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THOUSANDS
TAKE TO THE STREETS FOR THE LARGEST LIVERPOOL HALF MARATHON
THE 'Born To Run'
event was staged on St Patrick's Day,17 March 2013. It was the largest Liverpool Half Marathon in the
City since the race started 20 years ago. This fantastic run was enjoyed by local
and international visitors, who took part and by those who just
watched.
The race was officially started by local, life-long Wirral runner,
Eddie Mountford, who turns 90 year old in April. After a long and
distinguished career as an amateur runner, it was a fitting tribute
to start the 2013 event.
Eddie said:- "I love Liverpool and the atmosphere was
fantastic. I have participated in over 30 marathons and the crowds
make it special and spur you on. The people who have turned out
today for the half marathon will create great energy to support the
runners. People from all over the world come to this City for events
like this, and when they see it, they take back with them their
experience and that's what puts Liverpool on the map, it's
wonderful."
The event attracted 8,400 entries with an increase of 800 from 2012,
with the furthest travelled participants from Brazil, Canada and New
Zealand, and most European countries were represented. The largest
contingent was from Ireland, with many celebrating St Patricks Day
by wearing fancy dress.
Many charities once again took part to raise much needed funds,
including the Oliver King Foundation. Mark King, Oliver's dad
commented:- "Its events like this that helps us in raising
awareness for our campaign to introduce defibrillators into schools
and public buildings across the region. We'd like to thank our
runners for taking part and their fundraising efforts along with
everyone who has supported us, its been a great day."
As the sun broke through the rain clouds, it was Josh Lilly who
claimed 1st place at 01:02:23, followed closely by Tomas Abyu in 2nd
and with Bartosz Mazerski in 3rd place. The 1st female was Linda
Howell coming in at 01:22:29; Rachael Tewkesbury in 2nd and Margaret
Sykes in 3rd place.
A Liverpool marine, Andy Grant, who lost his leg after an explosion
in Afghanistan, took part in the race, raising funds for Help The
Heroes. Andy said:- "Its been a humbling experience to have
experienced so much support from runners and the crowds during the
race. I'm delighted to have achieved this personal challenge and
made up that I had the opportunity to do it in Liverpool."
Andy has already raised £1,700 by participating in the race and he
was supported by his partner and 2 children on the finish line. He
further remarked:- "It was amazing approaching the finish
line, the day has been very memorable."
Alan Rothwell, BTR Race Director, said:- "It's great to see
our events program grow and the half marathon has gone from strength
to strength. We welcome new runners and it's our aim this year to
encourage more people to 'get going,' with the introduction of new
events, as well as to encourage more people to have a go at the more
challenging races. The feedback from the runners today has been very
positive and that the important part, that they enjoy it. It's been
a great day."
Also organisers said:- "We would like to thank all the
volunteers, along with St John Ambulance, the local Army Cadet Force
and Air Cadet Force, Paramount Security and Merseyside Police, as
without their help our event would not have been able to take
place."
To see the rest of our
photograpic coverage, plus some video footage of the event,
click on
here now!
Did you take part? If
you did take part, let us know what you thought of the event by
emailing are newsroom today via:-
news24@southportreporter.com.
Race entries are already open for the 2014 event and more
information about this race along with next year's can be found on:-
btrliverpool.com.
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