Race
Next race takes place on Sunday 19th January 2025. Entries from 1 October, via Nifty.
Course
A scenic road race through rural countryside, passing through the Cheshire villages of Dunham on the Hill, Mouldsworth, Manley, Alvanley and Helsby. Full course information here: Course page.
Where is race HQ?
Race HQ/Start line is at Helsby Community Sports Club, Callender Way, Helsby, WA6 0FX. (W3W: ///seriously.activity.hungry). Start time 10:30am.
Finishes at Hornsmill Primary School (800m walk back to start).
Race HQ will have: a bag drop, changing facilities, toilets, tea/coffee, a bar for that well-deserved (soft or alcoholic) drink at the end.
What is at the race finish?
The race finishes at Hornsmill Primary School (Denbigh Close, WA6 0ED) (W3W: ///hobbit.piano.centrally) and here you’ll get your well-earned medal and chocolate bar as you make your way through the finishers funnel.
Our friends Hornsmill Primary School will be selling hot drinks and sweet treats for spectators and finishers.
The finish area is a 5 minute walk back to Race HQ. This will be sign-posted.
Will there be toilets?
Yes! Ample toilet facilities are available at Race HQ.
What are the race details?
The Four Villages Half Marathon is a UKA affiliated race organised by Helsby Running Club. The UKA race licence number is [TBC].
What is the entry fee?
£29 for UKA affiliated runners and £31 for non-UKA affiliated runners.
To claim your UKA discount, you must have an active England Athletics membership. Entries are cross referenced with the UKA database at the time of entry. Check with your club membership secretary for any queries. Problems are often down to variations in name used, e.g. Ben vs Benjamin Smith. The race was started to raise money for local charities and good causes and this remains the case today.
Check your eligibility here: myathletics.englandathletics.org/licencecheck/
How old do I have to be to enter?
The minimum age is 17 years on race day.
Can I wear headphones?
Yes, bone conducting headphones can be worn. Make sure to keep the volume down so you can hear instructions from marshals.
Where is the best place for spectators to watch?
Spectators can cheer you on as you start – we’d recommend they stand along Chester Road to see you a few minutes after starting to cheer you on your way.
The finish area is a short walk away where your friends and family can stand on Denbigh Close to watch your sprint finish! We kindly ask spectators not to enter the finish funnel so we can give all our runners their well-deserved medal as quickly as possible.
Due to road closures, we recommend spectators stay near the start/finish area should they wish to see you finish. Refreshments and snacks will be available from Race HQ (bar and vendors) and at Horns Mill School.
Can I run with a pushchair?
As the race is a UKA affiliated race, runners taking part while running with a pushchair is not permitted.
Can I run with my dog?
Dogs are not permitted.
What happens if it’s adverse weather?
We do everything we can to put the race on safely – gritters will be on standby the day before to grit the course if there’s a risk of ice. In the unlikely event we do need to cancel, no refund will be available.
Please bear in mind this is a winter race, so dress appropriately for the weather. Any spare clothes you were wearing as an extra layer prior to starting will be collected and donated to charity.
Where can I park?
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.
Are there changing rooms?
Yes, changing rooms and showers are available at Race HQ.
Is there a bag drop?
Yes, a bag drop is located at Race HQ. This will be open from 9am and will close just before the start of the race. Make sure to drop your bag of with plenty of time to get to the start line.
When do entries close?
Entries will open on 1 October and will close 24 hours before the race or when full. Last year we sold out so make sure to enter early!
Will I receive an entry confirmation?
Yes, as soon as you enter via nifty. Further race details closer to the event will be sent by email so please make sure you enter your email address correctly. Please check your junk/spam email if you don’t see the email. Entries will also appear on the start list found on the Nifty website.
I can no longer run. Can I transfer my place?
Yes, transfers are permitted up to 24 hours before the race. You can also cancel your place up until 24 hours before the race.
Transfer of the race number/chip must be handled between the two runners if transfers are made after race packs have been posted.
What is my race number does not arrive on time?
Don’t worry! If your race number doesn’t arrive on time, then a number can be collected at Race HQ from 9am on race day.
Can I volunteer?
Of course! We aren’t able to put on such a great event without our fabulous volunteers. Please contact 4vhm@helsbyrunningclub.org.uk.
What is the course and elevation profile?
The course takes a scenic route through rural countryside, passing through the Cheshire villages of Dunham on the Hill, Mouldsworth, Manley, Alvanley and Helsby. There is 170m of climb. Check out the course details page here.
Water stations are at miles 5, 8 and 10. Water is also available at the finish.
Where can I warm up?
The 3G pitch will be available for you to warm up.
Will I get a race time?
Yes, as our race is chip timed you’ll get a gun time (the time from the official start of the race) and a chip time (your time from crossing the starting mat to crossing the finishing mat).
Results will be available on Nifty on the day. Rapid results are also available by SMS text if you provide your mobile number on the entry form and permission for this to be sent.
Is there a cut off time?
We’re only able to close the roads for so long and with it being a January race need to act in the best interests of health and safety, so must adhere to a cut off time of 3 hours from the start of the 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 will be provided.
Are there any prizes?
All runners will receive a commemorative medal. There will be age category prizes available.
Not forgetting, a free tea or coffee from the WI at Race HQ in the tennis pavilion opposite the clubhouse!
Will there be any race photos?
Yes, free race photos will be provided by Mick Hall Photography who will be on course. Make sure to practice your poses!
What happens if I feel unwell during the race?
There will be first aid. Please let the nearest marshal know and we’ll get aid to you.
Can I buy a t-shirt?
You can buy a race t-shirt when entering the race. Pre-ordered t-shirts can be collected from Race HQ. We will have a limited number of race t-shirts available to buy on the day.
Our t-shirts are designed by local school students – the winning design will be announced in due course.
What are the road closures?
We have rolling road closures so roads are only closed for as long as they need to be. Full details will be published closer to the time, but we expect them to be along the same times as the 2024 race.
I haven’t received an email with race instructions. Where can I find these?
Race instructions will be sent out early-January 2025. They will also be posted on our website and social media.
Will there be pacers?
Our pacers have been a huge hit and will be back for the 2025 race. We’ll confirm what times we’ll have pacers for closer to the time, previously we have offered a small number of pace runners. These are the expected groups: 01:30 (6:52 per mile), 01:45 (8.01), 02:00 (9:09), 02:15 (10:18).. These are on a ‘best efforts’ basis – PBs are not guaranteed!
Can I bring my own pacer/helper on the course?
We don’t welcome unofficial pacers, especially from anyone eligible for a category prize. Anyone on the course should be a paid entrant and we reserve the right to wipe any suspicious behaviour from the results.
Guide runners are permitted – please let us know at 4vhm@helsbyrunningclub.org.uk if you will be bringing a guide runner.
Will you have training runs or recces?
We love the 4VHM course, so I’m sure there will be (unofficial) recces of the route – this is usually between Christmas and New Year. Details will be posted on our socials. As these are unofficial, these will be self-supported so please make sure you’re comfortable with the distance and the pace of the group.
I’m not local. Where can I stay?
If you’re travelling from far, there are some Airbnb’s and hotels in Helsby and Frodsham. Chester, which is approximately 8 miles away, has a large number of B&Bs and hotels.
Helsby railway station (which has connections to Chester, Liverpool and Manchester) is 1 mile away from Race HQ, but please do check your train time will get you in before race start.
I have more questions. Who can I contact?
Please email 4vhm@helsbyrunningclub.org.uk.
Records
Male 1:04:36 (Carl Warren, similar course to current), Female 1:13:08 (Marian Sutton) both 2002. These records are carried over from the current Helsby, Dunham, Mouldsworth, Manley route used in recent years, ignoring minor changes around the start, Dunham, Mouldsworth and Manley. The older ‘marshes’ record is considered separate (more here).
Race
Half Marathon under UK Athletic rules, starting and finishing in Helsby, Cheshire. Minimum age 17 on race day. Runners under 18 need parental permission. UKA licence: 2024-47124. Race limit 1500.
Timing
All competitors will be sent a race number with timing chip. These will be posted together early in the new year. The timing chip will record individual start and finish times.
How we calculate age category results
There are different ways of calculating results for age categories, we use the ‘age band or over’ principle. This means that a prize goes to the fastest runner of a particular age band or over. It rewards the older athletes who have performed better than people in age categories below them. So if a runner from an age category above beats younger runners, they are eligible for the younger prize. This is a good thing, it rewards speed.
An example (bear with me!):
- Jane Smith (age 56) takes the W50 prize even though she’s W55 – she was the fastest female age 50, or over.
- This leaves Emma Jones (age 62) eligible for the W55 prize, even though she’s over 60 and slower than Jane Smith.
- This principle cascades down the categories. So Liz Brown (age 60) takes the W60 prize, even though she was beaten by Emma Jones (62). Emma vacates the W60 prize, leaving it free for Liz!
So that’s all clear then. Most calculations are more straightforward, it only gets more involved if one or more runners are faster than their younger counterparts. Runners are eligible for a single category prize only – a fast 51 year old male could win the v40 prize, but would not also be eligible for the v45 or v50 prizes. Hope that makes sense!
Age category records
You can check the current age category records here.
Race cancellation
There is no return of entry fees on cancellation — this is a race in January and carries a risk of poor weather. If you are genuinely worried about the risk of cancellation, consider an alternative later in the year. We’d be delighted to have you and our position in the calendar is one of the reasons people come to us. A January fixture was overwhelmingly supported in a recent runner poll.
We will do our very best to avoid cancelling the event and we now run on closed roads, for your safety. Please read the refund policy on the Nifty entry website. We will be guided by our governing body and other official guidance should the worst happen with Covid or other unusual circumstances. We are a club organised event, not a commercial organisation.
Deferrals and transfers
We don’t offer any kind of deferral in the case of injury, double booking, illness or change of heart. We don’t have the resources sorry. Only larger commercial races tend to offer this. Instead we offer a generous cancellation period with partial refund until a later date. Transfers are permitted until close to the deadline without fee – any payment is between the person donating and the runner receiving the place. Transfer of the race number/chip must be handled between the two runners if transfers are made after race packs have been posted.
We need a valid email address with your entry — we need this to contact you with any changes or late information. We will not pass this on without your permission. Be careful entering your email address: if you make a mistake, you won’t hear from us.
Closing date
When full.
Entry confirmation
All entries will appear on the Start List and you should receive an email, please check your spam folders if you don’t see this. Your race number will be shown here, and will be confirmed when you receive your race pack. The start list is here.
Results
Results will be available on the Nifty Entries website on the day and linked on our own results page. Rapid results are also available by SMS text — make sure you give us your mobile on the entry form. We will not pass this on without permission.
Enquiries
Email 4vhm@helsbyrunningclub.org.uk. But please try and answer your own question — many of the queries we get are routine and answered here. You might get a quicker answer yourself.
Our other social presences
www.helsbyrunningclub.org.uk
Club Facebook group
Four Villages Facebook group
twitter.com/runhelsby
instagram.com/runhelsby
flickr.com/runhelsby
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 (below). The numbers vary once we’ve take out our race costs but last year we donated over £13,000 to good causes. Our key beneficiaries are Halton Haven Hospice and the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, both excellent causes.
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 (Essar Energy Transition), 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!