Almost 300 children from across the region descended on New Brighton at the weekend (Sunday, 28 June) to take part in a new fun run series.

The BTR Kids’ Fun 1K 2K 3K event was staged on The Dips on Coastal Drive at the seaside resort.

Hosted by established race organisers BTR, the event attracted youngsters of all ages, from toddlers aged one up to the age of 14-year-old, some of whom were accompanied throughout the run by their parents.

Participants included youngsters in fancy dress, a group from Lydiate Primary School, and a team of Mini Milers from running club Kirkby Milers.

Entertainment was provided by Claire Simmo from Radio City and the Street Team, who were joined by mascots Courage from Radio City charity Cash For Kids, and Claire Bear from Claire House Children’s Hospice.

BTR Race Director Alan Rothwell added:

“We already stage two popular children’s 1K fun runs as part of our Liverpool Santa Dash and a race day at Port Sunlight, but this is the first event we have organised just for youngsters. The Dips proved an ideal and safe environment to stage the event.

“It was fantastic and encouraging to see the next generation of runners thoroughly enjoy themselves, especially when they were presented with their medals and T-shirts. We feel it’s important to give young people their own platform as an introduction to the sport, giving them their very own chance to shine.”

The youngsters taking part included a group from Chernobyl, aged between eight and 13-years-old, who completed the 1K fun run.

The children are from Belarus, which received 70% of the radioactive fall-out from the explosion in 1986. Their trip has been organised by the Wirral branch of Chernobyl Children’s Life Line, and they are staying with host families across Wirral for a month’s respite.

Bubbles World of Play at New Brighton’s Marine Point kindly sponsored the children from Chernobyl to take part in the 1K fun run, which was followed by lunch and a play experience at the children’s adventure centre.

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing and delivering headline race events in Liverpool City Region. Its growing portfolio includes the Mersey Tunnel 10K, Wirral Half Marathon/10K, Port Sunlight 10K/5K, Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon, and Liverpool Santa Dash.

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

The next event in the BTR calendar is the 52-mile Tour Of Merseyside (5-11 July). The event is made of up six races across seven days at locations including Southport, Thurstaston and Hale Village.

Here is the link to the official BTR Kids’ 1K 2K 3K 2015 video – https://youtu.be/F5ypb-0mdFY