Dame Denise Lewis to start 2025 MBNA Chester Marathon
Olympic gold medallist Dame Denise Lewis DBE will start the 2025 MBNA Chester Marathon, as record entries make this year’s event the biggest in its 16-year history.
The race takes place today, Sunday 5 October, with 10,000 runners expected to take part in the full and metric marathons, and around 1,000 families and young runners joining the Mini Marathon.
Co-sponsors Visa and MBNA have secured the heptathlon champion to fire the starting pistol and officially launch this year’s race, which will raise vital funds for headline charity Claire House Children’s Hospice.
Dame Denise Lewis DBE is one of Britain’s most celebrated athletes, best known for winning gold in the heptathlon at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. She has since become a respected broadcaster and advocate for youth development and inclusion in sport.
Denise said: “Sport has such a unique power to bring people together, build resilience and strengthen communities. That’s why I’m so proud to support all the participants, race organisers, Active Leisure, Visa and MBNA at the MBNA Chester Marathon this year.
“I’m especially passionate about encouraging young people to discover the fun and friendship of sport, because that’s where confidence, ambition and lifelong wellbeing are built. I can’t wait to see thousands of runners take to the streets, and achieve something amazing for themselves and for the causes they care about.”
Victoria Dowd, Community Investment Partnership Manager at MBNA, said: “We are so proud to see the MBNA Chester Marathon and Metric Marathon continue to thrive, and to welcome Visa with us to help grow the event even bigger this year is fantastic.
“Having Denise Lewis join us to start the race makes it even more special this year. She is an inspiring ambassador for sport, wellbeing and inclusion, and her leadership in athletics is helping to empower the next generation to reach their potential.”
Diane Ayres, Client Director at Visa, said: “Visa are delighted to team up with MBNA to support the Chester Marathon, an event that brings energy, community, and determination to the streets of Chester. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting local initiatives that inspire movement, both physically and financially – while empowering individuals to go further, together.”
Race organiser Chris Hulse, of Active Leisure Events Ltd, added: “Entries for this year’s MBNA Chester Marathon have surpassed all previous records, with 10,000 runners across the full and metric marathons, plus around 1,000 families and young aspiring runners in the Mini Marathon.
“We’re proud to be supporting our headline race charity, Claire House Children’s Hospice, this year. They do incredible work for children and families across our region. The event raised over £1.1m for charity in 2024, and with the buzz around the event being bigger than ever, we’re on track to see our runners surpass this figure.”
Thousands of supporters are expected to line the streets of Chester and the surrounding countryside on race day to cheer on participants, with organisers promising a “memorable experience for both runners and spectators.”
For more information, visit: www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/marathon
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