Runners Battle The Elements In BTR Liverpool Landmarks Half Marathon 2019

Determined runners braved awful weather conditions yesterday (Sunday 10 March) to take part in the city’s oldest road race.

More than 3,500 competitions pulled on their running shoes to take part in the 13.1-mile BTR Liverpool Landmarks Half Marathon in some of the worst weather conditions in the race’s 26-year history.

The event also included the 4^th annual BTR Liverpool Landmarks 10 Mile Road Race.

The race was started by Everton Football Club legend and club ambassador Ian Snodin, who cheered on runners as they crossed the start line. Ian was representing club charity, Everton in the Community.

Runners included Stephen Symons, who has taken part each year since the race started in 1994.

The race continues to attract participants from across the Merseyside running community, the North West and UK – and the number of runners travelling from overseas grows each year.

This year runners travelled to Liverpool from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Ireland, Macedonia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Jersey, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, and the United States of America.

Given its international reach, the race was this year dubbed the BTR Liverpool Landmarks Half Marathon – to celebrate its strong links to tourism, showcasing the city and destination to visiting runners and spectators who are encouraged and invited to run and see the city on foot.

Both races started and finished under the gaze of the Liver Birds at Pier Head Liverpool, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and an iconic backdrop to showcase the city set against the Three Graces – the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building, and Port Of Liverpool Building.

The course featured some of Liverpool’s most famous sights including Liverpool Cathedral, Princes Park, Sefton Park, Otterspool Promenade, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, and Museum Of Liverpool.

The BTR Liverpool Landmarks Half Marathon 2019 was won by Daniel Kestrel from Rotheram Harriers AC in a time of 1:11:01 (gun time). The winning female was Ellen McLeod from Sheffield RC recording a time of 1:28.

The winner of the BTR Liverpool Landmarks 10 Mile Road Race was Mark Dunham from Southport Waterloo AC with a time of 56:08. The first female to finish was Liz Turner from Penny Lane Striders in 1:10:17.

Everton’s Ian Snodin was joined by runners and volunteers representing Everton in the Community. They were raising awareness and funds for The People’s Place, the charity’s mental health focused fundraising campaign to develop and build a purpose-built mental-health facility close to Goodison Park. Places are available to run for Everton in the Community in future BTR races.

The day’s most senior participants were 81-year-old John Courtney from Liverpool; Ronald Thornton aged 79 from Crosby; and 75-year-old Marion Hirst from Liverpool.

Next race in the BTR portfolio is the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K on Sunday 14 April 2019. Runners start in Liverpool, run under the River Mersey and through the Kingsway Tunnel, finishing at New Brighton. Enter online here.