-
Inclusive family fun run is on Saturday 23 May 2026
-
Guests include former LFC players Jamie Carragher and Chris Kirkland
-
Charity partners are Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation, LFC Foundation, and trio of junior parkruns in Liverpool and Bootle
-
Event will include soccer skills, event warm-up from junior parkrun, and Fans Supporting Foodbanks donation point
More than 1,400 people have already registered for the 12th staging of community legacy event Run For The 97.
This year’s family fun run takes place in less than two weeks on Saturday 23 May in Stanley Park.
Red and blue football supporters will walk, jog, or run to remember The 97. The 5K fun run starts at 9.30am, followed by the 1 Miler at approximately 10.30am.
Final places are available at https://www.btrliverpool.com/97-5k-event – online entries are due to close this week so people are advised not to miss out.
More than 100 virtual runners have registered, including international participants taking part Australia, Canada, Demark, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the USA.
This year’s official charity partners are Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation; Liverpool Football Club’s official club charity LFC Foundation; and Stanley Park junior parkrun and its two sister parkruns at The Mystery Park in Wavertree and Derby Park in Bootle.
Two former Liverpool Football Club players are confirmed to attend on the day – defender Jamie Carragher and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland. Both Jamie and Chris are instrumental in supporting community programmes across Liverpool.
Run For The 97 was first staged in 2015 as a positive inclusive event to celebrate the lives and honour the 97 Liverpool Football Club fans who died at Hillsborough on 15 April 1989. Last month’s anniversary marked 37 years since the disaster.
The event also remembers the families of The 97 and the survivors, who have since tirelessly fought for justice with the utmost dignity. They continue to campaign for a Hillsborough Law.
Run For The 97 is organised by BTR Liverpool – the leading organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region.
The event takes place in Stanley Park, located between Liverpool FC’s Anfield Stadium and Everton FC’s Goodison Park, the new home of Everton Women.
The 5K accessible route takes runners through Stanley Park, along Walton Lane, Priory Road, Arkles Lane, back into the park before passing the Eternal Flame on 97 Avenue at Anfield Stadium, before heading to the finish line in the middle of the park.
The day will include family activities and a donation point for Fans Supporting Foodbanks, where people can drop off non-perishable food items. More details will be announced ne
Hillsborough family members and justice campaigners Margaret Aspinall, Steve Kelly, and Sue Roberts have all been involved since the event began.
Margaret Aspinall is the former Chair of the now disbanded Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG), she lost her 18-year-old son James at Hillsborough. Steve Kelly lost his brother Michael, aged 38. Steve helped to create and shape the event. Sue Roberts, former HFSG Secretary, lost her 24-year-old brother Graham.
The event provides a platform for participants to fundraise or to make a one-off charity donation. Since it was first staged, Run For The 97 has helped to raise over £45,000 for good causes in the city.
Beneficiary charity partners Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation; LFC Foundation; and Stanley Park junior parkrun – together they support the vision of creating a legacy to honour The 97, while ensuring local communities benefit through their work. Funds raised will be split equally between the charities for vital community outreach programmes.
The official fundraising Just Giving page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/runforthe972026
The entry fee pays to stage and deliver all aspects of the event including run numbers, T-shirts, medals, virtual entries, event day staging, safety measures, and runner facilities.
Alan Rothwell, BTR Liverpool Founder, commented:
“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.
“We are delighted to again work alongside and support three very important charities – Jamie Carragher’s 23 Foundation, LFC Foundation, and Stanley Park junior parkrun. By working together, we can continue to educate the next generation through sport.
“Run For The 97 embodies everything that Liverpool stands for – camaraderie, compassion, pride, and strength.
“Entries are due to will close this week, so please do not miss out if you’re planning to take part and not yet registered.”
Run For The 97 has continued every year since 2015. During the pandemic it went ahead as a virtual run in 2020 and 2021, ensuring people could still support the cause and fundraise.
The virtual run option has continued, allowing football fans across the UK and overseas to support the event. They are sent their run number, T-shirt, and medal direct so they can still be part of the day.
The BTR Liverpool annual calendar of competitive races and fun runs take place between March and December. The portfolio also features Liverpool Half Marathon, Liverpool Santa Dash, Mersey Tunnel 10K, Port Sunlight Road Race 10K and 5K, Women’s 10K and 5K Liverpool, and Wirral 10K.
In 2025, BTR Liverpool and its successful portfolio of events was acquired by Run For All. Mass participation events company Run For All is wholly owned by the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, and continues to honour her ongoing legacy.
For full details about the event visit www.btrliverpool.com
Website www.btrliverpool.com
Facebook Facebook/BTR Liverpool
X @BTRLiverpool
Instagram @btrliverpool
Hashtag #RunToRememberThe97 #RunForThe97
