Ex-Liverpool players to run 5km in memory of Hillsborough victims

News imagePaul Francis Cooper/BTR Liverpool Former Liverpool stars Jamie Carragher and Chris Kirkland wearing running gear and Run for the 97 medals in Liverpool's Stanley Park. Kirkland is holding up a blue Run for the 97 shirt. They are both smiling.Paul Francis Cooper/BTR Liverpool
Former Liverpool star Chris Kirkland (pictured with Jamie Carragher) said the Run for the 97 was "incredibly special"

Two former Liverpool footballers Jamie Carragher and Chris Kirkland are among the runners taking part in a race to celebrate the lives of fans who died as a result of the Hillsborough disaster.

More than 1,400 runners are signed up to this year's BTR Run For The 97.

The annual event - now in its 12th year - was set up to honour the 97 Liverpool football fans who died following the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989.

The club's former goalkeeper Kirkland said was "incredibly special" to take part in the race.

More than 100 virtual runners have also registered, including international participants taking part Australia, Canada, Demark, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the USA.

Hillsborough family members and justice campaigners Margaret Aspinall, Steve Kelly, and Sue Roberts have all been involved since the event began.

Since it was first staged, Run For The 97 has helped to raise over £45,000 for good causes in the city.

Alan Rothwell, BTR Liverpool Founder, said: "Run For The 97 is an incredibly special event, and we invite people to join us to walk, jog, or run to remember The 97. Hillsborough is something that as a city and football supporters, red and blue, we will never forget."

Timings

The 5km (3.1 mile) fun run starts at 09:30 BST followed by the 1 mile run at approximately 10:30.

The route

The 5km route takes runners through Stanley Park. After about 2km it exits the park and runners follow the route around the outside of the park, passing Goodison Park, Priory Road and the Arkles Lane heading for Anfield.

​As runners pass along Anfield Road the route then turns left to pass the Eternal Flame before performing a U-turn to head back into Stanley Park for the finish.

Any travel advice?

Organisers advise runners to arrive in plenty of time and for drivers to head to the Stanley Park car park.

Are there any road closures?

No. Most of the run is within the grounds of Stanley Park or off road with roads in the route only being restricted, so there are no full closures in place.

Is there anything else happening on the day?

There will be family activities including Soccer Skills with Liverpool FC Foundation and a donation point for Fans Supporting Foodbanks a joint initiative between Liverpool and Everton supporters to tackle food poverty - where people can drop off non-perishable food items.

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