Charity, Europe, Events, Sport, United Kingdom

Double Race Success for Women Runners of Liverpool

10 September 2026

Editorial Brief

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The BTR Women’s 10K and 5K races in Liverpool saw participation double in 2026, with 1,149 runners taking part. The event, hosted by BTR Liverpool, supported the Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity, raising over £8,000. The races were won by Savannah Mannhart in the 10K and Bethany Woods in the 5K, highlighting a strong community engagement and support for women's health initiatives.

EDITORIAL INSIGHT: Context, industry insight and market perspectives of this news story

The return and growth of Liverpool’s women-only race event points to the continued appetite for community participation in running across the city. With participant numbers doubling in its third year since revival, the event has re-established itself as a fixture in Liverpool’s active calendar, drawing a broad mix of runners and local supporters to Sefton Park. For many, the event offers not just a sporting challenge but a social occasion, with the charitable partnership further strengthening its community ties.

For those connected to Liverpool Women’s Hospital or involved in local fundraising, the event also provides a practical way to support a well-recognised cause. While the race itself is not unique in the UK, its local impact is clear, helping to channel donations and awareness towards specialist healthcare. The event’s popularity may also reflect a wider pattern of increased interest in accessible mass participation events, particularly those aimed at specific groups, but its primary significance remains within Liverpool’s own running and charity community.

Story Ideas

Environmental/social impact

Impact of Charity Partnerships on Local Events

The partnership between BTR Liverpool and Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity for the Women’s 10K and 5K showcases how charity collaborations can enhance local events, raising significant funds and awareness for community causes.

Target audience: who would cover this
Story potential: 6/10

Consumer trend

Resurgence of Female-Only Races in Liverpool

The return of female-only races in Liverpool, such as the BTR Women's 10K and 5K, signals a renewed interest in gender-specific sporting events. This trend reflects wider societal shifts towards inclusivity and empowerment in sports.

Target audience: who would cover this
Story potential: 7/10

Press Release

Thursday 10 September 2026

Women runners of Liverpool turned out in force on Sunday (6 September) for a double race event hailed as “positive” and “empowering”. The BTR Women’s 10K Liverpool took place in Sefton Park, the event also featured a 5K distance. The event was hosted by BTR Liverpool – the leading organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region. Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity (LWHC) was the event’s headline charity partner.

BTR Liverpool brought back the historically popular female-only 10K race in 2024. Sefton Park was the original home to the event when the race was at its peak in the 1980s and early 1990s. The 5K race distance was added in the second year due to popular demand. More than 600 runners took part across both races last year.

The numbers of participants across both races doubled for 2026, with a combined field of 1,149 runners on the day demonstrating growing support for the event. The race saw 277 participants complete the 5K course, followed by 872 finishers in the 10K race. The date for next year’s race is confirmed as Sunday 5 September 2027 – entries are open now at https://www.btrliverpool.com/events/womens-10k-and-5k/

The BTR Women’s 5K Liverpool was won by Bethany Woods with a time of 19 minutes 51 seconds. Second place was Sarah Nawrocki in 20 minutes 9 seconds, with Lowri Nesbitt taking third place by clocking 20 minutes 17 seconds. The BTR Women’s 10K Liverpool was won Savannah Mannhart from Warriors Pentathlon & Athletic Club with a time of 39 minutes 49 seconds. It was a family affair for the 10K race with Savannah’s Mum Dianna Mannhart taking the second podium place. Also running for Warriors Pentathlon & Athletic Club, she finished in 40 minutes 23 seconds. Third place was taken by Annabel Harley from Liverpool Harriers & AC in 41 minutes 12 seconds. This was the second BTR race of 2026 that the Mannhart mother and daughter runners have taken a double podium place. In June, Savannah took third place in the BTR Port Sunlight 5K, with Dianna finishing second in the BTR Port Sunlight 10K.

All race finishers were presented with a commemorative medal and T-shirt to celebrate their achievement. The rainbow chrome medal featured Peter Pan to highlight the statue in Sefton Park. The race event was hosted by Claire Simmo, presenter from In Demand Radio.

More than 60 runners took part to raise funds for Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity – they have already raised more than £8,000 with a target of £10,000 edging closer.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital is the UK’s largest specialist hospital dedicated to the health of women, babies, and families. Every year, it cares for thousands of women, babies, and families from across the North West and beyond. Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity supports the vital work of Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Charitable donations help fund innovations and compassionate care to support patient experience and outcomes. These additional services go above and beyond NHS provision, helping to ensure the best possible care and experience for patients and their families. Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/liverpoolwomens5k10k

Alan Rothwell, BTR Liverpool Founder, commented: “What a fantastic third year for the Women’s 10K and 5K races. The race has firmly grown new roots in the BTR event portfolio after a break of over 20 years. It has been embraced by the female running community as a positive and empowering event, and numbers have doubled for 2026.

“It was very fitting to support Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity as headline charity partner for the event. Liverpool Women’s Hospital is a huge part of the city, and many runners and spectators will almost certainly know a family member or friend supported by the hospital or its charity.

“Thank you to everyone who took part on the day, the spectators for cheering on the runners, and our excellent volunteers who play a vital role in BTR race events.”

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, Port Sunlight Road Race, Wirral 10K, and Run For The 97.

There are just two events left in the BTR Liverpool portfolio for 2026. The BTR Wirral 10K is on Sunday 11 October, followed by the BTR Liverpool Santa Dash on Sunday 6 December.

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

Notes to editors

BTR WOMEN’S 5K LIVERPOOL 2026 First 3 Female Finishers (gun times) Bethany Woods N/A 19:51 Sarah Nawrocki N/A 20:09 Lowri Nesbitt N/A 20:17 BTR WOMEN’S 10K LIVERPOOL 2026 First 3 Female Finishers (gun times) Savannah Mannhart Warriors Pentathlon & Athletic Club 39:49 Dianna Mannhart Warriors Pentathlon & Athletic Club 40:23 Annabel Harley Liverpool Harriers & AC 41:12 About Run For All and BTR Liverpool: In 2025, Run For All acquired BTR Liverpool, bringing together two highly respected organisations with a shared commitment to delivering high quality, inclusive, and sustainable running events across the UK. BTR Liverpool is the leading organisation for creating, managing and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region. Established in 2006, BTR Liverpool stages a number of major annual events that continue to grow year on year, offering a diverse portfolio of distances and terrains while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability. The organisation is widely recognised for the quality of its event delivery, its close links with the running community, and its engagement with local charities. The event portfolio features Liverpool Half Marathon, Liverpool Santa Dash, Mersey Tunnel 10K, Port Sunlight Road Race 10K and 5K, Women’s 10K and 5K Liverpool, Wirral 10K, and Run For The 97 5K. Run For All is part of the lasting legacy of Jane Tomlinson CBE, who raised £1.85million for children’s and cancer charities before her death from cancer aged 43 in 2007. Despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer, Jane inspired people worldwide by completing extraordinary endurance challenges, including the London Marathon, Ironman and triathlon events, and a 4,200-mile cycle ride across the USA. Run For All delivers a broad portfolio of successful mass participation events across the UK, including events in Leeds, Sheffield, York, Lincoln, Hull, King’s Lynn, Leicester and Bury, as well as the McCain Yorkshire Coast 10K. Its flagship events include the Leeds Half Marathon, Ramathon, Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon, Sheffield Half Marathon, Altra Yorkshire Marathon Festival, and the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. The acquisition of BTR Liverpool strengthens Run For All’s national presence and reinforces both organisations’ shared missions to inspire people of all abilities to be active, support charitable causes, and deliver outstanding running events rooted in their local communities. www.btrliverpool.com www.runforall.com BTR RUNNING EVENTS 2026:

Sun 11 October: BTR Wirral 10K
Sun 6 December: BTR Liverpool Santa Dash (5K / 1K Mini Dash)

BTR RUNNING EVENTS 2027: