TUNNEL VISION FOR RECORD NUMBER OF MERSEY RUNNER

The biggest ever BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K was staged today (Sunday 12 April), with 3,514 runners completing the course.

This was the 20th staging of the race, which sold out two weeks ago at a record 4,100 entries. The highest number since the race was reintroduced in 2006.

The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K is one of the most unique events in the country. And race day weather conditions were almost perfect for running.

It is the only time throughout the year when people can make their way through the Kingsway Tunnel on foot – running under the River Mersey, which runs between Liverpool and Wirral.

The date for next year’s event is confirmed as Sunday 11 April 2027. Entries are open now.

The point-to-point event began in Liverpool city centre before runners made their way into the Kingsway Tunnel.

After emerging from the tunnel on the Wirral, runners raced along Seacombe Promenade to Fort Perch Rock and Marine Lake – with stunning panoramic views across to the world-famous Liverpool skyline.

Crossing the finish line on Ian Fraser Walk in New Brighton, runners were presented with their finishers’ medal and commemorative running T-shirt

The race was officially started by Tom Bosworth MBE, a two time Olympic race walker. He represented Team GB at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, and won Silver representing England at the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast in 2018.

Tom is the British record holder for a 10K race walk with a time of 39 minutes 36 seconds, set in 2015. He is also an advocate for mental health, inclusion, and equality in sport.

Tom was joined by 16-year-old Sydney Caraher from Upton who walked her first ever 10K, fundraising for alopecia treatment. She smashed her target of £1,000 on race day.

The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K 2026 was won by Joseph Boden from Wallasey AC in a time of 32 minutes 13 seconds. Second place male was Oliver Chadwick, also from Wallasey AC, in 32 minutes 35 seconds.

Dan Morgan from Lonely Goat Running Club took third place with 32 minutes 54 seconds. Dan took top podium place last year in 33 minutes 27 seconds, but this year took third place in a faster time.

First female finisher in the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K 2026 was Georgia Armitage from Penny Lane Striders with a winning time of 39 minutes 21 seconds. Second place was Savannah Mannhart in 39 minutes 53 seconds. Megan Toohey from Liverpool Running Club took place third place in 40 minutes 16 seconds.

The current BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K race record stands at 30 minutes 52 seconds, set by Dejene Gezimu from Liverpool Harriers AC in 2016.

The female record is 36 minutes 19 seconds, set by Kirsty Longley from Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Harriers AC in 2019.

Overseas runners took part visiting from Denmark, France, Ireland, Isle Of Man, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, and Wales.

This is the second sold out event for BTR Liverpool for 2026. Just four weeks ago, the biggest ever Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race took place, selling out at 15,000 places.

The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K returned to the North West running calendar in 2006 at the request of Mersey Tunnels, with BTR Liverpool taking on the mantle to organise and deliver the event.

Fondly known locally as the ‘new tunnel’, the Kingsway Tunnel was officially opened on 24 June 1971 by the late Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.

BTR Liverpool is supporting 10 charities across the 2026 event portfolio.
Fundraising runners and event volunteers represented the charities on the day.

The event charities for 2026 are Alder Hey Children’s Charity; British Heart Foundation; Claire House Children’s Hospice; Clatterbridge Cancer Charity; Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity; Liverpool Zoe’s Place; Mersey Cares; North West Air Ambulance; Open Door; and Wirral University Teaching Hospital.

Local running clubs with the largest numbers taking part included Birkenhead Park Running Club, Hoylake Road Runners, Kirkby Milers AC, Knowsley Harriers AC, Penny Lane Striders, and Wallasey AC.

BTR Liverpool is the leading organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region.

Alan Rothwell, BTR Liverpool Founder, commented: “The excitement and anticipation at the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K is always fantastic. The race has such a brilliant atmosphere – from the build-up, throughout the tunnel itself with chants of oggy oggy oggy, along Seacombe Promenade to the finish line.

“It’s always great hearing the runners talk post race about the tunnel and their own experiences, everyone has their own take on the event and how it was for them – especially running through the tunnel. It’s an unique race we’re very proud of at BTR Liverpool. A memorable experience.

“Thank you to everyone who signed up to make it a record number sell-out for 2026. We’ll be trying to smash that number again for next year – see you in 2027, entries are open.”

The BTR Liverpool annual calendar of competitive races and fun runs take place between March and December. The portfolio also includes Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race, Liverpool Santa Dash, Mersey Tunnel 10K, Port Sunlight Road Race 10K and 5K, Women’s 10K and 5K Liverpool, Wirral 10K, and Run For The 97.

In 2025, BTR Liverpool and its successful portfolio of events was acquired by Run For All. Mass participation events company Run For All is wholly owned by the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, and continues to honour her ongoing legacy.

Next up in the BTR race calendar is Run For The 97 5K and 1 Mile fun run on Saturday 23 May in Liverpool’s Stanley Park. This is followed by Port Sunlight Road Race 10K, 5K, and 1K on Sunday 7 June.