Run City Liverpool

MORE than 4,000 runners will be pounding the streets of Liverpool on Sunday for the city’s annual half-marathon.

The 13.1 mile course, which this year starts outside the Echo Arena, has attracted people from around the world with entrants from New York, Norway and Germany.

Organiser Alan Rothwell said: “There’s a lot of excitement around the half- marathon this year.

“We have had a lot more people entering because it’s back to starting and finishing in the city centre.”

Many people use the half- marathon as preparation for the London marathon which takes place in four weeks.

Alan added: “The Capital of Culture effect is still rippling through the city, with so many people choosing our run this year because the city is right on top of you during the route rather than runners just going past the edge of the city.”

Official runners’ world pacers will be running at five different paces on the day for anyone that wants to beat their personal best, regardless of what the elements may be throwing at them.

Alan said: “The weather forecast is looking favourable so far for Sunday, which is very important for the runners.

“Everyone will be hoping for a south westerly wind which will get behind them and push them along the tough parts of the course.”

Joining the crowd of fund-raising charity runners will also be stars from Hollyoaks who are raising money for Whizz Kids and Prostate Cancer.

Residents around the city centre have been warned of some road closures during the race which has a 9.30am start.

Adjoining roads along the city side of St James Street will be closed at 10am while runners pass.

At 10.15am, there will be no access to Devonshire Road.

Access to and from Jericho Lane and Aigburth Road will be restricted between 9.45 am and 10.30 am until the last runner passes into Otterspool Park.

The last of the runners are expected to finish at midday.

Liverpool Echo

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Park has advised Run Liverpool and Henshaws Society For Blind people that permission for use of the car park has been withdrawn by Grosvenor.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