One of Frodsham’s most popular annual events, the Downhill Run, is not taking place this year. The Frodsham Community Association has released a statement on their website saying:
"Various factors have combined to make it really difficult to manage this event […] Frodsham Downhill Run has been a real community event for so many years but now it’s time to think of something new and different and equally inclusive so please, if you would like to get involved or just have an idea, get in touch!"
At a Frodsham Town Council meeting held on 7th April, it was decided that they would consider holding the event in 2027, hopefully coinciding with one of their civic events.
The first race, in 1936, had just 12 entrants running from the Athletics Ground to the top of the hill and back. This was repeated in 1937 when Wilson Huck won. The race then lapsed.
In 1970, George Bunner revived the event. Participants started at the newly-opened Frodsham Community Centre, ran up Fluin Lane, up the hill to the memorial and back. Wilson Huck, the previous winner, officially started this revival race. Under 15’s ran one lap, ‘youths’ (16-17s) 2 laps and seniors (18+) 3 laps! Sebastian Coe of Hallamshire Harriers ran in the early 70’s and said “it was the hardest race I’ve ever run”.
By 1974, 900 boys and men competed from around the country with thousands of spectators. The first ladies race was in 1979. The event lapsed in the mid 90’s but was re-launched by Frodsham Community Centre as the ‘Downhill Run’ in 2006, becoming a big calendar event for all ages. To read the full FCA statement, please visit their website.