The numbers are coming for the 2013 Half Marathon with more than 5,000 entries taken by the first week in January – so it’s likely the race limit of 8,000 will be reached this year.
Since returning to the city centre some four years ago the event has grown each year and anyone who took part last year will have noticed just how tight the start line was on the waterfront road.
The good news is that after much discussion the start and finish area can move to the Pier Head which give everyone a bit of room to breathe, especially on the start line.
It is reassuring to see the race develop each year as it indicates the running community on Merseyside is in good health. With the new start and finish location comes the inevitable course re-measure and our good friend Brian Grice and myself will be out measuring the course between now and 17th March to ensure absolute accuracy on the day.
Another important point to note is the earlier start time of 9.00am which has been brought about by the high tide times on race day and the need for access and egress of sailing craft at the yacht club just before the (new) 12 mile point. The Marina and Yacht Club have been very helpful in recent years in allowing us the use of the Marina bridge and I think it is only fair we compromise by 30 minutes this year as it does help them with the timing of their own race for which they will need access on to the river from around midday. Hopefully most of you will have past the 12 mile point by then!
Are you an ever present?
In a chance conversation with local runner James Doolan he happened to mention he had taken part every Liverpool Half Marathon since it started back in 1994. That’s some achievement and it’s matched by just one other participant, Stephen Symons from Manchester Salford Harriers. This has prompted the question … Are you an ever present in the Liverpool Half Marathon? If you are then we would love to hear from you!!
Drop us a line at info@btrliverpool.com
