With 1,700 runners signed up, athletes took to the Cheshire country lanes on Sunday, navigating a scenic route from Helsby through the rural villages of Dunham-on-the-Hill, Mouldsworth, and Manley.
Despite the rainy conditions, the atmosphere remained electric.
This year’s sold-out event was particularly historic, as the home club, Helsby, triumphed for the first time in the race’s 42-edition history.
Conor Sarsfield (Helsby RC) secured the men’s title on Sunday, finishing with a time of 1:08:40. In the women’s field, Nicola Reece (Wilmslow RC) claimed the title in 1:21:45.
Conor also won the first local mens runner trophy along with Hannah Cowley (Helsby RC & Cheshire Dragons) taking the local women’s prize.
Following the event, Helsby Running Club expressed their deep gratitude to those who made the day possible: “This race is only possible due to the massive collective effort from our whole community. It simply doesn’t happen without everyone coming together. We want to say a huge thank you to our volunteers, marshals, residents, runners, and community partners. Their dedication is the backbone of this event, and we are incredibly proud to continue this tradition after more than four decades.”
The Four Villages Half Marathon remains one of the most popular club-led half marathons in the UK, acting as a vital fundraiser and a highlight for regional running clubs.
