The date has been officially announced for a new community legacy running event in memory of the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough tragedy.

Accessible for all abilities, “Run For The 96” 5K takes place on Sunday, 19 April. The event starts at 9.30am and entries are now open.

The fun run has the support of the Hillsborough Family Support Group.

The event will give participants the opportunity to get involved with a community-based initiative, encouraging first time or new runners. The event is also likely to attract families and, of course, support from the city’s Red and Blue football communities.

Liverpool FC Foundation and Everton in the Community are the official charity partners for the Run For The 96 5K, and participants are invited to fundraise for the charitable arms of the city’s two football clubs to enable them to continue their fantastic work across Merseyside.

This is a key part of the event’s commitment to ensuring that local communities benefit from the legacy run. All funds donated or raised will be split equally between the two charities.

Find out more at www.BTRLiverpool.com or www.hillsborough-anfieldrun.com where people can enter online; download an entry form; download a sponsor form; or make a donation direct to the joint charity fund via Virgin Giving.

The proposed route will start and finish in Stanley Park. Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield Stadium and Everton Football Club’s Goodison Park will provide fitting backdrops as part of the route, as participants run to remember the 96 lost at Hillsborough.

The final route will be confirmed in the coming weeks. All finishers will receive a commemorative medal and T-shirt.

The event has been created by Liverpool fan Dom Williams, the man behind the Hillsborough-Anfield Run. The annual challenge sees a small team of runners from across the country who come together to complete a challenging 96-mile run over three days between Sheffield and Liverpool.

The Hillsborough-Anfield Run was first staged in 2011, and for the past three years Dom and the team have raised funds for the Hillsborough Family Support Group; Hillsborough Justice Campaign; Alder Hey Children’s Hospital; and The Children’s Hospital Sheffield.

Dom now feels it is an appropriate time to create a community legacy run in Liverpool to complement the team challenge. He approached BTR Liverpool in January 2014 and discussions began to plan and deliver the public event.

Just three months later, in April 2014, the run was officially announced during a launch event at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory in Stanley Park. The event was attended by guests including Hillsborough Family Support Group Chair Margaret Aspinall, Steve Rotheram MP for Liverpool Walton, and Spice Girl and Liverpool Football Club fan Melanie Chisholm.

This year, Dom and his team of runners will run for 70 miles over two days between Hillsborough and Anfield. The third day will be the Run For The 96 5K, enabling the group to officially start the community run and also take part.

Dom Williams commented:

“Having had the idea for some time for a wider participation legacy event to remember the 96 Liverpool fans, I am delighted that we are now in a position to announce the date and open entries for Run For The 96 5K. We are hoping it will become an annual community event.

“It all started when I visited Anfield for the stadium tour and saw the tile mosaic of 96 shirts. It’s a very poignant sight. I was extremely moved and wanted to do something to help. That’s how the 96-mile Hillsborough-Anfield run came about. Things have now evolved and we now have an event for all.

“We are working closely with BTR Liverpool, the Hillsborough Family Support Group, the Liverpool FC Foundation and Everton in the Community to make the event a success. The one thing that binds us all together is our desire to do something positive in memory of the 96 fans lost.”

Margaret Aspinall, Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, commented:

“I hope this new Run For The 96 5K event will be a long lasting tribute to the 96. It’s fabulous that it is a 5K run as it means more people will feel able to enter – whether they run, jog or walk. People will be taking part to show their support to remember the 96, and that is just wonderful. All those who enter are a credit to our 96 and I thank you all so much on their behalf, also on behalf of the families and survivors.”

Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm commented:

“I’ve always been very proud to support the guys who take on the Hillsborough-Anfield Run. It’s a wonderful event to remember the 96 we lost. And now I’m so excited that the Run For The 96 5K is finally happening. I really hope I can participate as it is going to be such a special event for such great causes.”

BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for race events and delivery in Liverpool City Region. BTR Liverpool’s growing portfolio of annual events includes the Liverpool Santa Dash; Liverpool Half Marathon; Wirral Half Marathon/10K; Mersey Tunnel 10K; Port Sunlight 10K/5K; and the 52-mile Tour Of Merseyside.

BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell commented:

“Run For The 96 5K is going to be a very special legacy event, and BTR Liverpool would like to thank Dom for inviting us to host and deliver the event.

“The event is a fun run which will enable everyone to get involved – that is very important as we want to create a real community atmosphere. Good luck to everyone taking part as they run to remember.”

Run For The 96 5K entry fee is £20 (£22 online). The entry fee will pay to stage and deliver all aspects of the event.

Full details at www.BTRLiverpool.com and www.hillsborough-anfieldrun.com