Community legacy event Run For The 97 has been officially launched for 2025 with 1,200 participants already signed up.
The countdown is on to Saturday 24 May when red and blue football supporters will walk, jog, or run side by side in Stanley Park for the 11th staging of the special day. The 5K fun run starts at 9.30am, followed by a 1 Miler at approximately 10.30am.
The event takes place in Stanley Park, located between Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium and Everton FC’s Goodison Park. This will be the final time before The Toffees make the move to Bramley-Moore Dock.
The launch took place at Hotel Tia on Anfield Road, a Liverpool FC inspired boutique hotel just a stone’s throw from Anfield Stadium and Stanley Park. The launch was hosted by Ragnhild Lund Ansnes, Director of Hotel Tia.
This year’s official charity partners are Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation; Liverpool Football Club’s official club charity LFC Foundation; and Stanley Park junior parkrun and its two sister parkruns at The Mystery Park in Wavertree and Derby Park in Bootle.
The Just Giving page is here.
Last year’s event attracted 1,500 participants. Organisers BTR Liverpool anticipate this year’s number will surpass that figure with just under three weeks to go.
Online registration can be found here which includes virtual entries.
Run For The 97 is organised and delivered by BTR Liverpool, the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region.
Its portfolio includes the BTR Liverpool Half Marathon, BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K, BTR Liverpool Santa Dash, and BTR Tour Of Merseyside.
The launch also saw guests officially unveil this year’s choice of red or blue T-shirts for 5K runners, which participants can choose when they register online. Those taking part in Stanley Park will collect their top on event morning to wear for the fun run.
Special guests at the launch included Hillsborough family members and Hillsborough Law campaigners Margaret Aspinall, Steve Kelly, and Sue Roberts.
They were joined by former Liverpool FC players Jamie Carragher, representing his 23 Foundation charity; and former goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who is also an Ambassador for LFC Foundation.
The charities were also represented by Matt Parish, Chief Executive of LFC Foundation; Jo Gibson from Stanley Park junior parkrun; and Mark Finch from The Mystery Park junior parkrun.
Guests also included BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell; Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram; and Dave Kelly, co-founder of Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
Fans Supporting Foodbanks will once again attend Run For The 97 to collect donations of non-perishable food items. This has proved extremely successful in previous years with runners and spectators being incredibly generous – and the collection team leaving with a full van to help support the local community.
In Demand Radio is the event’s Official Media Partner. Event day stage hosts Claire Simmo and Graeme White attended the launch to meet guests and support the event.
Jamie Carragher commented:
“It’s so fitting that we have Run For The 97 to always remember, and we always will do. It’s a really good way to encourage everyone to get out and be active for a very good cause.
“Being in Stanley Park is very special, right in the heart of our football community between our two great football clubs. And even more so this year – this will be the final time we have Run For The 97 between Anfield and Goodison, with it being Everton’s last season at Goodison Park.”
The 5K accessible route takes runners through Stanley Park, along Walton Lane, Priory Road, Arkles Lane, back into the park before passing the Eternal Flame on 97 Avenue at Anfield Stadium, before heading to the finish line in the middle of the park.
Run For The 97 was first staged in 2015 as a positive inclusive event to celebrate and honour the lives of the 97 Liverpool Football Club fans who died at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989. This year’s anniversary marked the 36th anniversary of the disaster.
The event also remembers the families of The 97 and the survivors, who have since tirelessly fought for justice with the utmost dignity. They continue to campaign for a Hillsborough Law.
Hillsborough family members and justice campaigners Margaret Aspinall, Steve Kelly, and Sue Roberts have all been involved since the event began.
Margaret Aspinall is the former Chair of the now disbanded Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG), she lost her 18-year-old son James at Hillsborough. Steve Kelly lost his brother Michael, aged 38. Steve helped to create and shape the event. Sue Roberts, former HFSG Secretary, lost her 24-year-old brother Graham in the disaster. Sue has been a big supporter of the event.
Charity partners 23 Foundation, LFC Foundation, and trio of junior parkruns across Liverpool support the vision of creating a legacy to honour The 97, while ensuring local communities benefit through their work. Funds will be split equally between the charities for vital community outreach programmes.
The event provides a platform for participants to fundraise or to make a one-off charity donation. Since it was first staged, Run For The 97 has helped to raise over £45,000 for good causes in the city.
The entry fee pays to stage and deliver all aspects of the event including run numbers, T-shirts, medals, virtual entries, event day staging and safety measures, and runner facilities.
BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell added:
“This is the 11th staging of Run For The 97, and it becomes more poignant with each year. The launch embodied everything the event is about – community, legacy, inspiration, positivity, and real strength.
“I’d encourage participants to support the three official charities – 23 Foundation, LFC Foundation, and the trio of junior parkruns at Stanley Park, The Mystery Park in Wavertree, and Derby Park in Bootle. This is a huge part of the event legacy, to support vital work and programmes in the community, all while encouraging positive health choices and wellbeing. Together this all makes a huge difference to so many lives.
“The event is open to everyone and, because it’s not a competitive race, it’s heartwarming to see so many people walk, jog, or run purely to be part of the community legacy. Let’s come together on 24 May as we Run To Remember The 97.”
Run For The 97 has continued every year since 2015. During the pandemic it went ahead as a virtual run in 2020 and 2021, ensuring people could still support the cause and fundraise.
The virtual run option has continued, allowing football fans across the UK and further afield to support the event. They are sent their run number, T-shirt, and medal direct so they can still feel part of the day.
For full details about the event, visit the website.
READ MORE: Liverpool to welcome Queen Anne for Cunard’s 185th anniversary celebrations
