Runners were out in force and treated to perfect weather conditions for the milestone 30th staging of the BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon at the weekend.
Highly regarded as one of the region’s premier road races, the event is managed and delivered by Merseyside-based independent race event organiser BTR Liverpool.
The 13.1-mile race took place on Sunday (26 March) and included the 8th BTR Liverpool Skyline 10 Mile Road Race. Together they attracted a combined total of 4,300 runners to the start line.
The event saw new female course records being set in both races.
The date of next year’s race has been announced as Sunday 17 March. Entries are open – and 100 runners have already registered.
Next year’s event will also be twinned with another half marathon in the UK. Organiser BTR Liverpool will be announcing full details shortly.
The event 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 next two anniversary events are the 20th BTR Liverpool Santa Dash and 10th BTR Tour Of Merseyside.
First staged in 1994, the half marathon is one of the longest established races in the region and is a highlight in the North West race calendar, as well as attracting participants from across the country.
The man at the helm of BTR is Liverpool-born Race Director Alan Rothwell, who has been involved with the Liverpool Half Marathon from the very start.
This year’s 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.
Runners and spectators gathered at the grandstand start and finish line area at Pier Head Liverpool on the city’s world-famous waterfront, under the gaze of the Liver Birds and iconic Three Graces – Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building, and Port Of Liverpool Building.
Liverpool drumming band Batala Mersey gave runners a loud send-off as they crossed the start line. Later spurring them on to the finish line with their live entertainment.
The BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon was won by Ian Lawton from Prime Triathlon Coaching in a time of 1 hour 7 minutes 28 seconds.
The male half marathon course record remains in tact, set by Dejene Gezimu from Liverpool Harriers & AC in 2017 with 1 hour 5 minutes and 52 seconds.
In 2020, the race was rebranded to BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon to celebrate the city’s strong tourism offer. Famous landmarks along the route include Liverpool Cathedral, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, Sefton Park, and Museum Of Liverpool.
This year international runners travelled from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Isle Of Man, Italy, Jersey, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Republic Of Ireland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United States of America.
It was a memorable day for ever present runners Stephen Symons and Jamie Doolan. They have taken part every year and completed all BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon events. To recognise their loyalty and celebrate the achievement – BTR Liverpool has gifted Stephen and Jamie race entry for life in the event.
Fifty-seven-year-old Stephen runs for Quays Running Club in Manchester. Despite suffering a brain haemorrhage in November 2012, he still completed the next half marathon race in March 2013 accompanied by family. He has since fully recovered and continues to take part each year.
For the latest updates visit the BTR website at www.btrliverpool.com and follow BTR’s social media channels.