Run City Liverpool

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