Places for the 2017 BTR Tour of Merseyside sold out in four hours after this year’s running event brought a “week of excitement” to the region.

Taking place for a fourth year, the six-race tour saw 300 participants – known as tourists – take on 52 miles as races were held in Southport, Thurstaston, Walton and Otterspool Promenade in Liverpool, Knowsley and Wirral.

The event, which came to a close with a prize-giving celebration at Camp and Furnace in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, attracted participants from a host of the Liverpool City Region’s running clubs including the Kirkby Miles, Knowsley Harriers, Liverpool Harriers AC, Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Harriers AC, Liverpool Running Club, Mossley Hill RC, Penny Lane Striders, Pensby Runners, Skelmersdale Boundary Harriers, Southport Waterloo AC, Spectrum Striders RC, St Helens Striders, Warrington Running Club and Wirral AC.

Manchester’s Anthony Taylor, who won the male title for three successive years, took third place at the 2016 event with Terence Forrest from Carngorm Runners taking the top spot. Second place male was Ian Moran from Liverpool Harriers AC.

Jenny Clague from Liverpool Harriers AC, who also won back in 2014, took the female title this year.

Victoria Jones from Liverpool Sefton Pembroke Harriers finished in second place with Lauren Morley from Shrewsbury AC in third.

After this year’s event sold out a year in advance, the 2017 Tour of Merseyside will see the number of runners increase to 400 with no reserve list.

BTR race director, Alan Rothwell created the event and says: “The Tour of Merseyside never fails to inspire me. What an incredible week of excitement, anticipation, nerves and laughs.

“Having the 2017 sell out in just four hours is testament to the Tourists, volunteers and spectators who all play such a huge part in making the tour such a special experience.

“The BTR Team would like to say a heartfelt thank you for all being such an integral part of the Tour of Merseyside.”

The BTR Footsteps Fundraisers charities – Radio City’s Cash for Kids, Everton in the Community and Zoe’s Place – will benefit from money raised during this year’s Tour of Merseyside.

Images courtesy of Paul Francis Cooper/BTR Liverpool

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