A record number of runners pulled on their running shoes at the weekend, for the 10th annual race which takes participants through the Mersey Tunnel.

Organisers BTR Liverpool closed the entries at 3,200 runners, the biggest number of entries to date since the event was brought back in 2006 at the request of the Mersey Tunnels.

Numbers for the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K have continued to grow, and this is the first year the event has sold out.

Runners gathered in Blackstock Street, in Liverpool city centre, before making their way into the Kingsway Wallasey Tunnel to run underneath the River Mersey – the most challenging and unique part of the race. This is the only time runners can actually run underneath the River Mersey.

After emerging from the tunnel, the runners made their way along the picturesque Wirral waterfront from Seacombe, past the Fort Perch Rock landmark and Marine Lake, before arriving at the finish area on Ian Fraser Walk in New Brighton.

The overall winner was Taurus Ely from Salford Harriers in 32:35 (chip time) – who has now won the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K for three successive years.

The first female finisher was Kirsty Longley from Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Harriers in 37:58 (chip time).

The race attracted runners from across the country, as well as others who travelled from Scotland and Ireland participate. But the furthest journey was made from Australia by Jim and Sue Beisty, aged 81 and 76.

The couple completed the race and were delighted to collect their commemorative medals and T-shirts. Jim’s time was 1:29:43 and Sue finished in 1:40:28.

Originally from Bootle, the couple are visiting the UK for six weeks, visiting family and friends in Liverpool and Wirral. During their trip, Jim has met up with friends in the running community he has made over social media and has also taken part in the Princes and Croxteth Parkruns and the Liverpool Running Club Walton Park 5 Mile.

It was a special day for Janet Quarry from Birkenhead – she chose to celebrate her 60th Birthday by taking part in the race with her daughter Lauren. Janet’s time was 1:13:25 – and she has taken part in all 10 BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K events.

Also taking part in his tenth Tunnel race was Steve Ward, aged 54 from Warrington. Steve runs for the Spectrum Striders and his time was 41:22.

As well as Jim and Sue, the race included a further three senior runners aged between 73 and 87. Dorothy Fairhurst, aged 73 from St Helens (St Helens Sutton) 1:02:54; Dennis Adelsberg, aged 85 from Skelmersdale (Skelmersdale Boundary Harriers) 1:29:31; and Eddie Naisby, aged 87 from Ruthin, Wales (Prestatyn RC) 1:05:15.

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing and delivering headline race events in Liverpool City Region. Its growing portfolio includes the Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon, BTR Liverpool Santa Dash and 52-mile BTR Tour Of Merseyside (six races over seven days).

BTR recently won the title of Event Of The Year at the Wirral Tourism Awards 2015 for the Wirral Half Marathon/10K.

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell said:

“Each year we think the Tunnel 10K cannot get any better – but it really does. It’s such a unique event and the runners really do embrace the challenge of the Kingsway Tunnel.

“When we brought the event back in 2006 at the request of Mersey Tunnels as a BTR race, we had no idea it would grow each year and become so popular. This year we had to close entries at 3,200, which is the biggest field in the history of the Mersey Tunnel 10K. We had a fantastic mix of newcomers, charity and club runners, and those who had travelled some considerable distance to take part and experience the atmosphere.

“Seeing the runners emerge from the tunnel is a wonderful sight, as are the fantastic backdrops of Wirral and Liverpool in the distance across the River Mersey. The final straight after Fort Perch Rock at Marine Point is perfect for spectators and the runners enjoy the applause as they cross the finish line, it works tremendously well.

“A big thank you to the runners, spectators, and the volunteer teams – cadets, Everton in the Community, Claire House Children’s Hospice, Mums 2 Marathons and Radio City’s Cash For Kids. We also appreciate the support of Mersey Tunnels and Wirral Council in allowing us to host the race.”

The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K race is the latest event in a year-long joint fundraising partnership between BTR Liverpool and its five official charities.

The BTR Footsteps Fundraisers initiative will bring the charities together to benefit financially through BTR’s key race events over a 12-month period by encouraging participants to fundraise and support them.

The five BTR Footsteps Fundraisers official charities are Radio City’s Cash For Kids, Claire House Children’s Hospice, Everton in the Community, Jospice, and Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. More details can be found at www.everydayhero.co.uk/event/supportbtrfootsteps

The next event in the BTR calendar is a new event for 2015 and is just for youngsters. The fun run series offers a choice of three distances – 1K, 2K and 3K – and takes place at New Brighton, Wirral, on Sunday, 28 June. Visit www.btrliverpool.com for more details.

The link to the official BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K video can be found here – https://youtu.be/7CW1gLdcJNs