Run for the 96 5k fun run returns with support from Jamie Carragher

There’s brand new date, a new endurance race for Wirral and a new local charity beneficiary of this year’s fun run event.

The fourth annual Run for the 96 5k was officially launched today (Thursday 15th March 2018) at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park, with a host of famous faces lending their support to this community legacy event. Taking place on Saturday 12th May 2018, Run for the 96 5k is staged to remember and celebrate the lives of the 96 Liverpool fans who were unlawfully killed in the Hillsborough tragedy on 15th April 1989. The family fun run also remembers the families of The 96 and the survivors, who have fought tirelessly for justice with the utmost dignity.

Watch above as our Kate chats with 23 Foundation founder and former LFC player, Jamie Carragher, Legends, Alan Kennedy and Graeme Sharp and the team behind the event at Stanley Park.

The official launch was attended by Anfield favourite Jamie Carragher, Margaret Aspinall and Sue Roberts of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Steve Kelly from the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, Everton Ambassador Graeme Sharp, LFC Legend Alan Kennedy, Dom Williams who created Run For The 96 and Alan Rothwell, BTR Race Director.

Brand new for 2018, Run For The 96 5k and 1 mile distance race will be held on a Saturday at Stanley Park, this coincides with the last games of the 17/18 season being played on the Sunday. There is also a new charity beneficiary for the event in The 23 Foundation, founded by former red, Jamie Carragher. Jamie started the 23 Foundation in 2009, naming the charity after the squad number he made famous while playing for Liverpool until he retired in 2013.

The 23 Foundation raises money through the sale of memorabilia, fundraising events and donations and has now developed into an organisation that supports charities, clubs and young people. Last year, the charity helped more than 1,100 families and supported projects including food banks. Jamie said: “I am delighted the 23 Foundation has become part of Run For The 96. It’s been in the planning for several months so I’m excited to officially launch our involvement. Last year we supported more than 1,100 families, food banks and other vital projects. Our dream is to hep young people have a better life and encourage them to achieve their dreams.”

Jamie will be taking part in Run For The 96 at Stanley Park with his Dad, he said: “Celebrating the lives of The 96 is very close to my heart as a Scouser and former Liverpool player.”

Run for the 96 2017

The 23 Foundation joins Everton in the Community and Stanley Park CIC as beneficiaries from funds donated and raised by participants. Together, all three organisations support the event’s original vision of creating a positive community legacy event. Everton Ambassador, Graeme Sharp, representing Everton in the Community said: “It’s great to see this event come back for a fourth year and to see the three organisations come together for such an important cause – to remember The 96. Good luck to all the runners who take part on the day.”

Run for the 96 5k was created by Dom Williams who organised the mammoth Hillsborough to Anfield run for a number of years. Not content with running the 96 miles and of course the 5k fun run, along with BTR Liverpool, Dom and his team will take part in a brand new event, Run to Remember 96k Relay, along the Wirral Promenade. Taking place on Sunday 6th May 2018, the week before the Stanley Park fun run, Dom and his team will run 1km loops of the waterfront course, which includes the new Hillsborough Memorial Gardens, and each km is dedicated to The 96.

You’re invited to take part too, it’s free and you can run as many 1km loops of the course as you like. We’ll be bringing you more information about the Run to Remember 96k Relay in the coming weeks.

Over three years, donations and funds raised through the Run For The 96 5k event has totalled £22,000 for local causes, and we encourage you to lace up, grab the dog and join in the fun.

To register for the Run for the 96 5K at Stanley Park on Saturday 12th May 2018, head to www.btrliverpool.com or click here. Check out the official BTR Liverpool Facebook page here for loads of up to date information about up coming north west events to get you moving this Spring and beyond.