From Tues 16th February, the new office address will be:

RunLiverpool/L1310K Limited,
JJB Sports,
5 Williamson Square,
Liverpool L1 1EQ

Tel No. and Email address are unchanged

Event stability the key to improvement this year.

Looking back over the last five years we have had a lot to contend with whilst attempting to create a first class portfolio of events for runners, not just in Merseyside but from across the country. It is clear from the spread of entries we get for most events that the city of Liverpool is enjoyed by many people from all parts of the UK and beyond.

This isn’t rocket science! As a runner myself for over 30 years I have travelled far and wide looking for new running experiences and have been to some great places. So looking at the new found profile of Liverpool – post Capital of Culture – it seems logical that people will see the city in a different light and that is a credit to everyone who has helped shape the city over the last decade.

In recent years the local running events have not enjoyed the same level of investment from the city and consequently progress in developing the quality and profile of them has been slower than anticipated. That said there is progress without doubt. Entries for the events remained steady at around 24,000 in 2009 but given the backdrop of all that has happened over the last twelve months it is reassuring that so many people are still prepared to take part in our events.

Now we have completed the first five years I believe we have a very good year ahead of us and in the main I put that down to having a stable set of race routes – at last. If we take a look back at where all this started with the introduction of the Liverpool Half Marathon back in 1994 then it is amazing to consider just how many courses that particular event has had to embrace – and almost all receiving local community complaints in one form or another. And yet after much persistence (and determination) 2009 saw the event take up what I believe to be the best course we have had in 16 years! There are no plans to change the course this year and is fundamentally what I’m happiest with – an established course!

The same can now be said for all the other events in the portfolio with the Women’s 10K in May utilising the October 10K course from last year. The Tunnel 10K remains unaffected as there is no need for change there, the Big Heart 5K in Walton Hall park doesn’t need to change and the 5K Team Challenge now has an excellent course in the city after a difficult three year period in Croxteth Park. With the October 10K settled and the Santa Dash working exceptionally well in the city centre it seems all the logistical difficulties are now behind us.

This year will see a focus on developing the quality of the events through encouraging more investment in the initiative. As you will see, Run Liverpool has teamed with JJB Sports and their positioning statement is rather appropriate… ‘we’re SERIOUS ABOUT RUNNING’. With the addition of ‘in Liverpool’ the tone is set for a really good year.

As well as JJB Sports we also have great support from Highland Spring, Liverpool Active City, Total Fitness and Runner’s World.

So yes, it has been a difficult five years but I sense that we are now gaining the kind of credibility that the events – and the small team that deliver them – really deserve.

To those of you that took part in 2009 I thank you for your continued support (and hope to see you back this year) and to those of you who have never sampled a race atmosphere, come along and join us. You’ll like what you see.

Alan Rothwell

‘runliverpool’ initiative

The planned Underground 5K event scheduled for Sunday, April 19th has been cancelled by Q Park with immediate effect.

Samantha Carvis from Q Park has advised Run Liverpool and Henshaws Society For Blind people that permission for use of the car park has been withdrawn by Grosvenor.

Despite a full event plan being in place and race packs ready to got out to all competitors from Monday 30th March it seems objections have been raised about the agreed car park closure.

In a short statement Samantha Carvis from Q Park said;

Hi Nikki/Alan

My sincere apologies for having to cancel the 5K underground run at the Liverpool ONE car park. To confirm, the reason behind this is because we are not allowed to close the car park at any time as we would be in breach of our lease with Grosvenor. I have tried to come up with alternative options but every idea I have has health and safety issues involved.

I am so sorry for the inconvenience this will cause.

Kind regards
Sam
Samantha Carvis
Sales and Marketing Manager

Alan Rothwell from the ‘runliverpool’ initiative said…
‘It should be understood that both Run Liverpool and Henshaws had undertaken to create and deliver this event on the basis of permission given by Q Park at the outset of discussion to host the event on the agreed date.

It is unfortunate and regrettable that such a decision has been taken so late in the day.’
Anyone who has entered the race will have their entry fee returned in full shortly.

Alan Rothwell
‘runliverpool’ initiative

Source: Run Liverpool

Here are some of the local running events that are taking place during March, April and May of this year.

EVENT ORGANISERS

If you would like your event listed here, please either contact L1310K on
0151 709 1413, or email alan.rothwell@btconnect.com or filmset@btconnect.com.

March

Sunday 8th – TuffNutz Team Endurance

Team Endurance Race, 11 miles, Open entrance, £10 affiliated, £12 unaffiliated Contact: Roy Fisher on 0151 648 7671

Sunday 15th – 1st Wirral Seaside Run

A series of eight fast flat races, 5 miles, Open entrance, £3 affiliated, £5 unaffiliated Contact: Roy Fisher on 0151 648 7671

Sunday 22nd – Aintree Diabetes 10K

A fund-raising race in Croxteth Park in aid of Diabetes Research, 10K, Open entrance, £5 affiliated, £7 unaffiliated Contact: 0151 529 6592

Sunday 29th Liverpool Mizuno Half Marathon

City Centre Road Race, 13.5 miles, Open entrance, £24 affiliated, £26 unaffiliated

April

Friday 10th – Southport Good Friday Races

3K Fun Run, Ladies 4 miles and Men’s 4 miles, Open entrance, £3 Fun Run, £6 affiliate
£8 unaffiliated Contact: robertmclark@blueyonder.co.uk

Sunday 12th – 9th Runcorn Bridge 5 Mile

5 miles, Open entrance, £7.50 affiliated, £9.50 unaffiliated Contact: 01928 516118
Wednesday 15th – 2nd Wirral Seaside Run

A series of eight fast flat races, 5 miles, Open entrance, £3 affiliated, £5 unaffiliated Contact: Roy Fisher on 0151 648 7671

Sunday 19th First Liverpool1, Q Parks Underground 5K

A 5K race around the underground car park at Liverpool 1, fast, flat clean running surface with no traffic, 5K, Open entrance, £10

May

Wednesday 6th – Wavertree Mystery 5K
Open entrance, Contact: Pat Henley on 0151 259 5246

LIVERPOOL’S most famous locations will be the setting for the city’s first triathlon.

More than 1,000 people are expected to take part in the event, from national athletes to novices, with some of the city’s favourite landmarks used for the swimming, cycling and running events.

The triathlon will include a 1500m swim in the Albert Dock, with canoes alongside every wave of swimmers. The 40km bike ride will be along Wapping, The Strand and Great Howard Street, and the 10km run will be through Salthouse Dock, Wapping, The Strand and around the Liver Building, returning along the waterside. It will finish in the piazza next to the ECHO arena.

In addition to the Olympic distance races there will be a sprint and super sprint for those who cannot face going the distance.

Families and work colleagues can enter teams so that the swim, ride and run can be split up between team members passing on the time chip “baton” between events.

The triathlon on June 21 will also offer shorter distances for children.

The event is being organised in partnership with Mass Participation Events, one of the key players behind the London triathlon.

Council leader Warren Bradley said he was thrilled Liverpool would be hosting what he hoped could be a long-term fixture for the city.

He said: “We are absolutely determined to build upon the massive success of our Capital of Culture year by continuing to host major, top-quality events.

“The aim is to turn this into an annual event which is part of Liverpool’s cultural calendar.”

Kevin Stewart, managing director of Mass Participation Events, added that the triathlon could become a flagship event for the north west.

He said: “Having been closely involved in the development of the London triathlon and developed them from scratch in Sweden and Spain, I am excited about the long-term potential for thisevent.

“We have an experienced team in place to ensure that the Liverpool triathlon is second to none in terms of enjoyment and safety for all.

“I look forward to being overwhelmed by the response of the participants from the north west and the rest of Britain as I believe it will be a ‘must-do’ event.”

Anyone wishing to enter should visit www.liverpool triathlon.co.uk

marcwaddington@liverpoolecho.co.uk

New for 2009! A most unusual run which has not been done before. In recent years we have taken you up and down flyovers, around the city centre, through parks and even under the River Mersey!

Now we can bring you the first Underground 5K. This will be a run where you never touch a public highway – brought to you courtesy of Q Parks and Henshaws Society For Blind People.

The 5K course will use Liverpool’s newest and most lavish car park as a setting for a very innovative 5K. The run will use all four floors of the Liverpool 1 car park providing a fantastic running surface and a climb from the basement start line to the top floor overlooking the dynamic shopping venue.

It’s new, it’s different so come and try it. Medals, Goody Bags and t shirts to everyone taking part! The entry fee is just £10.

To enter download an entry form, or enter via the on-line facility which will be available shortly.

RACE organisers today announced the Liverpool Unites: Run for Rhys was back on the starting blocks. After the success of Friday’s Concert for Rhys at the ECHO arena, it is hoped the run will be just as big a hit. Rescheduled from its original date in July to Sunday September 14, the event is a 5km family fun day around Croxteth Hall park.

Enter and get a commemorative T-Shirt!

Come and celebrate the Beatles and Raise Money for Local Charities!

10th July 2008

For more information click here

To join our free, exciting and new Liverpool Runner’s Forum, click here!