Entries are open for this year’s Run For The 97 event

Entries are open for community legacy event Run For The 97 – with just six weeks to go to this year’s fun run.

The countdown is on to Saturday 23 May 2026 when red and blue football supporters will walk, jog, or run in Stanley Park for the 12^th staging of the special day.

The 5K fun run starts at 9.30am, followed by a 1 Miler at approximately 10.30am.

The event takes place in Stanley Park, located between Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium and Everton FC’s Goodison Park, the new home of Everton Women.

Registration is open here which includes virtual entries.

The 5K accessible route takes runners through Stanley Park, along Walton Lane, Priory Road, Arkles Lane, back into the park before passing the Eternal Flame on 97 Avenue at Anfield Stadium, before heading to the finish line in the middle of the park.

Run For The 97 was first staged in 2015 as a positive inclusive event to celebrate the lives and honour the 97 Liverpool Football Club fans who died at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989. Next week’s anniversary marks 37 years since the disaster.

The event also remembers the families of The 97 and the survivors, who have since tirelessly fought for justice with the utmost dignity. They continue to campaign for a Hillsborough Law.

Hillsborough family members and justice campaigners Margaret Aspinall, Steve Kelly, and Sue Roberts have all been involved since the event began.

Margaret Aspinall is the former Chair of the now disbanded Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG), she lost her 18-year-old son James at Hillsborough. Steve Kelly lost his brother Michael, aged 38. Steve helped to create and shape the event. Sue Roberts, former HFSG Secretary, lost her 24-year-old brother Graham.

The event provides a platform for participants to fundraise or to make a one-off charity donation. Since it was first staged, Run For The 97 has helped to raise over £45,000 for good causes in the city.

This year’s official charity partners are Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation; Liverpool Football Club’s official club charity LFC Foundation; and Stanley Park junior parkrun and its two sister parkruns at The Mystery Park in Wavertree and Derby Park in Bootle.

The trio of charities support the vision of creating a legacy to honour The 97, while ensuring local communities benefit through their work. Funds raised will be split equally between the charities for vital community outreach programmes.

The entry fee pays to stage and deliver all aspects of the event including run numbers, T-shirts, medals, virtual entries, event day staging, safety measures, and runner facilities.

Run For The 97 has continued every year since 2015. During the pandemic it went ahead as a virtual run in 2020 and 2021, ensuring people could still support the cause and fundraise.

The virtual run option has continued, allowing football fans across the UK and further afield to support the event. They are sent their run number, T-shirt, and medal direct so they can still be part of the day.

Run For The 97 is organised by BTR Liverpool – the leading organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region.

Just two weeks ago, BTR Liverpool organised the biggest ever Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race which sold out at 15,000 places. This weekend sees another sold out event for the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K, 4,100 runners are registered to run under the River Mersey in one of the most unique events in the country.

The BTR Liverpool annual calendar of competitive races and fun runs take place between March and December. The portfolio also includes Liverpool Santa Dash, Port Sunlight Road Race 10K and 5K, Women’s 10K and 5K Liverpool, and Wirral 10K.

In 2025, BTR Liverpool and its successful portfolio of events was acquired by Run For All. Mass participation events company Run For All is wholly owned by the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, and continues to honour her ongoing legacy.

Alan Rothwell, BTR Liverpool Founder, commented:

“Run For The 97 is well established in the BTR event calendar. It is rooted in community and its legacy celebrates the lives and honours the 97 Liverpool Football Club fans lost at Hillsborough in 1989. It is paramount that we always remember, and through the event we can educate youngsters through sport.

“The event is inclusive and open to everyone. It’s heartwarming to see so many people walk, jog, or run and be part of the event, it’s not a competitive race. Run For The 97 is incredibly special – the day embodies inspiration, positivity, and real strength. Let’s Run To Remember The 97 on 23 May.”

Find out more about the event here.

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