Chester Ultra 50

Event overview

The Chester Ultra 50 is a 50-mile trail ultra held on Saturday 28 February 2026 in the Chester area. The route records 849 m of ascent and has a field limit of 500 places. The event is organised by GB Ultras under UKA and Trail Running Association permit and offers ITRA and UTMB mountain performance index points (allocation tbc). The event has a 17-hour overall cut-off and the 2026 edition is marked as sold out.

Course, checkpoints and logistics

The start and finish are at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port. The well-marked route links the North Cheshire Way and the Sandstone Trail and passes Helsby Hill, Delamere Forest and Frodsham. Live online GPS tracking is used and a race GPS tracker is mandatory; trackers must be returned or a replacement charge applies.

There are seven checkpoints. Checkpoint 1 (4 miles) is water only and has no support crew access. Checkpoints 4, 6 and 7 also have no support crew access. Most other checkpoints provide drinks, food items and first aid cover.

Key rules and requirements include a minimum age of 20, completion of an organised marathon prior to the event, no pacers or support runners, and no dropbags. Mandatory kit must be carried during the race and includes a waterproof coat, long-sleeved spare layer, minimum 1 litre water container, fully charged mobile phone, foil blanket, headtorch plus a secondary headtorch and a whistle. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.