frodsham and Helsby Hill. Benefits from 7 Checkpoints and straightforward navigation on a well-marked route..
Part Of The 50 Mile Grand Slam
Take on 5 of our 50 Mile Ultra Marathons for the Slam Medal or take on all 8 50 Mile Ultra Marathons for the Grand Slam & get in to the Hall of Fame.
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