Sun Shines On Mersey Tunnel 10K Back After More Than 2 Years
Pictures by Paul Francis Coopers

THE BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K returned on Sunday, 26 September 2021, after a break of almost 2½ years due to the Pandemic. The event is the only time throughout the year when people can make their way through the Kingsway Tunnel on foot; making it 1 of the most unique running events in the country. Fondly known locally as the:- 'new tunnel,' it's also a milestone year for the tunnel; June marked the 50th Anniversary since it was officially opened by The Queen in 1971.

A total of 1,327 runners completed the 15th staging of the race, which started in Liverpool City Centre and finished across the River Mersey in New Brighton. The route also included Seacombe Promenade, Fort Perch Rock and the Marine Lake, before finishing on Ian Fraser Walk with views overlooking the River Mersey. The race was last staged in April 2019. It was postponed last year due to Covid19 restrictions and lockdown. Organisers BTR Liverpool implemented a series of safety measures for race day. Runners were encouraged to take a lateral flow test, as well as pick up their own water, medals, T-shirts and refreshments from tables to minimise contact with others.

Next year's event date has been confirmed as Sunday, 11 September 2022;- entries are open now at:- BTRLiverpool.com.

Male winners:-

► 1st place:- Joseph Boden from Wallasey AC won the race finishing in 32 minutes 8 seconds.

► 2nd place:- Jack McVann running for Hillingdon AC 34 minutes 27 seconds, with Francois Rafferty from Southport and Waterloo AC taking third place with a time of 34 minutes 35 seconds.

Female Winners:-

► 1st place:- Fay Hughes from UTS Run Club finishing in 38 minutes 1 second.

► 2nd place:- Carmel Edwards from BTR Road Runners in 39 minutes 22 seconds, with Felicity Newton taking third place in 42 minutes 48 seconds.

It was a case of déjà vu for female winner Fay and 2nd place Carmel; who both took the same podium places in the BTR Liverpool Skyline ½ Marathon just 2 weeks ago.

The race was started by regular BTR event runner Bex Dennehy from Crosby. It was the 1st race back for Bex after completing chemotherapy treatment. She proudly wore Race Number 1 and sounded the horn to start the race before joining in.

The 4 most senior runners on the day were aged between 75 and 82; Marie Watson aged 75 from Liverpool; 79 year old Dorothy Fairhurst from St Helens; Reg Armstrong aged 81 from Wirral; and Phil Humphreys from Wirral aged 82.

Sarah Benyon from Wirral completed the race in a wheelchair, and was raising money for Claire House Children's Hospice.

The Mersey Tunnel 10K returned to the North West race calendar in 2006 at the request of the 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.

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell commented:- "The return of the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K after 18 months was everything we were hoping for the sun even come out to shine on the runners as they crossed the finish line. The atmosphere on tunnel race day always feels a little bit different to our other races, there is a heightened anticipation especially with some running through the tunnel for the 1st time. We also have regulars who make it an annual pilgrimage. That's what makes this race incredibly unique, you can't do this any other time except on race day. A big thank you to our volunteer teams who make the race day experience very special for everyone taking part. Well done to:- 4 Coy Merseyside Army Cadet Force, Dockside Runners, Everton in the Community, and a dedicated group of helpers from across the Merseyside running community who always lend a hand when they're not running themselves."

Next up in the BTR event portfolio is Everton in the Community's If You Know Your History 5K on Sunday, 10 October 2021. This is followed by 2 Wirral events; the new Off Road 8 Miler at Thurstaston, on Saturday, 16 October, and the BTR Wirral 10 Miler and 10K, on Sunday, 31 October 2021.

The final BTR event of 2021 is the festive spectacular Appreciate Group Liverpool Santa Dash, on Sunday, 5 December 2021. Full race information and online entry can be found by visiting:- BRRLiverpool.com.

Hospitality and leisure expected to contribute an additional ₤465m to the North West economy this year following sharp rebound

NEW research by Barclays Corporate Banking reveals that the hospitality and leisure industry is thriving again and could contribute ₤465m more to the North West's economy this year than in 2019. In a new thought leadership report, Leisure Rediscovered, Barclays' data shows that the vast majority of hospitality and leisure businesses (91%) in the Region are confident about their growth prospects for this year following a post lockdown surge in trade. Based on projected sales figures for the period from April to December 2021, when the hospitality sector has largely been open again, this equates to ₤3.5bn more in national Gross Value Added (GVA) than in the equivalent period in 2019.

The research reveals new patterns in the way people are accessing hospitality and leisure services and changing consumer habits. For example, although restrictions on foreign travel have eased substantially in the past couple of weeks, staycation tourism could be here to say with 45% of consumers in the North West prioritising UK holidays over those abroad. The most popular destinations are the Lake District, the South West of England and the Scottish Highlands.

Barclays Corporate Banking estimates that, if a preference for UK holidays continues at the same rate in 2022, it will add up to ₤9.2bn to the UK's domestic tourism market. The report also shows that significant numbers of consumers are prioritising hospitality and leisure products that are offer health and wellbeing benefits, strong sustainability credentials, or which come with particularly strong safety and hygiene standards.

On average, consumers in the North West are prepared to pay 18.7% extra for healthier food and drink options, and 17.6% for holiday accommodation that includes health and wellbeing services such as a gym or spa. All (100%) hospitality and leisure operators in the area are now prioritising:- 'healthy' products among their portfolios.

At a national level, while eating out or drinking, those aged 16 to 24 would be prepared to pay a premium of 35%, on average, for products with strong sustainability credentials. The average premium for 25 to 35 year olds is 30%. Meanwhile, a sustainable holiday experience is worth 39% more to the youngest group, and 32% for 25s-to-35s.

Unsurprisingly, many consumers in the North West are expressing strong preferences for services that are safe and hygienic. In fact, customers would pay an extra 21%, on average, to eat and drink in venues with particularly strong standards. Across the UK, the 16 to 24 age group would pay an average of 39% extra, while those aged 25 to 35 would pay 33% more.

Mike Saul, Head of Hospitality and Leisure at Barclays Corporate Banking, commented:- "After a very difficult period for the hospitality sector, it is great to see how well the sector has bounced back. Our findings show an industry brimming with confidence and buoyed by surging revenues. However, it is also an industry that is undergoing a substantial amount of change - from the customers it serves to the products it sells. We have uncovered strong evidence that, particularly for younger customers, operators will need to place increased focus on healthy, sustainable and safe product ranges and to maintain investment in data and technology. Whilst the industry is navigating some short term challenges around supply chains and labour shortages, operators that prioritise these areas will be an incredibly strong position for the long term."

Other findings from the Leisure Rediscovered report show that, across the UK:-

► Tech is a firmly rooted part of the sector's proposition: 36% of businesses are earning more from ecommerce than ever.

► Collaboration is 1 of the big success stories of the Pandemic, with 88% of operators now joining forces with their local peers to share data and offer joint deals.

► 42% of spas are seeing more men come through their doors and more younger customers are using holiday lets (47%) and holiday parks (40%)

► The lure of local hospitality is strong: 41% of consumers say they are now more drawn to go out for entertainment in their local neighbourhoods than further afield.

► The delivery boom has not subsided since the Pandemic, with 4 in 10 businesses reporting continued popularity of home delivery and click and collect services.