Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2015
Report by Medeline Saghir and photographs by Patrick Trollope

AROUND 12,000 runners from more than 50 countries gathered together in the heart of Liverpool last weekend to raise money for charity and bring festivity to the City.   This event is very unusual as it combines both Sport and Music, with live, local bands lined the race routes to encourage runners, on each day. The Liverpool race is part of an international series of entertainment themed marathons and ˝ marathons that have revolutionized the running industry since 1998. The infusing of live live bands, cheer teams and entertaining water stations that line the race route attracts all ages to both watch the race and to take part in them, promoting both music and running along the way! Other European race destinations in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series include Madrid, Dublin and Lisbon.

The Liverpool Rock n Roll Marathon 2015 consisted of a marathon, a 1 mile race, a 5k race and a ˝ marathon. The marathon and ˝ marathon started and finished at the Liverpool ACC where a large crowd of onlookers had gathered to watch the event.

The full course started alongside Liverpool Waterfront and then advanced past, Moorfields Station. The course then continued on past Goodison Park, the World Museum, the Cavern Club, Liverpool Cathedral, Sefton Park and Mariners Wharf before finishing at the Liverpool Arena, within the Albert Dock.

The winner of the Marathon was 37 year old Rob Pope who completed the course in 2 hours and 29 minutes (02:29:28). Mr Pope had been training for the marathon for 4 months and completed it on his birthday. Together with all runners, he admits that it was not an easy job, as the wind has been a definite set back. Mr Pope believes his experience of running in Australia in hot weather has helped him to stay strong and finish the race in great time, despite the bad weather. After completing the course, he looked very happy and said that Liverpool is the greatest City in the world.

Running alongside the winner for 11 miles was Daniel Chan who came 2nd. Mr Chan, who grew up in Liverpool and now lives in Yorkshire, says he felt confident that he would fall into the top 3 or 4. He completed the marathon in 2 hours and 35 minutes (02:35:30).

The Southport Reporter also spoke to Nicolas Barnstein, Liverpool's Rock n Roll Marathon's runner who completed the course in 2 hours and 49 minutes (02:49:20). Mr Barnstein has been running for 4 years and already has 20 marathons under his belt. Prior to this event he took part in the Copenhagen Marathon which he completed in 3 hours and 10 minutes (03:10:07).

Raising awareness for Justice For the 96 was James Mason who finished the marathon in just under three hours (02:56:06) and has beaten his own record. James Mason has been running for 18 and had trained for the marathon within 2 months.

In 3 hours (03:00:02), Joanne Nelson completed the course and came 1st out of the women. She was followed by Federica Poseini who finished in 3 hours and 2 minutes (03:02:18).

Melissah Gibson from Australia, who has been running for 4 years came 3rd (03:05:34) and completed what was her 21st marathon.

Competing for Guinness World Records for the fastest ˝ marathon in graduation gown was James Drakeford from Birmingham. Mr Drakeford succeeded in doing this as he completed the ˝ marathon in 1 hour and 40 minutes (01:40:19). He admits that in future he is planning to complete more records for the fastest ˝ marathon dressed as a TV character or as a fruit or vegetable. In Cardiff's half marathon he will run dressed as a zombie and in a final attempt in Birmingham he will participate in a 3 piece suit with an aim of 1 hour and 25 minutes, he will do this for a charity.

"This weekend has just reaffirmed that this event has the potential to be 1 of the best running events in the UK. The addition of the Saturday 5K, 1 mile family fun run and all the exciting participant parties at Camp and Furnace, turned this race into a full on festival weekend that a City, like Liverpool expects and deserves." said Race Director, Rob Griffiths.

Among the elite athletes, other notable runners included Ged Fitzgerald, chief executive at Liverpool City Council, who also ran last year's inaugural race in a full Elvis costume. By participating in 2014 and 2015, Fitzgerald earned an additional Encore medal. 2 time Boston Marathon winner and Olympian Geoff Smith ran yesterday's 5K and greeted runners at the start and finish line of Sunday's races. Angharad Rhodes, the blind actress from CBeebies TV show "Melody" also ran the Rock 'n' Roll Liverpool 5K with her mum, and was the official starter of the 1 Mile Family Fun Run, before she jumped into the race with her mum.

The event had many bands, from the Farm and the Mersey Cats, but ending what was an amazing line up was "Tainted Love" singer Marc Almond. We have a few highlights of his performance on our Facebook Page.

If you attended, please let us know who you found was the best band over the weekend and also please send us your memories and thoughts about this event to:- news24@southportreporter.com.

Please enjoy our video coverage and our photographs taken at this event via our Editor Patrick Trollope, in this week's edition!  Last page has our video footage of the Marathon winners and interviews on it!

Liverpool's Rock n Roll marathon was a huge success and organisers of the race are now planning to double event's participants next year... Keep your ears open for more information very soon... But we can confirm that the 2016 event will take place on 28 May to 29 May 2016. Registration for next year's race is open online until Sunday, 21 June 2015, at:- RunRockNRoll.Com/Liverpool at the lowest price of the year.

To see our coverage of the signing on event that took place on Friday, 12 June 2015, please see last week's edition by clicking on here now.

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