A massive well done to Andy Millward, who completed the MBNA Chester Marathon on Sunday 11 October 2026. Laura was there to cheer him on, and the pair also made time for some parkrun tourism in Chester on Saturday. It was a weekend that brought together a new place to run, a familiar Saturday activity and Andy’s 26.2-mile challenge.
A marathon through Chester and across the border
Chester gave Andy a distinctive setting for his marathon. According to the organiser’s marathon route, runners set off from Chester Racecourse and pass landmarks including the Cathedral and Eastgate Clock before heading out of the city. The course continues through the Cheshire countryside, crosses into Wales and eventually returns to Chester beside the River Dee. It is a route that takes in considerably more than the city named on the race bib.
Andy completed the full marathon, rather than the metric-marathon distance also held as part of the event. That distinction matters: the full race is 26.2 miles, with the journey into Wales forming part of its course. The route’s mix of city streets and country lanes also gives supporters different ways to follow the day, even though each runner ultimately has to cover those miles for themselves. Finishing that distance is an achievement worth celebrating, and all of us at Carn Runners send Andy a huge well done.
Laura brings the cheers
Laura was Andy’s cheering squad in Chester. The event’s spectator information describes opportunities to support runners in the city and at points farther along the course. Wherever Laura caught the action, we know Andy had someone there cheering him on. Race weekends are not only about the person wearing the number: the people who come along to support them are part of the story too.
That makes this a congratulations to Laura as well. Travelling for a race can give supporters their own long day, organised around a runner’s start and finish. We will leave the details of their day to Andy and Laura, but we can certainly appreciate the encouragement Laura brought to the occasion.
Parkrun tourism on Saturday
Before Sunday’s marathon, Andy and Laura enjoyed some parkrun tourism in Chester on Saturday 10 October. It added another running-community stop to their trip without turning the weekend into two races. We have not named a particular parkrun here: the lovely part of the news is that they found room for a Saturday parkrun outing alongside the main event.
Members who enjoy seeing where Carnies turn up on their travels might also like the Webbs’ parkrun alphabet adventure. Andy and Laura’s Chester visit was their own weekend away, not a club-organised trip, but it is another chance for us to share what members have been up to beyond Cornwall.
Two days, two very different parts of the running weekend: a Saturday parkrun visit together and a Sunday marathon finish for Andy, with Laura cheering him on. Congratulations, Andy — and well done to Laura for the support!
