Southport and Mersey Reporter  Link to a news item on your local online newspaper for Merseyside (UK).

Updated news stories weekly. Published online only.

Your online newspaper. Your words.

Issue:- Saturday, 25 July 2015

BTR Tour Of Merseyside 2016 Sells Out In 8 Hours
Photos by Paul Francis Cooper

THE BTR Tour Of Merseyside (TOM) 2015 was brought to an exciting close after a week of races totally 52 miles; with places for the 2016 event selling out the very next day in only 8 hours. The 7 day event, held over 5 July to 11 July 2015, featured 6 races of varying terrain in different locations across Merseyside, covering a total of 52 miles. The sold out event featuring 300 participants saw a total of 269 runners complete the challenge to become fully fledged Tourists, with the field split between 177 males and 92 females.

For the 3rd successive year, Manchester based Anthony Taylor took 1st place in the overall Tour. He completed his hat trick Tour in 4:57:32; smashing the 5 hour barrier for the 1st time in the event's 3 year history and setting a TOM course record. Taylor was chased all week by Tour newcomer Terence Forrest, from Cairngorm Runners, who proved popular with his fellow Tourists with his unique style of running; starting at the back of the race field and then racing through to the front of the pack. Forrest took 2nd place with 5:04:52. The pair have gone head to head in a number of other races this year, including the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K. Taylor took 1st place in the Tour's first race, Southport ˝ Marathon, and remained ahead for the rest of the week; providing plenty of friendly rivalry and banter between the pair all week. 3rd male was Slava Osipovs, who also returned for his 3rd TOM, recording a time of 5:12:25. Osipovs took 5th place in 2013 and 2nd place in 2014.

For the females, the leaderboard changed on an almost daily basis. Last year's winning lady Liverpool Harriers' Jenny Clague was in the overall lead all week until she fell ill and sadly pulled out of the 5th race and overall Tour. The top podium place for the ladies was taken by Tour newcomer Natasha Sheel from Serpentine RC in 6:05:43. 2nd place was returning Tourist Gillian Verdin from Liverpool Running Club in 6:17:31, setting her own TOM personal best. She was followed by Tour newcomer Sarah Carroll from Oldham Royton Harriers AC in 6:21:49.

Prizes were awarded during a special celebration event at Camp And Furnace in Liverpool, following the final race.

The 1st BTR Tour Of Merseyside took place in July 2013 with 73 Tourists completing the inaugural event. Last year, the field more than doubled with 161 finishers. The 2015 TOM start list included 29 of the original Team of 2013, who are the 1st runners to complete a Tour hat trick, including only 7 females. A total of 24 will return for their 4th successive year in 2016. The Tour 2016 has already sold out. Entries opened the day after the 2015 Tour, held on Sunday, 12 July 2015, and within 8 hours all 350 places had been taken. This year's event took 2 weeks to sell out. ...continued...

...continued... The challenge started with Southport ˝ Marathon, where runners were guests of Vital Events. This was followed by 6 miles of beach, woods and trail in Thurstaston; 10 miles on the Sustrans Loopline in Walton; 5 miles in Hale Village; 6 miles cross country at Stadt Moers in Knowsley; with a 12 mile Wirral coastal run completing the Tour.

The runners even opted for fancy dress for the Hale leg of the Tour, despite the scorching weather conditions. They were given a warm welcome by Lord Mayor Of Hale Village, Paul Turton, who started the race and later congratulated runners as they finished the line.

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing and delivering headline race events in Liverpool City Region. Its growing portfolio includes the Mersey Tunnel 10K; Wirral ˝ Marathon/10K; Port Sunlight 10K/5K; Vitality Liverpool ˝ Marathon; and the Liverpool Santa Dash.

The BTR Tour Of Merseyside is the brainchild of BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell, commented:- "What a phenomenal week, it totally surpassed all our expectations, for both the BTR Team and the field of 300 runners. The Tourists completely embraced the challenge, and 52 miles is no mean feat for any runner. The pure grit, determination and sheer enjoyment shown by all; even through the most challenging races of the Tour; has been nothing short of inspirational and a joy to watch. Strong bonds and friendships are formed and this is what makes the running community so welcoming. The Tourists had extra fun along the way and opted for fancy dress at Hale, the shortest race of the week. They certainly made the effort with so many creative costumes in such hot weather conditions. We have to say a big thank you to the Lord Mayor for being such a great sport, his encouragement gave the runners an extra boost through what is a very long and challenging week. The 2016 Tour is only the fourth successive event, so for all 350 places to have sold out in eight hours is incredible. Thank you to the runners and volunteers who make the Tour Of Merseyside such a special and unique event in the running calendar."

As well as unattached runners and charity runners, there was a huge club presence on Tour from across the region. These included:- Fylde Coast Runners; Helsby RC; Kirkby Milers; Knowsley Harriers; Liverpool Running Club; Mersey Tri; Penny Lane Striders; Pensby Road Runners; Sale Harriers Manchester; Skelmersdale Boundary Harriers; Southport Waterloo AC; Wirral AC; Spectrum Striders RC; Wallasey AC; West Cheshire AC; and Wigan District Harriers AC. The Tourists were joined by over 75 guest runners during the races at Thurstaston, Hale and New Brighton.

Next in the BTR race calendar is a mini tour covering 26 miles. The BTR Whistle Stop Tour Of Wirral is from 11 September to 13 September 2015, incorporating the award winning BTR Wirral ˝ Marathon.

BTR recently won the title of Event Of The Year at the Wirral Tourism Awards 2015 for the Wirral ˝ Marathon/10K. Did you take part? If you did let us know via emailing us to news24@southportreporter.com.

	Sign up to our Daily Email News Service by clicking here now...
	Did you know we where the UK's 1st online only newspaper and we still are? Here at Southport and Mersey Reporter we are still at leading the way for local news.	All email addresses and information is held under the UK's Data Protection Act.

Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

..Paid Advert..

Contact us:- *(+44)* 08443 244 195 *Calls will cost 7p per minute, plus your telephone company's access charge.* Calls to this number may be recorded for security, broadcast, training and record keeping.
	RSS Weekly Headline Update Notices

News24@SouthportReporter.com

4a Post Office Ave, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 0US, UK

	*This online newspaper and information service is regulated by IMPRESS* the independent monitor for the UK's press.**	How to make a complaint
	This is our process:- Complaints Policy - Complaints Procedure - Whistle Blowing Policy