TAVISTOCK Athletic Club runners Adam Holland and Peter Bazley travel 585miles round trip to Helsby, south of Liverpool, to take part in the 30th Shell Four Villages Half Marathon on Sunday.
For both runners it was their fourth taking part in this event with Adam fastest time being 1.19.19sec back in 2005 and Peter's fastest 1.29.33 in the same year.
The Helsby Half, as it affectionately known, has grown in both runner numbers and stature since its inception in 1982. That year saw around 100 runners attending the inaugural event, while today, even with an entry limit of 2,000, the number of entries far exceeds the race capacity.
The intention of the race has always been focused on fund raising for local charities and other good causes.
The race had a scenic road race through rural countryside, passing through the Cheshire villages of Dunham on the Hill, Mouldsworth, Manley and Helsby. Runners undergo 170m of climbing but the weather was good with no rain and a little cold to start with.
For Peter the races was about getting under 1.34.00 to get a diamond in Tavistock AC award scheme, which he did do with a time of 1.30.42 and finish 238th. Adam, who was trying to beat his personal best which he set in Bideford in 2006, did so by finishing in 1.14.45 and in 22nd place.