Runners will take part in minute's applause before race to mark 29th Anniversary of Hillsborough tragedy
Photographs by Paul Francis Cooper

THE 13th annual BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K takes place on Sunday, 15 April 2018, when 2,400 runners will run under the River Mersey.

The race starts at 9.30am, in Liverpool City Centre and finishes in New Brighton; with runners enjoying the rare and unique experience of the tunnel run.

The route takes runners from the start line in Blackstock Street, through the Kingsway Tunnel, along Seacombe Promenade, past Fort Perch Rock and the Marine Lake, to the finish line on Ian Fraser Walk at New Brighton.

The race takes place on the 29th Anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, when 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives in the football disaster on 15 April 1989.

To mark the poignant date, runners will be invited to join in with a minute's applause to remember The 96, their families and the survivors. The applause will take place shortly before the race starts at 9.30am.

For this year's race, the Seacombe Promenade water station will be positioned slightly further along the waterfront, near the Memorial Gardens To The 96, at Wallasey Town Hall.

The water station will be manned by volunteers from the LFC Foundation, the official charity of Liverpool Football Club.

Wirral Council is marking the Anniversary by floodlighting Wallasey Town Hall tower red this weekend, as well as displaying special banners reading Truth, Justice, and Never Forgotten. Flowers will also be laid.

The race also marks a month to the 4th Annual Run For The 96 5K, which takes place in Liverpool's Stanley Park, on Saturday, 12 May 2018.

A week earlier, on Sunday, 6 May 2018, a team will be taking part in the inaugural Run To Remember 96K Relay at Seacombe Promenade, from Wallasey Town Hall and the Memorial Gardens To The 96.

Each kilometre will be dedicated to 1 of The 96. The endurance event is free to join in, and participants can choose the distance they run. This will be a curtain raiser to the family fun run event taking place the following week.

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell commented:- "The Mersey Tunnel 10K continues to attract runners keen to experience the rare and unique opportunity to run through the Kingsway Tunnel and under the River Mersey. There's always such a great atmosphere on the day, with runners emerging from the tunnel with a big smile on their faces. This year's race will be particularly poignant sharing the date of the 29th Anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. We are asking runners to come together, stand side by side, and join in a minute's applause shortly before the race starts at 9.30am, as we pay our respects to The 96, their families and the survivors."

The Mersey Tunnel 10K returned to the North West race calendar in 2006 at the request of the Mersey Tunnels with BTR Liverpool taking on the mantle.

The race is organised and delivered by Hoylake based race organisers BTR Liverpool, the leading independent organisation for creating, managing and delivering headline race events across Liverpool City Region.

The BTR portfolio also includes the Wirral ˝ Marathon and 10K; Liverpool Santa Dash; Port Sunlight 10K and 5K; and Tour Of Merseyside.

This year, the race has also attracted participants from Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand.

The most senior race participants are 4 runners, aged between 72 and 90 years old, they are:-

► Sue Nicholls, aged 72 from Cornwall.

► Phillip Murray, aged 78 from Liverpool and runs for Penny Lane Striders.

► Phil Humphreys, aged 79 from Ellesmere Port.

► Eddie Naisby, from Ruthin in Wales; who celebrated his 90th birthday on 1 April and runs for Prestatyn RC.

Local running clubs taking part include:-

► BTR Road Runners.

► Kirkby Milers.

► Liverpool Running Club.

► Penny Lane Striders.

► Wallasey AC.

Finishers will receive a commemorative medal and T-shirt, also final race entries are available online on the BTR Liverpool website.

BTR Running Events 2018:-

► 15 April 2018 - BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K.

► 6 May 2018 - Run To Remember 96K Relay.

► 12 May 2018 - Run For The 96 5K / 1 Mile Fun Run.

► 17 June 2018 - BTR Port Sunlight 10K / 5K / 1K Kids Fun Run.

► 1 July to 7 July 2018 - BTR Tour Of Merseyside (52 miles.)

► 26 August 2018 - Run For Rhys 5K (also 1 Mile / 3K.)

► 9 September 2018 - BTR Wirral ˝ Marathon / 10K.

► 7 September to 9 September 2018 - BTR Whistle Stop Tour Of Wirral (26 miles.)

► 2 December 2018 - BTR Liverpool Santa Dash (5K / 1K Mini Dash.)

BTR Running Events 2019:-

► 10 March 2019 BTR Liverpool ˝ Marathon (BTR Liverpool 10 Mile Road Race.)