More than 4,100 eager runners will race under the River Mersey next weekend in one of the most unique events in the country.
The 20th staging of the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K is on Sunday 12 April. The event sold out last week.
This is a record number of entries since the race was reintroduced in 2006.
The event begins in Liverpool city centre, taking runners into the Kingsway Tunnel, before racing to the finish line in New Brighton.
The point-to-point race is the only time throughout the year when people can make their way through the Kingsway Tunnel on foot – all while running under the River Mersey which runs between Liverpool and Wirral.
After emerging from the tunnel on the Wirral, runners will make their way along Seacombe Promenade to Fort Perch Rock and Marine Lake – with stunning panoramic views across to the world-famous Liverpool skyline.
Upon crossing the finish line on Ian Fraser Walk in New Brighton, runners will be presented with their finishers’ medal and commemorative running T-shirt.
The day before the race (Saturday 11 April), Canvas Athletic who sponsor the BTR event pacers, will be hosting a shakeout run Liverpool city centre. The 5K social loop starts at 10am from the Cleveland Square store. Advance registration is required.
Last year’s event sold out three weeks before race day at 2,200 places. The previous highest number of entries was 3,200 a decade ago.
Just three weeks ago, BTR Liverpool organised the biggest ever Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race which sold out at 15,000 places.
This year overseas runners taking part in the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K are visiting from Denmark, France, Ireland, Isle Of Man, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland, and Wales.
The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K returned to the North West running calendar in 2006 at the request of Mersey Tunnels, with BTR Liverpool taking on the mantle to organise and deliver the event.
Since the race was reintroduced, it has taken place every year apart from 2020 when there was a break of almost two-and-a-half-years between races due to the pandemic. Post-pandemic, the race was staged in September both in 2021 and 2022, before returning to its popular Spring date in 2023. Race numbers in 2024 and 2025 were the highest post-Covid.
Fondly known locally as the ‘new tunnel’, the Kingsway Tunnel was officially opened on 24 June 1971 by the late Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.
Local running clubs with the largest numbers taking part this year include Birkenhead Park Running Club, Hoylake Road Runners, Kirkby Milers AC, Knowsley Harriers AC, Penny Lane Striders, and Wallasey AC.
The current BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K race record stands at 30 minutes 52 seconds, set by Dejene Gezimu from Liverpool Harriers AC in 2016.
The female record is 36 minutes 19 seconds, set by Kirsty Longley from Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Harriers AC in 2019.
The event’s most senior participants are Philip Humphreys from Ellesmere Port and John Devine from Liverpool, both aged 87. Flying the flag for the women, 76-year-old Rosemary Rogers is from Chester and is a regular in BTR races.
BTR Liverpool is supporting 10 charities across the 2026 event portfolio – 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. Fundraising runners and event volunteers will represent the charities.
BTR Liverpool is the leading organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline running events across Liverpool City Region.
The BTR Liverpool annual calendar of competitive races and fun runs take place between March and December. The portfolio also includes Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Mile Road Race, 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.
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.
Alan Rothwell, BTR Liverpool Founder, commented:
“The long established and increasingly popular Mersey Tunnel 10K is the most unique event in the BTR portfolio – it’s not every day you can run under the River Mersey. In fact, I would say it is one of the most unusual events in the country.
“The April date always proves popular as the last chance for a steady 10K as we head towards the home straight into the London Marathon a fortnight later. It’s a great choice for runners progressing from 5K distance to the next step, and ideal all round as a first time race. It’s certainly a race with a difference.
“This year’s numbers have surpassed all expectations with a record 4,100 entries, and it will be a fantastic experience for everyone involved. The race always has such a brilliant, uplifting atmosphere – with plenty of oggy oggy oggy chanting between the runners to spur each other along. And this time it’ll be bigger than ever before.”
Full details about BTR Liverpool events visit www.btrliverpool.com
