CITY leaders have hailed the rejuvenated Liverpool Marathon as the crowning achievement of an event-packed 2011.
The new race is set to take place on October 9, John Lennon’s birthday, and could bring in as much as £3m to the regional economy.
Speaking at yesterday’s launch, ceremony race director Alan Rothwell, of RunLiverpool, said: “The course we have put together is excellent.
“There’s a great start at Birkenhead Park and the highlight of the first ten miles will be the sensational view as they come down the promenade. There’s also the historic beauty of Hamilton Square that runners pass as they come into the tunnel. I’m certainly not aware of any other marathon where there is a tunnel involved. That’s unique. Once on the Liverpool side, runners will enjoy the big atmosphere of the city.”
Pam Wilsher, Head of Tourism Development at the Mersey Partnership, said: “The marathon will follow on from events such as the Liverpool Boat Show in April, the centenary celebration of the Liver Building in July, the opening of the Museum of Liverpool in August and the Waterfront festival in September.
“I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and the city enjoying the benefits all those visitors will bring.”
The event is projected to grow from 12,000 up to 30,000 runners in the next three years, until it is the largest UK marathon outside London.
It’s an ambitious future for an race which nearly didn’t happen.
In November, event management company Limelight Sports were hours away from signing a contract when it emerged they were organising a race in London on the same day.
Cllr Wendy Simon, cabinet member for tourism and sport, said: “The tender went out as it always does and Limelight Sport won it. When it transpired that the clash could not be resolved, the contract was awarded to RunLiverpool. They came second in the tender process and always had a very strong bid, as well as a record of success managing sporting events in the city.”
The Liverpool Marathon has been guaranteed not to cost anything to the taxpayer.
FOR more, go to www.runliverpoolmarathon.co.uk