The organisers behind Chester's running races have announced that Claire House Children's Hospice will be the official race charity once more for 2025.

Active Leisure Events is hoping for as many runners as possible to raise £50,000 for the children's charity during their events next year, the MBNA Chester 10K, Essar Chester Half Marathon and the MBNA Chester Marathon and Metric Marathon.

Event director Callum Shields said: “We are very pleased to have Claire House join us again as our official race charity after runners raised a staggering £100,000 in 2022 and 2018 combined. We’re looking forward to supporting their efforts to provide vital care to those that need it the most next year and hopefully smashing their fundraising target!”

Claire House is the local children’s hospice for Wirral, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales and cares for babies, children, young adults and their families who are seriously or terminally ill.

'Lifeline for hundreds of families'

They are hoping to raise £50,000 next year through the partnership which could fund vital end of life and bereavement support for local children and their families.

Claire House’s event manager, Mark Pearson, said: “Claire House are delighted to be the official charity partner of the entire suite of Active Leisure events in 2025.

“Runners raise thousands every year to keep the doors to the hospice open and our expert care team out in the community 24/7 supporting seriously and terminally ill children.

"As the local children’s hospice for Chester and the surrounding area, we are excited to see so many people lace up and pound the pavements in support of a charity that is a lifeline for hundreds of families going through the toughest of times. Because of them, Claire House can be there for every child that desperately needs our care in 2025.”

To sign up for this year's Essar Chester Half Marathon on May 19; the MBNA Chester Marathon or Metric Marathon on October 6 and the MBNA Chester 10K on March 9, 2025, visit www.activeleisureevents.co.uk.