Organisers have announced that the sixth annual Run For The 96 community legacy fun run event will not be staged this year, and has instead been changed to a virtual 5K.
The event was scheduled to take place on Saturday 16 May 2020 in Stanley Park, a fitting backdrop between the home grounds of Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield Stadium and Everton Football Club’s Goodison Park.
However, due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, mass participation events are currently not permitted under guidelines from Government, Public Health England, and the World Health Organisation.
The Run For The 96 5K 2020 fun run is now a virtual option only, which still gives supporters the opportunity to run, jog or walk to remember The 96.
Run For The 96 is a community legacy event to celebrate the lives of the 96 Liverpool Football Club fans who tragically lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April 1989.
The event also strives to remember the families of The 96 and the survivors, who have tirelessly fought for justice with the utmost dignity.
First staged in April 2015 to honour and remember The 96, the event has gone on to raise more than £25,000 for charity through donations and the fundraising efforts of its participants.
Run For The 96 continues to have the support of the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG).
Margaret Aspinall, Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, has attended the event each year and taken part in recent years. She commented:
“We are very sad and disappointed to cancel this year’s Run For The 96 5K in Stanley Park but we are facing a global health emergency. You can still run to remember The 96 by taking part virtually – but please ensure you respect social distancing at all times.
“Run For The 96 has become such a special day for football supporters – Red and Blue – across Merseyside and beyond. And we look forward to returning to Stanley Park next year when we can come together once again like no other football family. Stay safe and stay healthy.”
Participants are invited to run, jog or walk the 5K distance to celebrate the lives of The 96 – wherever they are in the world.
Registrations have already been received from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand – as well as across the UK and on home soil in Liverpool.
After registering, virtual runners will receive their race number and medal in the post. They are encouraged to wear their own club colours to run as, due to the current restrictions, it is not possible to provide race T-shirts this year.
Runners can complete the 5K distance any time after receiving their race pack – but they are being asked to run on the original event date of Saturday 16 May 2020 if possible.
They should take a run selfie featuring their race number and medal and email to alan@btrliverpool.com so it can be included in an online gallery.
This year’s official four beneficiaries are the LFC Foundation; Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation; Everton in the Community; and Stanley Park Liverpool CIC. Together, they support the vision of creating a legacy event to honour The 96 while ensuring local communities benefit. BTR Liverpool organise and deliver the event.
Participants are encouraged to fund raise or make a one-off donation. All monies raised by runners or donated by third parties will be split equally between the four named beneficiaries to enable them to continue vital outreach services in their communities. This year’s official fundraising page can be found at www.justgiving.com/campaign/runforthe962020
Run For The 96 entries are open, visit www.btrliverpool.com/965k
Photo credit: Paul Francis Cooper
