Full details at BTR Liverpool website
Wirral Coast - a fitting and iconic finish to a gruelling challenge. This year’s female winner, Jenny Clague, said that her interest in the event was piqued after hearing such glowing feedback from fellow club runners: “A couple of my training partners had competed in the Tour in 2013 and had brilliant reports about it, how it was challenging but very rewarding at the same time. They also told me how unique it was in that all the other competitors encouraged and supported each other. It was exactly these things and more besides that meant I enjoyed the whole experience.”
Liverpool Harrier Jenny led the female competition from the outset and said the format of the Tour is different to anything she has ever encountered before: “It’s totally different to any event as you would never normally do two races in one week never mind six. So you physically and mentally had to get yourself prepared to race every night. Having the support and understanding of all the other runners really helped. The event organisers did a brilliant job in assisting us all, they kept us upbeat and provided recovery foods and drinks and pre and post race massage!” While securing a convincing victory, Jenny
said that the time shared with the other runners was her highlight of the Tour: “This was the best part of the competition, the respect the athletes had for each other was incredible, everyone helped, encouraged and supported one another, every night there was a lovely atmosphere. Also healthy banter so it was a good laugh too. It was like people all had there own goals they wanted to achieve, which
they took seriously but also had loads of fun.” The 2015 Tour takes on a similar profile as before and commences with the Southport Half Marathon (5 July). On offer is a fast course and the ideal way to kick-off the 52 miles. Moving across to Wirral, next up is the Thurstaston Multi-Terrain (6 July), a 6-mile challenge that takes you across track, beach, hill and dale. The following day is the 10-mile Sustrans Cycle Trail, flat and fast course along what is known locally as ‘The Ralla’ - an old railway path which is now a very popular cycle path used by many of the local community. After a day’s rest, up next is a return to the road with the Halton 5 miler (9 July), which again offers a fast route to keep the legs moving. The penultimate event is the more challenging Knowsley Cross Country (10 July), a six-mile event at Stadt Moers Park which takes runners to 40 miles. The tour culminates with the sea in sight with 12 beautiful miles along the Wirral Coast (11 July). The run begins in New Brighton starting at the end of King’s Parade and heading toward Hoylake before a turnaround on the beach and a return trip. Looking through the schedule, the tour certainly presents a tough challenge, even for seasoned club runners. When hearing more about the event - the camaraderie of the field, the support from organisers, friends and family, plus the joy of exploring the joys of Merseyside with the summer sun at your back - you get the impression that each of the 300 Tourists treasures each of those 52 miles. More information on the Tour of Merseyside is available at the BTR Liverpool website.
Images - top left and immediate left Tour Of Merseyside runner Lee Lloyd fell ill just one mile short of the 52-mile week long challenge. Not one to leave a runner behind, BTR race director Alan Rothwell and his group of Tourists met to run that last mile in Wirral with Lee once he had recovered – ensuring Lee also collected that coveted medal.
Image left won Paul Francis Cooper the Running Image of The Year Award at the Merseyside Running Community Awards
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