Community Legacy Event Run for the 97 returns this May

Community legacy event Run For The 97 takes place in Stanley Park on Saturday 18 May 2024.

This is the 10^th staging of the fun run, 700 runners have already registered.

Run For The 97 was first staged in 2015 as a positive inclusive event to celebrate and honour the lives of the 97 Liverpool Football Club fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989. Next week marks the 35^th anniversary of 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.

Run For The 97 takes place in Stanley Park – located between the home football stadiums of the city’s two Premier League clubs, Liverpool Football Club at Anfield Stadium and Everton Football Club at Goodison Park.

The 5K starts at 9.30am, followed by a 1 Mile fun run from 10.30am once all the 5K participants have cleared the course.

The route is accessible, and the event is open to everyone – as people are invited to walk, jog, or run to remember The 97.

The 5K 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, where many runners pause to take a moment to pay their respects at the Hillsborough Memorial. The route continues back into Stanley Park through to the finish line.

Run For The 97 went ahead as a virtual run in 2020 and 2021 due to the global pandemic. Virtual registration has continued and enables national and overseas football fans to support the event.

Virtual runners are sent their run number, T-shirt, and medal prior to the event so they can take part on the same day wherever they are in the world.

Everyone taking part in the 5K in encouraged to collect their technical fabric T-shirt on the morning of the event, so it can be worn for the fun run. That way everyone takes part wearing the same top.

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

Run For The 97 provides a platform for participants to fundraise or to make a one-off charity donation. Since it was first staged in 2015, the event has helped to raise almost £45,000 for good causes in the city.

The official charity partners of Run For The 97 2024 are Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation, Liverpool Football Club’s official club charity the LFC Foundation, and Stanley Park junior parkrun.

This year’s Run For The 97 also forms part of the 23 Foundation’s celebrations for its 15^th anniversary during 2024.

Participants are invited to fundraise for the three beneficiary charities who support the vision of creating a legacy to honour The 97 while ensuring local communities benefit through their work.

Monies raised will be split equally between the three charities to fund vital community outreach programmes.

The official Just Giving online donation page can be found here.

BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell commented:

“Run For The 97 is always a very special date in the BTR calendar. When we first staged the community legacy event in 2015, we adopted the wording Run To Remember The 97 and Always Remember. As we reach the 35^th anniversary of Hillsborough this still rings equally as true – we must never forget.

“The poignant event celebrates the lives of The 97 in an uplifting but respectful way, but we also take time to remember the families they left behind and the survivors. They all remain in our hearts and minds.

“Funds raised through the official Just Giving page will be split equally between the 23 Foundation, LFC Foundation, and Stanley Park junior parkrun to support vital outreach programmes in the local communities.”