There’s still time to enter the Mersey Tunnel 10k happening this weekend

The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K returns to its Spring date next weekend for the 2023 staging of the race.

The 17^th staging of the Mersey Tunnel 10K will take place on Sunday 16 April, starting at 9.30am in Liverpool city centre. The route will then take runners through the Kingsway Tunnel, along the Wirral coastline before finishing in New Brighton.

More than 1,300 entries have already been taken. Places are limited at 1,500 places so registration will close once numbers are at capacity.

The race is the only time throughout the year when people can make their way through the Kingsway Tunnel on foot and run under the River Mersey – making it one of the most unique running events in the country.

The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K returns to its traditional April date this year. The race has been staged each year since 2006, with the exception of 2020 during the pandemic when there was a break of almost two-and-a-half-years between races.

Post pandemic, the race returned and was staged in September both in 2021 and 2022. But this year, it’s back to Spring and takes place one week before the London Marathon. The race was last staged in April in 2019.

The race proves popular with runners tapering for the marathon in the capital, those looking for a race with a difference, or others chasing a new 10K personal best.

The Mersey Tunnel 10K returned to the North West running calendar in 2006 at the request of Mersey Tunnels, with BTR Liverpool taking on the mantle to organise and deliver the event.

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing and delivering headline race events across Liverpool City Region.

The point-to-point race starts in Liverpool city centre taking runners straight into the Kingsway Tunnel. The route also includes Seacombe Promenade, Fort Perch Rock and Marine Lake, before finishing on Ian Fraser Walk in New Brighton overlooking the River Mersey.

Finishers will be presented with a commemorative medal and bespoke technical running T-shirt.

The extensive BTR Liverpool race portfolio features various distances across different terrains, all with an ongoing commitment to sustainability. Events also include the Port Sunlight Road Race, Wirral 10K, Tour Of Merseyside, and Liverpool Santa Dash.

BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell explained:

“The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K always attracts new people coming to experience the race for the first time, alongside regulars who just relish the atmosphere and challenge. It’s a unique race and the only time you can go through the Kingsway Tunnel on foot.

“It’s great to be back at the traditional Spring date. It’s always been regarded as an excellent event for local runners, heading to London the following week, to use the race as a steady taper distance. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the start line on 16 April for another exciting race. Don’t forget to join in with the cheers of oggy oggy oggy along the way – especially as you head through the Tunnel.”

Last month’s BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race kick-started a busy 2023 race calendar for BTR Liverpool, which will see three of its headline events reaching major milestones during the year.

The overall event campaign is dubbed as 30/20/10 – 30 Years, A Life On The Run, and focuses on the hat-trick of key events all spearheaded by Alan’s passion for running from an early age.

The female record was set in 2019 by Kirsty Longley from Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Harriers in 36 minutes 19 seconds. Kirsty broke the record she had previously set in 2017 by knocking a further 30 seconds off her time. Senior runners taking part are aged between 73 and 82-years-old.

Full details and online entry for the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K can be found here.