Chester 100, that’s my first race of the season completed. And which will hopefully be leg 1 of 4 of my GB Ultras 100-mile Grand Slam 2025 attempt.
After completing this race twice before, in 2022 and 2024 I knew just what to expect and knew when and where I could improve. But, at the end of the day this is 100 miles and absolutely anything can happen!
My goal for this year was to knock approx. 2 hours off from my previous personal best for this course (24hrs 12mins) and finish strong and obviously injury free. So, with the race starting at 6am Saturday morning, my race plan had an estimated finish time of 4:14am Sunday morning.
My training went well, starting in January, I had a 12-week training block, split into 4-week cycles. Each with progressive mileage, long runs, strength training, hills, speed and generally a load of time on feet and including Active Recovery. Some of the long runs included much more elevation than was needed for this race, especially in the final cycle. Mainly with an eye on future races this year, but as well as to build the endurance and strength in the legs to keep them strong later in the race.
The Chester 100 ultramarathon starts and finishes at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village. I would describe the route as a big loop with some out and back sections and the terrain is generally packed trails, tow path, bridleways and little elevation. The terrain will massively change depending on the weather, recent to race day.
After setting off from the EPSV track, the route exits the car park and takes the roads to the Shropshire Union canal. You follow the canal into Chester before completing an out and back around Chester racecourse. After returning to Chester, you again pick up the Shropshire Union canal through Waverton to Beeston and complete another out and back to Peckforton. You then follow the Sandstone Trail through Delamere Forrest and onto Frodsham. From Frodsham you follow the River Weaver to the Trent & Mersey canal which takes you into Preston Brook.
The route then follows the Bridgewater canal to Stockton Heath, before picking up the TransPennine Trail to Spike Island in Widnes. From there you cross the River Mersey via the old Runcorn bridge and again pick up the Bridgewater canal which takes you back to Preston Brook before retracing itself back to Frodsham. Frodsham forest is next before Helsby Hill then into Alvenley before picking up the A56 to the Gowy fields. Finaly the route crosses the M56 and picks up the Shropshire Union canal back into Ellesmere Port before finishing off with the famous “lap around the track”.
For this year’s event I had my trusty race crew with me, Dave H. Race plan and timings discussed and finalised. Kit checked and re-checked. Supplies plentiful. Standard. As usual the pre-race nerves settle in a day or two before, questioning myself if training had been good enough? Have I recovered properly? Is that another injury creeping in? Have I got everything I need? I wonder what if… and so on. So, the night previous, not much sleep was had. 3 alarms set, just in case. But not needed, awake already at 3:45am I got up, dressed and prepared breakfast and coffee. Got myself hydrated and the usual 10-minute morning stretching routine. Loaded the car at 4:45am and we were off.
We arrived at the EPSV for registration at 5:15am. The registration process is swift, but make sure to give yourself enough time based on the number of competitors for the race. Race bib collected and tracker attached to my pack. No mandatory kit checks for me this time but be aware you could be selected for a spot check at any stage on race day. Any missing mandatory kit could result in a severe time penalty or even disqualification!
We gathered at the start line for the obligatory pre-race photos by the excellent media teams. Had a good catch up with other competitors and friends from the GB Ultras community, chatting about race goals and expectations for the day.
The field was the biggest it had been to date, with over 300 runners entered. The weather was forecast to be the best it had been on previous years, but for now it was chilly. A countdown from 10. A cheer from the runners and spectators. Garmin started and we were off.
I started off at an easy pace, the plan was to go steady and adjust pace on feel. Rather than working to splits this year, I allocated a time window to reach each checkpoint. I ended up at a similar pace to Caroline H whom I had met at the race recces some months prior. Caroline would end up completing her first 100 miler as 2nd place female and I would end up running a large portion of the race with her. Hat off to an incredible race Caroline, well done.
We chatted through the early miles and time flew, before we knew it we breezed through Checkpoint 1 in Chester, just under 9 miles into the race in no time at all. We then ticked off the short out and back into Chester in the same fashion and back into Checkpoint 2 for a refill of fluids and some snacks.
13 miles done; we carried on to Waverton. Here I met my crew for the first time, making a swift stop for a toilet break, applied the factor 50 and got some proper food down me. I was 1hr 20mins ahead of my target at this point, only 17 miles in. I started to think I had gone too fast out again, but I felt good and strong and knew it would get slower later so time in the bank was a good thing.
I left Checkpoint 3 on my own, finishing my food off as I went. Caroline had pushed on ahead of me. Normally this part of the course can get a little muddy and slippy under foot, but with the dry weather in recent weeks it was bone dry. People were even in Vapourflys!
I hate the route between Checkpoint 3 & 4. The monotony of the tow path for miles after already a few hours of running is hard on the mind. So, I got my head down, into my zone and in a comfortable pace. Soon enough I reached the lock which marked the turn off to Beeston Castle. Now off the tow path I was enjoying the race again and picked up the pace, even still running the up hills, which wasn’t in the plan at the start.
Soon enough I caught up to Caroline, who told me she had struggled a little on that section. We continued together towards Checkpoint 4, exchanging pleasantries with the few people ahead of us already through the Checkpoint and on their way back out, Machines! Checkpoint 4 reached, 27 miles in and 1hr 40mins ahead of time. Still feeling strong, I filled up the fluids, picked up another bottle of water, with it getting much hotter and the risk of dehydrating a real risk and picked up a bacon butty from Dave. The climb out of Checkpoint 4 is aggressive so I hiked it and got as much food down me as I could.
It was now time for the Sandstone Trail, which is one of my favourite sections of the course. Even more so this year due to the firmer ground which made for more runnable sections. Be warned though, this will be very different each year. I’ve witnessed sections of standing water and boggy mud in previous years, so plan for the worse.
Checkpoint 5 is at the Car Park in Delamere Forest. 40 miles in now and still 1hr 20 mins ahead of my plan. The little time lost from my time in the bank over this section was more than likely down to a slightly slower pace due to the clear skies and direct sun sapping my energy. The third bottle I collected was a life saver, a lesson learnt from previous years!
Now on route to Checkpoint 6 in Frodsham the terrain is much the same but a little more covered at times. Pace continued to be a little slower but still good enough to hit my target. I arrived at Checkpoint 6, 47 miles in, around 1hr 10mins ahead of my target, in the hottest part of the day. Same protocol. A swift stop to refuel, rehydrate and refill supplies before moving swiftly on.
The course now followed the banks of the River Dee, a little technical in places, some fallen trees to contend with, styles to jump and cows to dodge. A quick hello to the campers having a BBQ at the camp site you pass through and under the rail arches before crossing the locks. A steady climb up to the Trent & Mersey canal meant a short hike and a good time to check in with the family and get some food down me.
Checkpoint 7 in Preston Brook, 56 miles in, reached and still 1hr 10mins ahead of my plan and still feeling strong with zero niggles. Now it was time for some real food as I had some cheese on toast and a sweet coffee from the superb volunteers on hand to support us. The refuel set me up for the flat run to Checkpoint 8.
Along the Bridgwater canal to Stockton Heath the terrain was compact tow paths and flat. Still ahead of time and the legs feeling strong, the pace was still good. I reached Checkpoint 8 in Stockton Heath, 62 miles in, 1hr 15mins ahead of time and was delighted to be greeted by my running club, ATLAS Runners! A brief hello, they cheered me on whilst enjoying a drink or two in the afternoon sun. Further down the road my family were out in force, so I stopped for a brief chat and check in with them all to let them know how the day was going and when I was expecting to be done.
The course was still flat through this section, mainly tarmac and compact trails so I got my head down and pushed on with the target of reaching Spike Island before dark.
I arrived at Checkpoint 9 at Spike Island, 69 miles in and still over 1hr ahead of my target and before dark. My crew had a hot meal ready for me, this time tender Pork with Noodles and I was met again by my family which was another pleasant surprise giving me a much-welcomed pick-me-up just in time for the night shift.
I changed my clothes, added a layer, put on the head lamp and gloves and restocked my supplies. This was a major milestone achieved in my race plan now. A complete switch in mindset to a totally different race in the dark. I pushed on back to Preston Brook.
Another flat part of the course, except for the old Runcorn bridge, the 7 miles went by quickly as I was now just focussed on my own little globe of light in front of me. I reached Checkpoint 10, Preston Brook for the second time still 1hr ahead of time and now 76 miles in. The Checkpoint was busier this time as runners on their first visit were refuelling and it was good to catch up with others whilst getting some more Cheese on toast and coffee down me in preparation for the next section back to Frodsham.
The route back to Frodsham follows the route out so it was a case of retracing my steps but this time in the dark, which is a lot more difficult than it sounds. Fortunately, the only issues encountered were the fields of cows, now standing and sitting around the styles and gates we had to go through. They stare you down as you approach and decide to move at the last moment before circling in behind you. It’s safe to say I picked up the pace through these sections, not knowing if there was a bull amongst them or not. I wasn’t sticking around to find out.
This was a tough section; I lost a bit of time from the bank here but expected it. The route is a little technical and sketchy in places as you follow the bank of the River Dee. Made harder in the dark and not wanting to take a late-night swim, I took my time to navigate it safely. I reached Frodsham, Checkpoint 11, 85 miles in now only 10 mins ahead of my target and struggling with severely tight hip flexors.
I took my time to stretch them out and tried to release them a little with the massage gun. Solid food was no longer on the menu, so protein shakes and yazzo was keeping me fuelled. Managed to get a coffee down and set off for Helsby hill.
It’s a steady climb for 10 mins or so to the entrance of Frodsham forest, so I hiked it which got the heart rate lifted and feeling warm again in the cold dead of night. I don’t expect many people ran this section to be honest. As I reached the forest, I was feeling good and on the cusp of another high, so I made the most of it and pushed on with some good pace passing a number of others. The climb up Helsby Hill was steep and tricky, but I dealt with it easily before touching the trigg and straight down the other side.
Don’t miss the near 180 degree cut back halfway down Helsby Hill! Easily missed for some in the dark. The remainder of the route to Alvenley was mainly fields. I made one or two navigational issues, but nothing as serious as previous years. I reached Checkpoint 12 in Alvenley, 90 miles in, bang on my target plan. This is the first time I’d ever been on target with my race plan this late in a race, especially a 100 miler. This alone kept me on the high I was on and I only made a brief stop.
Homeward bound. The final 12 miles to the finish. This part of the course was largely road, following the A56 back towards Chester before the usually dreaded Gowy fields. I maintained a steady but slow pace but at least I was still jogging or shuffling along until I reached the Gowy fields. Thank you to the ultra-running gods! This year the fields would be the best I had seen them. Usually, a section of the course that causes runners issues, I had navigated it earlier in the year in the organised recce, albeit covered in snow! The organised recce days I recommend highly if you want to be sure on race day.
Anyway, I remembered the key cross overs and turns, so there were no issues for me this year as I moved swiftly over the fields before noticing 2 head torches coming towards me. This turned out to be 2 runners who had missed the all-important crossing over the water and were retracing their steps. We had a brief chat, checking in with each other and I pointed them in the right direction, and they followed in behind me.
My watch ticked over the 100-mile mark at 21hrs 40mins. A new PB for the distance for me and certainly would mean a new PB for the course, right? I may have passed the 100-mile distance, but I knew I still had 4 miles to go! This year I was prepared for this and built it into my race plan. The first year I completed this race, this caught me out. I had 100 miles in the head so when I hit it and could not see the finish line in sight my head dropped and I literally dragged myself to the finish feeling sorry for myself, the most painful 4 miles ever!
This year was a different story, I crossed the M56 and joined the canal, I knew I had about 3.5km to run on here so I took it steady and counted to 100 in my head before looking at the remaining distance, I repeated this mind game until I could see the exit bridge I needed to take. I left the canal and crossed the bridge and heard a shout of encouragement and a clap of the hands. A solo supporter was standing there on his own cheering me on. “Not long now mate, well done”. I wasn’t sure if I was hallucinating or not. “Cheers mate, I’ve had enough now”, I replied anyway as I ran towards the road. I took a brief look back and couldn’t see anyone, maybe I was hallucinating? I’ve had stranger encounters.
The roads through Ellesmere port were very quiet. Nobody around. The birds were starting to wake up, so I knew it was touch and go for hitting my target time. I reached the Ellesmere Port Sports Village and entered the car park. Dave jumped out of his car and ran with me through to the track entrance to be greeted to a round of applause. The event support is amazing, the early hours of the morning and there’s supporters and GB ultras event team here to clap me in! Legends.
I was greeted by the infamous “just the lap of the track to go”. This greeting in the past was painful, seeing the finish line right there and having to run around the track to finish this race. Now it was a lap of honour, something I embrace. It gives you the briefest of moments alone in your thoughts to put together what has just happened and try to make sense of it all. 100 miles on foot is mental. If you get to this point, you will know just what I mean. Emotions are always high.
I crossed the finish line at 4:36am. Covering 104 miles in the official time of 22hrs 36mins. And a new personal best for this race by over 1hr 40mins. The training and sacrifice had paid off. I felt I had put a lot into this race and still finished feeling strong. And more importantly, injury free.
The stats
Total Distance: 104 miles / 167kms
Total Time: 22:36:15
Total Elevation Gain: 1,549m / 5,082ft
Final Place: 19th Overall / 18th Male / 6th in Age group
Calories Burned: 13,279cals
Avg. HR: 136bpm
Avg. Pace: 8:08/km Are you thinking of taking on this race? Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. Race entries for the 2026 event go on sale at 6pm Friday 11th April 2025 on the GB Ultras website. Enjoy!
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