THE 11th Port Sunlight road race is this weekend - with the highest number of entries since it has been staged post-pandemic.
The event, on Sunday (June 9), will feature a 5K at 10am and 10K at 11am followed by a 1K fun run for youngsters aged 12 and under.
It is organised and delivered by BTR Liverpool in conjunction with Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT). The headline sponsor for the event will be Unilever.
Volunteers are welcome to help on the day. If you want to join them, email erica@btrliverpool.com for more details.
The 5K will start at 10am, followed by the 10K at 11am. The 5K route takes runners along the tree-lined boulevards and gardens of Port Sunlight village. The 10K follows two laps of the 5K route.
The competitive races will be followed by a 1K Fun Run for youngsters aged 12 and under. Almost 80 youngsters are already registered.
A group of 115 runners from Unilever Port Sunlight – appropriately named the Sunlight Runners – will pull on their trainers on the day.
The 5K Port Sunlight Road Race record was set by Joseph Boden from Wallasey AC in 2019 with a time of 15 minutes 28 seconds.
The female 5K record was set by Helen Sahgal from Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton Harriers in 2018 with 18 minutes 13 seconds.
The 10K record is 30 minutes 19 seconds, set by Dejene Gezimu from Liverpool Harriers in 2016. The female 10K record was set in 2016 by Sophie Whiteside, also from Liverpool Harriers, with a time of 36 minutes 42 seconds.
The day's most senior runners range in age between 77 and 83-years-old and are running in the 5K, 10K, or dual race.
Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) is an independent charity and custodian of Port Sunlight, working to help protect the heritage, ensure a great quality of life for people, and promote understanding of Port Sunlight’s global value and relevance.
Jean Milton, director of heritage at Port Sunlight Village Trust, said: “It is great news that Port Sunlight Road Race has once again sold out.
"It's a fantastic and unique way to attract new and returning visitors to our stunning village. Seeing the village thrive with runners and supporters is a wonderful sight each year.
"Thank you to Unilever Port Sunlight for their continued support as headline sponsor. Good luck to everyone taking part."
Unilever today continues to have world class manufacturing, research and development (R&D), and IT facilities based in Port Sunlight. Unilever’s brands – including Persil, Dove, Tresemme, Radox, Comfort and Surf – can be found in 98% of households in the UK.
Cameron Jones, head of Unilever Port Sunlight, added: "Unilever Port Sunlight is thrilled to be part of the event for the ninth consecutive year.
"We are very much committed to promoting health and wellbeing, so Port Sunlight Road Race is a great fit as we work in partnership with Port Sunlight Village Trust and BTR Liverpool to stage the event. Good luck to the Sunlight Runners, have a great race."
Volunteer teams on the day include Birkenhead Park Running Club, Claire House Children’s Hospice, Marsh Lane Harriers, and members of the Merseyside running community.
BTR Liverpool is an independent organisation that creates and manages headline race events across Liverpool City Region.
Its race portfolio includes the 52-mile BTR Tour Of Merseyside, starting on June 30 with races in Thurstaston and New Brighton, and the BTR Wirral 10K on Sunday, October 13.
Full details about BTR events can be found at www.btrliverpool.com
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