Almost 2,400 runners descended on Wirral picturesque village Port Sunlight today (Sunday 7 June) for the annual race day.

Port Sunlight Road Race featured two competitive timed 5K and 10K races, followed by a family friendly 1K Fun Run for youngsters aged 12 and under.

First staged in 2012, Port Sunlight Road Race is well established in the region’s race calendar.

This is the second consecutive year post Covid that the race has sold out.

Breaking Records and Claiming Podiums in the Sunshine

A new male 5K course record was set during the 2026 event by Wallasey Athletic Club runner Joseph Boden.

Overall, Wallasey Athletic Club took three top podium places in the 5K and 10K male and female placings.

Port Sunlight Road Race is organised and delivered by race organiser BTR Liverpool in conjunction with Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT).

This year marked the 13th staging of the event.

Unilever Port Sunlight supported the event as headline sponsor for the 11th consecutive year as a team of 150 Unilever Sunlight Runners took part in both races.

Almost 300 runners took part in the dual challenge, running in the 5K, followed straight after by the 10K races

All finishers were presented with a commemorative medal and T-shirt and dual challenge runners also collected a bonus third medal.

Both competitive races were followed by the 1K Fun Run featuring 250 youngsters, next year’s race date has been confirmed as Sunday 6 June 2027, entries are open here.

A total of 722 runners completed the 5K race and it was won by Joseph Boden from Wallasey Athletic Club in a time of 15 minutes 25 seconds.

Joseph already held the course record, which he set in 2019 clocking 15 minutes 28 seconds.

Seven years later in 2026, he broke his own record by three seconds.

Second place was Joshua Crombleholme from Wirral AC in 16 minutes 17 seconds, followed by third place Bradley Roberts from Liverpool Running Bugs in 16 minutes 35 seconds.

First place female in the Port Sunlight Road Race 5K 2026 was Olivia Bramwell from Wallasey Athletic Club with a time of 18 minutes 35 seconds.

Second place female was Ellie McGuinness with 19 minutes 4 seconds, followed by third place Savannah Mannhart from Warriors Pentathlon & Athletic Club in 19 minutes 13 seconds.

The 10K race saw a total of 1,425 runners complete the race and it was won by Oliver Chadwick from Wallasey Athletic Club in a time of 33 minutes.

Second place was Harry Lupton from Liverpool Harriers & AC in 33 minutes 24 seconds, with Jack Poland from Wallasey Athletic Club in third place clocking 33 minutes 34 seconds.

First place female in the Port Sunlight Road Race 10K 2026 was Nichola Cartwright with a time of 39 minutes 16 seconds.

Nichola placed second in the 10K last year, but this time round she took the top podium place and was 1 second faster than last year.

Second place was Dianna Mannhart from Warriors Pentathlon & Athletic Club in 40 minutes 9 seconds, followed by Megan Toohey with 40 minutes 56 seconds.

It was a real family occasion for 16-year-old Savannah Mannhart and Mum Dianna from Upton, Wirral.

Both took podium places, and impressively took on the dual race challenge to do so.

The day’s activities centred round Port Sunlight Village Green in the heart of the picturesque setting, next to Port Sunlight Museum with spectators and residents of Port Sunlight turned out in force to support the event.

Supporting Local Charities and Safeguarding Worker Village Heritage

Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) is an independent charity and custodian of Port Sunlight, an exemplar worker village created to support the wellbeing and productivity of the Lever Brothers soap works employees and their families.

Runners can use their race number to enjoy discounts at Port Sunlight Museum and on walking tours until the end of June.

BTR Liverpool is supporting 10 charities across the 2026 event portfolio.

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.

Alan Rothwell, BTR Liverpool Founder, commented: “Port Sunlight Road Race is one of the most unique events in the BTR Liverpool portfolio.

“The picturesque, stunning backdrop of Port Sunlight Village is the real star of event day.

“Congratulations to Joseph Boden from Wallasey Athletics Club on setting a new 5K course record, cracking his own previous time.

“Well done to all 2,400 runners, young and old.

“We hope you join us again next year on 6 June 2027.”

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