40 enthusiastic runners from Unilever are gearing up to take part in the BTR Port Sunlight Road Race this coming weekend

The runners, many of whom are about to embark on their first race event, have been eagerly training to take part in the 5K on Sunday, 17 April.

They have been pulling on their running gear and trainers during their lunch breaks and after work to take part in regular training sessions round the picturesque village in readiness for the race.

The BTR Port Sunlight Road Race sponsored by Unilever is now firmly established in the village’s event calendar and on the region’s running scene. This is the fifth consecutive year the race day has taken place in the village, which features 5K and 10K races, followed by a 1K Kids’ Fun Run.

Unilever staff enjoy a number of employee-run clubs across its Port Sunlight sites, and last year a ‘Couch 2 5K’ group was introduced. Co-ordinated by Cathy George, the group follow the nine-week NHS training programme, which takes participants from being a complete beginner to being able to run for 30 minutes non-stop.

Cathy George, Unilever Site Communications Co-ordinator, commented:

“We’ve taken around 40 staff members through the programme so far and, for most of them, the BTR Port Sunlight Road Race will be their first organised running event. They are quite nervous but very excited. They still can’t quite believe that they can run 5K without stopping. We are continuing to train hard for the big day on 17 April, when we are determined to cross the finish line and collect that well-earned medal.”

Unilever is supporting the event for the third consecutive year as Unilever brightFuture – its movement for people everywhere who want to make the world a better place for their children and future generations.

Entries for the BTR Port Sunlight Road Race 5K and 10K are still open. Enter online at www.btrliverpool.com or at the BTR office at 82 Market Street, Hoylake.

Entries for the 1K Kids’ Fun Run are taken on the day, but please register your interest in advance by emailing alan@btrliverpool.com

Website          www.btrliverpool.com

Facebook       Facebook/BTR Liverpool

Twitter            @BTRLiverpool

Photo credit: Paul Francis Cooper