The BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon returns this Sunday (26 March) for the milestone 30th staging of the race – with a staggering 5,100 runners gearing up to take on the city centre challenge.
The 13.1-mile BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon event also includes the 8th annual BTR Liverpool 10 Mile Road Race.
Both race routes start and finish at Pier Head Liverpool, winding their way through the city and onto Sefton Park, taking in the sights along the way. A grandstand finish on the world-famous waterfront comes under the gaze of the city’s iconic Liver Birds.
Runners are advised to remember that the clocks go forward the night before the race.
The event kick-starts a busy 2023 race calendar for BTR Liverpool, which will see three of its headline events reaching major milestones during the year.
This year’s overall event campaign is dubbed as 30/20/10 – 30 Years, A Life On The Run, and focuses on the hat-trick of key events.
First staged in 1994, the half marathon is one of the longest established races in the region and is a highlight in the North West race calendar, as well as attracting participants from across the country.
In 2020, the race was rebranded to BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon to celebrate the city’s strong tourism offer. Famous landmarks along the route include Liverpool Cathedral, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, Sefton Park, and Museum Of Liverpool.
Two runners, Stephen Symons (pictured) and Jamie Doolan, are gearing up to take part in their 30th BTR Liverpool Half Marathon event – having both completed all previous 29 events.
Fifty-seven-year-old Stephen runs for Quays Running Club in Manchester. Despite suffering a brain haemorrhage in November 2012, he still completed the next half marathon race in March 2013 accompanied by family. He has since fully recovered and continues to take part each year.
Jamie Doolan is also a race ever-present. The 52-year-old nurse from Broadgreen has also completed 33 marathons – no mean feat after being told he would struggle to walk due to a problem with his legs at birth. He went on to have them straightened with splints, then aged 21 had pins inserted to strengthen his right ankle.
As part of its commitment to community engagement, BTR Liverpool has invited Fans Supporting Foodbanks to collect food donations at the event. Runners and spectators are encouraged to drop off items at the charity’s van which will be parked at the Pier Head near the start line.
Donations currently needed include milk (UHT or powdered), cereal, tinned fish, instant mash potato, fruit squash or cordial, teabags, coffee, tinned meat, tinned soup, packet noodles, tinned vegetables, tinned rice pudding or custard, curry or pasta sauce, rice, tinned fruit, jam, biscuits, snack bars, sweets, dry pasta sauce, toiletries, and washing-up liquid.
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