Essar was once again proud to support the Four Villages Half Marathon, with nearly 1,600 runners involved in the event despite challenging weather conditions on the day.
The race, now in its 35th year, is staged through country lanes just a few miles from Essar’s Stanlow refinery, starting in Helsby and then taking in the villages of Dunham-on-the-Hill, Mouldsworth and Manley.
The company also supported a competition amongst local schools to design the race T-shirt. Horn's Mill school pupil Amy Jackson from Ince was this year's winner, and was present with her family on Sunday to officially start the race. She received a prize of book vouchers for herself and her school, along with some Essar merchandise. Essar also provided vouchers for three competition runner-ups and their schools.
The race is well supported by community groups and volunteers, together with businesses in the area and each year donates thousands of pounds to voluntary groups and two local hospices - Halton Haven in Runcorn and Hospice of the Good Shepard in Chester.