A Cheshire Outing: From Tarvin to Helsby Half and Back – Marathon 4

Week four took us to Cheshire, and for the first time on the challenge it felt properly close to home. Just an hour’s drive made everything that bit easier – less travel fatigue, more familiarity, and a nice sense of settling into the weekly rhythm.

The build-up was a good one. We’d had a brilliant response to the podcasts and clips that went out during the week, and Jonny had gone above and beyond to get people involved. Members of his triathlon club, friends, family – and some familiar faces too. Tommy, a close mate who’ll be running with us again later in the year, and my Shrewsbury training buddy, Tom, were both alongside us. There was a real buzz heading into things!

The only question mark was the weather. Forecasts suggested a slim chance of a dry window, but mostly rain. As it turned out, they weren’t wrong.

Route-wise, it was a brilliant but demanding setup: 10km from Tarvin to the start of the Four Villages Half Marathon, very well organised by Helsby Running Club, then the half marathon itself through Helsby, before another 10km back home. 

We set off with a strong crew of six runners, plus Liam on the bike acting as our mobile support vehicle. It was a fit group, and if I’m honest, the early pace was probably a touch hot for me. I was pleased to be running at what I’d call my trained pace, but with three marathons already in the legs, it felt a little spicy over the first five or six miles.

The half marathon itself was excellent – great organisation & atmosphere, and plenty of people out racing hard at the front while enjoying themselves further back where we were. Big thanks again to Helsby Running Club, who also helped us out with some last-minute logistics beforehand.

One of the highlights on the course was meeting Seb. He told us he’d run the race every year for the past six years, and each time his finish had got slower thanks to being caught out by the hills. He stuck with us, battled through, and I’m fairly sure we helped him to a PB – or at least very close. That was a really nice moment.

There were loads of great conversations out on the route too. With four Marathons for Miracles t-shirts running together and Liam cycling alongside with his sandwich boards, we drew a fair bit of attention. People were genuinely interested in what we were doing, and we picked up some donations mid-race, which was hugely motivating.

As the miles ticked by, the rain did what it said on the tin – we just got wetter and wetter. Around miles 16–17 my feet started to get pretty sore after I’d tightened my shoes a bit much. Loosening them off helped, and thankfully that settled things down.

After the half marathon finished, we paused briefly and got cold very quickly – standing still in the wet wasn’t ideal. It took a mile or so to get moving properly again, but by then we were heading for home. The final four or five miles were a proper trudge. Even the fittest lads were acknowledging the obvious truth: no matter who you are, a marathon is still a bloody long way. Jonny, more used to shorter, faster efforts, felt that too.

I plodded home, tired but content. It was hard work, but one of those days that feels deeply rewarding by the end.

The finish couldn’t have been better. Back in Tarvin, we were met by WAGs and kids who’d set up a toilet-roll finish line across the street – a perfect welcome. Huge thanks to Jonny and Emma for hosting as well; at one point they had around 25 people in the house, kids everywhere, chaos in full swing. Bacon sandwiches, refuelling, and great company rounded off the day perfectly.

Marathon four ticked off. Legs are definitely feeling it this week – no real niggles, just honest fatigue – but the mission rolls on.

Onwards to Staffordshire on Sunday 25th Jan!