Runners taking part in this weekend’s BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon are being encouraged to support local food banks.
Over 3,000 runners will pull on their running shoes this Sunday (15 March) to take part in the race, which is being staged for the 27th consecutive year.
The 13.1-mile half marathon event also includes the fifth annual 10 Mile Road Race. Both races start at 9am from Pier Head Liverpool.
Runners and spectators will gather under the gaze of the Liver Birds for the annual race set against iconic city backdrop, the Three Graces – Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building, and Port Of Liverpool Building.
As part of its commitment to support community projects, independent race organiser BTR Liverpool is encouraging participants to donate a food item.
A regular on match days at Anfield and Goodison, Fans Supporting Foodbanks will have a collection point at Pier Head Liverpool on race day where runners and spectators can donate non-perishable food items.
Items desperately needed include tinned or long life packet food including tinned fruit, tinned vegetables, tinned cold meats, rice pudding, packet noodles, packet savoury rice, packet mashed potato, long life fruit juice, UHT milk, and teabags.
Dave Kelly from Fans Supporting Food Banks commented:
“We’re delighted to one again be working with BTR Liverpool. When we last collected at a BTR race we went away with a full van thanks to the incredible support and huge generosity of the runners. If everyone brings along just one item it will make a massive difference to help families in real need.”
Runners are also being encouraged to go green and reduce their carbon footprint by taking advantage of free bus travel throughout the day from Arriva North West.
This is the latest move from race organiser BTR Liverpool in a bid to make its portfolio of races more green and environmentally friendly. Arriva North West has also supported the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash for the past three years with complimentary travel for Santas.
Race participants can travel on the Arriva bus network across Merseyside throughout the day free of charge. To claim complimentary bus travel into the city centre on the morning of the race, runners must be wearing their race number. Returning home, runners must show their finishers’ race medal. There is no cut off travel time post race.
Liverpool Half Marathon was first staged in 1994, and has since firmly established itself as the North West’s premier road race event.
This year’s event has been rebranded to the BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon to celebrate the host destination’s strong tourism offer. Runners can see the city on foot – the course features iconic sights Liverpool Cathedral, Royal Albert Dock, and Museum Of Liverpool.
Fifty-four-year-old Stephen Symons will continue his unbeaten run of having taken part every year – making this his 27th consecutive race start. Despite suffering from a brain haemorrhage in November 2012, Stephen still managed his continuous race run in March 2013 and took part accompanied by family.
Runners will be given a much-needed boost during the final mile between Otterspool Promenade and Pier Head Liverpool by volunteer Race Angels, who will support runners as they head to the finish line.
Liverpool drumming band Batala Mersey will be at Museum Of Liverpool to spur runners along the final home straight and towards the finish line.
The Gym at Liverpool ONE is supporting the race by offering participants a free one day pass on race day to use the facilities.
Organiser BTR Liverpool has said the race will go ahead this Sunday (15 March).
BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing and delivering headline race events across Liverpool City Region. Its growing portfolio also includes the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K; BTR Liverpool Santa Dash; BTR Port Sunlight 5K and 10K; and 52-mile BTR Tour Of Merseyside.
BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell commented:
“We are fully committed to going ahead with the BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon and BTR 10 Mile Road Race this Sunday. We are following Government, Public Health England and World Health Organisation advice and guidance about the coronavirus, and our medical resource providers are also monitoring the situation.
“We would advise runners to allow extra space between themselves and other competitors in the start line area; avoid shaking hands and other physical contact; and ensure they wash their hands thoroughly. We will continue to keep our participants updated as the event nears.”
Online race registration will close at 12pm on Thursday (12 March), visit www.btrliverpool.com for full details.
