Crowds flock to Helsby take part in Essar Four Villages Half Marathon

Nov 17 2011 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

THOUSANDS of runners are scrambling for a place at the starting line of a popular Helsby race.

More than 1,100 runners have signed up to run the Essar Four Villages Half Marathon, which winds through the streets of Helsby, Mouldsworth, Manley and Dunham-On-The-Hill.

But this year the event will cost runners more to enter after changes in traffic control measures forced organisers to bump up the fees so they did not have to dip into charitable donations.

This year’s marathon saw more than 1,600 runners of all ages cross the starting line at Helsby Community Sports Club and race through the villages in a bid to complete the gruelling 13.1-mile course. And, despite the increased cost, organisers are predicting that all 2,000 places for the January race will be filled in a matter of weeks, with desperate runners who missed out pleading and grappling for spare places.

Race organiser and member of Helsby Running Club Steve Riley said: “The race is always very popular; I think it is partly the start of the year and people have good intentions in the New Year.”

The event will be held on Sunday, January 22.

Entry costs £18 for UKA club members and £20 for non-members.

Runners must be aged 17 or above. To enter visit www.helsbyrunningclub.org.uk