Runners were treated to perfect weather conditions for the milestone 30th staging of the BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon on 20 March. The 13.1-mile race ran alongside the the 8th BTR Liverpool Skyline 10 Mile Road Race and together they attracted a combined total of 4,300 runners with female course records being set in both races!

The Half Marathon was won by Ian Lawton from Prime Triathlon Coaching in a time of 1:07:28 with second place going to Corrin Leeming in 1:07:55. Matthew Crehan from St Helens Sutton AC was third in 1:08:44. First female finisher in the Half Marathon was Caroline Brenchley in 1:17:54 – setting a new female course record by 1:44. Second place was Niamh Donnelly from Liverpool Harriers & AC in 1:22:44, with third place Lianne Milner finishing in 1:23:37.
 
Winner of the 10 Mile Road Race was Stephen Campbell from Liverpool Harriers & AC in 54:40 – taking the honour for a second consecutive year. Last year Stephen set a new 10-mile course record with his time of 52:23. Second place was Elliot Kerins from Penny Lane Striders in 56:05 and third place was Daniel Lowe from Shettleston Harriers in 59:19.

First female finisher in the 10 miler was Sarah Carroll from Salford Harriers in 1:05:01 – setting a new female course record by 3 seconds! Second place was Joanne Harrison from Penny Lane Striders in 1:08 minutes, with  teammate Felicity Pawling finishing third in 1:08:39.

It was a memorable day for ever present runners Stephen Symons and Jamie Doolan. They have taken part every year and completed all BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon events. To recognise their loyalty and celebrate the achievement – BTR Liverpool has now gifted Stephen and Jamie race entry for life in the event.

57-year-old Stephen said:“I’ve never missed a Liverpool Half Marathon in 30 years – and now a number of team mates from Quays Running Club join me for the race. I keep coming back because of the excellent organisation by BTR Liverpool, it’s an extremely enjoyable course starting and finishing at the world-famous waterfront, you take in so many landmarks along the way, and the finish is on the banks of the River Mersey. Plus one more year and I’ll have a different T-shirt for each year for each day of the month."

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell summed up the milestone event: “What an electric atmosphere to mark the 30th staging of this epic race. I’m sure that will continue through to next year’s event on 17 March 2024 – St Patrick’s Day. We thank every runner, spectator, and volunteer who, in memorable style, helped to kick-start this remarkable year of milestones for BTR Liverpool. They are all part of what makes BTR running events special."

Next year’s event will be twinned with another half marathon in the UK with organisers announcing full details shortly. More information about 2024's event at the BTR Liverpool website.

Image: Paul Francis Cooper/BTR Liverpool