A newly launched Liverpool premium sportswear brand has joined forces with the city’s leading race organiser for a major 2026 partnership.
Canvas Athletic has been named an official partner of BTR Liverpool for its 2026 event calendar, with both organisations set to work together to strengthen and grow the regional running community over the next 12 months.
Canvas Athletic to kit out pacers for 15,000-runner Half Marathon
The partnership will begin with the sold-out and biggest-ever Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race on Sunday 15 March, which is set to welcome 15,000 runners to the city.
For 2026, the event will feature a new start location at Hill Dickinson Stadium, home of Everton Football Club.
Canvas Athletic will kit out the official pacer team in branded sportswear, helping runners easily identify and stay with their target time groups on race day.
The brand will continue sponsoring pacers across BTR’s 2026 event season.
Canvas Athletic Co-founder Kieran Owens said:
“We’re proud to partner with BTR Liverpool and Run For All, starting with the Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race, and continuing our collaboration throughout the 2026 event season.
“Being part of these massively popular races, meeting new faces, and supporting runners as they chase personal bests or take on new challenges is exactly why we exist.
“To play a regular part in the runner journey means everything to us.
“Canvas Athletic is built around community. We are all about lifting those around us through a shared love of sport and moment.
“Each day gives you a blank canvas. Show up, leave your mark. Our message is no blank days. It’s a mindset.
“A commitment to approach each day with intention, to take a step forward, however small, and to encourage others to do the same.
“This is about progress, not perfection. Step by step. Together. See you on race day.”
Monthly run club collaboration to build a stronger community
Beyond race-day involvement, the partnership will also focus on grassroots engagement.
Canvas Athletic, based in Cleveland Square in Liverpool city centre, hosts a weekly 5K run club titled Never Miss A Monday.
Starting and finishing at the brand’s base at 6 pm each week, the coach-led session has already begun to build momentum within the local fitness community.
As part of the collaboration, there will be a monthly BTR Liverpool takeover of Never Miss A Monday, allowing BTR runners to train together outside of race events and become part of the wider Canvas Athletic community.
Full details will be shared via social media channels.
BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell said:
“It is inspiring to be working alongside a new Liverpool-based premium sports brand from its infancy, and we’re excited to see how Canvas Athletic will grow, develop, and establish itself in the community.
“The specially designed pacer kit looks fantastic, and will enable runners to find and stay with their chosen time group with ease.
“We’re excited about the monthly BTR Liverpool and Never Miss A Monday take-over, this will be a great addition to the runner experience.
“We look forward to welcoming familiar faces to join this new community and enjoy a run together between race events.”
BTR Liverpool’s 2026 portfolio also includes the Mersey Tunnel 10K in April, Run For The 97 5K and 1 Mile in May, Port Sunlight Road Race in June, Women’s 10K and 5K Liverpool in September, Wirral 10K in October, and Liverpool Santa Dash in December.
The new partnership signals a shared commitment to performance, progress and community as both organisations look ahead to a busy year of running across the Liverpool City Region.
