Almost 2,400 runners descended on Wirral picturesque village Port Sunlight last weekend for the annual race day.
Port Sunlight Road Race featured two competitive timed 5K and 10K races, followed by a family friendly 1K Fun Run for youngsters aged 12 and under. The event took place on Sunday (7 June).
First staged in 2012, Port Sunlight Road Race is well established in the region’s race calendar. This is the second consecutive year post Covid that the race has sold out.
A new male 5K course record was set during the 2026 event by Wallasey Athletic Club runner Joseph Boden. Overall, Wallasey Athletic Club took three top podium places in the 5K and 10K male and female placings.
Port Sunlight Road Race is organised and delivered by race organiser BTR Liverpool in conjunction with Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT). This year marked the 13th staging of the event.
BTR Liverpool is the leading organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region.
Unilever Port Sunlight supported the event as headline sponsor for the 11th consecutive year. A team of 150 Unilever Sunlight Runners took part across both races.
Almost 300 runners took part in the dual challenge – running in the 5K, followed straight after by the 10K race.
All finishers were presented with a commemorative medal and T-shirt. Dual challenge runners also collected a bonus third medal.
Both competitive races were followed by the 1K Fun Run featuring 250 youngsters.
Next year’s race date has been confirmed as Sunday 6 June 2027, entries are open at https://www.btrliverpool.com/events/port-sunlight-10k5k/
A total of 722 runners completed the 5K race.
Port Sunlight Road Race 5K 2026 was won by Joseph Boden from Wallasey Athletic Club in a time of 15 minutes 25 seconds. Joseph already held the course record, which he set in 2019 clocking 15 minutes 28 seconds. Seven years later in 2026, he broke his own record by three seconds.
Second place was Joshua Crombleholme from Wirral AC in 16 minutes 17 seconds, followed by third place Bradley Roberts from Liverpool Running Bugs in 16 minutes 35 seconds.
First place female in the Port Sunlight Road Race 5K 2026 was Olivia Bramwell from Wallasey Athletic Club with a time of 18 minutes 35 seconds.
Second place female was Ellie McGuinness with 19 minutes 4 seconds, followed by third place Savannah Mannhart from Warriors Pentathlon & Athletic Club in 19 minutes 13 seconds.
The female 5K course record set in 2025 by Lisa Gawthorne from Vegan Runners UK stands at 18 minutes 8 seconds.
The 10K race saw a total of 1,425 runners complete the race.
Port Sunlight Road Race 10K 2026 was won by Oliver Chadwick from Wallasey Athletic Club in a time of 33 minutes.
Second place was Harry Lupton from Liverpool Harriers & AC in 33 minutes 24 seconds, with Jack Poland from Wallasey Athletic Club in third place clocking 33 minutes 34 seconds.
The 10K record remains 30 minutes 19 seconds, set by Dejene Gezimu from Liverpool Harriers in 2016.
First place female in the Port Sunlight Road Race 10K 2026 was Nichola Cartwright with a time of 39 minutes 16 seconds. Nichola placed second in the 10K last year, but this time round she took the top podium place and was 1 second faster than last year.
Second place was Dianna Mannhart from Warriors Pentathlon & Athletic Club in 40 minutes 9 seconds, followed by Megan Toohey with 40 minutes 56 seconds.
The female 10K record remains. It was set in 2016 by Sophie Whiteside, also from Liverpool Harriers, with a time of 36 minutes 42 seconds.
It was a real family occasion for 16-year-old Savannah Mannhart and Mum Dianna from Upton, Wirral. Both took podium places – and impressively took on the dual race challenge to do so.
The event’s official proceedings which included starting the races and prize presentations were conducted by Andrew Bowden, Chair Of Trustees at Port Sunlight Village Trust, and Glyn Roberts, VP of Unilever Port Sunlight.
The day’s activities centred round Port Sunlight Village Green in the heart of the picturesque setting, next to Port Sunlight Museum. As well as soaking up the race day atmosphere, runners and spectators enjoyed refreshments from local traders.
BTR race series partner Everlast Liverpool hosted warm-ups prior to both the 5K and 10K races. Pacers supported runners round the 10K race, sponsored by Canvas Athletic.
The 5K route took runners along the tree-lined boulevards and perfectly manicured gardens of Port Sunlight Village. The 10K followed two laps of the 5K route.
Spectators and residents of Port Sunlight turned out in force to support the event.
Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) is an independent charity and custodian of Port Sunlight, an exemplar worker village created to support the wellbeing and productivity of the Lever Brothers soap works employees and their families.
As custodian, PSVT works with important stakeholders to protect the village’s heritage; create an inspiring place to live, work and visit; and promote understanding of Port Sunlight’s global value and relevance.
Runners can use their race number to enjoy discounts at Port Sunlight Museum and on walking tours until the end of June.
A major construction project is currently underway in the heart of Port Sunlight Village to bring the village’s Grade II Listed Boating Pond and fountain back to life. The works are due to be complete this Autumn. Port Sunlight Village Trust is asking for donations from the public to support the charity’s project.
Port Sunlight is Unilever’s historic UK home, created by one of the company founders William Lever to provide his Sunlight Soap factory workers with decent, affordable houses.
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.
BTR Liverpool is supporting 10 charities across the 2026 event portfolio. Fundraising runners and event volunteers represented the charities on the day.
The event charities for 2026 are Alder Hey Children’s Charity; British Heart Foundation; Claire House Children’s Hospice; Clatterbridge Cancer Charity; Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity; Liverpool Zoe’s Place; Mersey Cares; North West Air Ambulance; Open Door; and Wirral University Teaching Hospital.
Running clubs with the largest numbers who took part on the day include Birkenhead Park Running Club, Hoylake Road Runners, Knowsley Harriers AC, Liverpool Running Bugs, Penny Lane Striders, and Wallasey AC.
Alan Rothwell, BTR Liverpool Founder, commented:
“Port Sunlight Road Race is one of the most unique events in the BTR Liverpool portfolio. Over the years, it’s firmly established itself as real highlight in the North West running calendar.
“The picturesque, stunning backdrop of Port Sunlight Village is the real star of event day. The tree-lined boulevards and wide roadways provide the perfect setting for an attractive race. The village, its residents, and volunteers are incredibly welcoming to runners, spectators and the BTR team – and we must express our gratitude for their ongoing support.
“Congratulations to Joseph Boden from Wallasey Athletics Club on setting a new 5K course record, cracking his own previous time. And taking three top podium places across both races is no mean feat, congratulations Wallasey AC.
“Well done to all 2,400 runners, young and old. Lots of excellent running, plenty of smiles, and medals galore. We hope you join us again next year on 6 June 2027.”
The BTR Liverpool annual calendar of competitive races and fun runs take place between March and December. The portfolio also includes Liverpool Half Marathon, Liverpool Santa Dash, Mersey Tunnel 10K, Women’s 10K and 5K Liverpool, Wirral 10K, and Run For The 97.
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.
After a short Summer break, BTR Liverpool events return with the Women’s 5K and 10K Liverpool at Sefton Park on Sunday 6 September 2026. Entries are open.
For full details about the event visit www.btrliverpool.com
