Helsby Running Club’s 41st Four Villages Half Marathon (4VHM) sponsored by EET (Essar Energy Transition). One of the only Half Marathon’s in the UK organised by a community running club for runners.
Next race day is Sunday 19 January 2025, start time 10:30am.
Entries open on 1st October, until sell out!
By a community running club. For the running community.
The 4VHM is back for 2025! We’re proud to be one of the main feature races for those training for the London and Manchester Marathons.
Please note there is a strict 3 hour cut off. This is due to road closure timings and the safety of runners/volunteers during a winter race. If you are at the 10 mile marker/clock after 2 Hours 20 Minutes from the official race start, you will be politely asked to stop and transported to Race HQ.
Award Winning Half Marathon
We are thrilled that Four Villages Half Marathon won 1st place in the Half Marathons North category of the Challenge Awards presented by Runners World and powered by Let’s Do This.
Free park & ride
Please don’t park on residential streets around Helsby, there is especially no parking at Tesco or along the main road/side streets. Parking marshals will be enforcing this along the main road and side streets throughout Helsby. We’re grateful to the local community for their support. Please note there is no runner participant parking available at Race HQ/Helsby Community Sports Club.
Our official FREE car parks with FREE complimentary coach transport to the start and back are:
- The main FREE car park is provided from our partners at EET Induction Centre (CH2 4PT – W3W:///trails.branded.cubed) Postcode isn’t fully accurate, please follow W3W or instructions here: At junction 14 M56, from the roundabout head towards Stanlow on the A5117 dual carriageway, turn right at second set of traffic lights (which is a crossroads) into Pool Lane, Induction Centre car park is on the left). There will be coaches to transport you to the start and back to the car park after the race. Toilets and a hot drinks machine are available at the EET Induction Centre car park.
- If travelling from the immediate local area, there is VERY LIMITED parking at Helsby High School (WA6 0HY). PLEASE NOTE THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE FULL BEFORE 9AM. There will be coaches to transport you to the start and back to the high school after the race.
There will be a team of parking marshals on the streets who will be able to direct you if you are unsure where to park.
Help us make this the greenest half marathon around! We love running and racing and meeting up with like-minded folk but also recognise we’re contributing in our own small way to congestion and emissions, therefore please, where possible, consider car sharing.
Race route map
There’s an updated race route map, including the new variations to the course from 2022 (new start, mile 1, 8, 10). If you know the older course and want to recce the change, the biggest change is Well Lane around mile 8.
UKA race certified and licensed. Adjusted and remeasured in 2022.
Start & Finish areas
The start and finish are in two different locations.
Start: Helsby Community Sports Club WA6 0FX (W3W: ///seriously.activity.hungry)
Finish: Hornsmill Primary School (Denbigh Close, WA6 0ED) (W3W: ///hobbit.piano.centrally)
The finish is a short 5 minute walk back to Race HQ/Start area. Spectators are able to walk through the school yard to see the finish on Denbigh Close, but access is through a narrow gate so please be patient when busy. Please follow marshal guidance in the finish area and stay off the lawns of our patient neighbours!
Pre-order to secure your technical race running tops
This year we’re running a competition with local primary schools to design the artwork for our infamous technical T-shirts – all while engaging the next generation of runners! T-shirts are collected on race day from Race HQ. If you haven’t pre-ordered, we’ll have limited stock for sale on race day.
Your email address
Please be careful adding your email to your entry — it is our primary way of contacting you with any late-breaking news. We will not pass your address on without permission. You’ll receive race information, your number and chip in the post early in the New Year. We’ll also send details about the collection of your t-shirt, if you have ordered one.
For Local Residents
We sincerely thank the local community for their support in putting on this annual event. Here is a map of the road closures and further information you may find useful:
- ROAD CLOSURE MAP TBC
For The Community – Charity Donations
As well as giving you a great race, we also support a number of local charities from the money raised and make donations to the groups that help us out.
Last year we donated over £13,000 to over a dozen good causes throughout the local area including Halton Haven Hospice and the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.
A Special Thank You
Huge thanks to our regular headline sponsor of EET (Essar Energy Transition). We’re also grateful to Mick Hall Photos, and Addhire for their most excellent van loan. Without their help this race either wouldn’t happen or would cost you a lot more!
People that make this happen:
Voluntary Groups: Helsby & Frodsham Rotary, Elton Guides, Helsby Scouts, Ashton Scouts, Beacon Explorer Scouts, Dewa Explorer Scouts, Mersey Weaver Scouts, Alvanley Cricket Club, Helsby Cycling Club, Manley pre-school, Helsby Tennis club, Marie Curie Fundraising Group, Helsby WI, Halton Haven Hospice, Camp Project Wales.
Suppliers: Nifty Events, Blue Arrow, Timewise, Spark Medical, Acton Marquees Ltd, Cestrian Loos, Runner Print, Mick Hall Photography.
Supporters: EET, Helsby Community Sports Club, Horn’s Mill School & Pre school, Helsby High School, Addhire, Beesley & Fildes, Horn’s Mill Pub, Brio, Active Leisure – Chester Marathon, Big Bobble Hat. Many thanks to the residents along the entire course for their patience and support.
If we’ve forgotten anyone – thank you!
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please check out 4VHM FAQ’s page here or alternatively contact us via email on 4VHM@helsbyrunningclub.org.uk