🏃 Ran the Liverpool Half Marathon?
Log your result, build your race history, and plan your next half marathon with RunningLog — connect Strava and your races sync automatically.
The 33rd BTR Liverpool Half Marathon took place on Sunday, 15 March 2026 — and it was the biggest in the event’s history. A record 15,000 runners took to the streets of Liverpool in wet and windy conditions, with 12,544 crossing the finish line at the iconic Pier Head waterfront. Jack Bromley won the men’s race in 1:09:37, while Lea Adamson of Annadale Striders set a new women’s course record with a superb 1:17:04.
This year’s edition was a landmark event in multiple ways: a brand new start line at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, an updated route through Liverpool’s city centre, and an expanded capacity that sold out in record time. Alongside the half marathon, 375 runners completed the BTR 10 Mile Road Race on a shared course.
Men’s Half Marathon: Bromley Leads From the Front
Jack Bromley took the men’s title in a convincing display, crossing the finish line at Pier Head in 1:09:37. David Meehan was close behind in second place with 1:09:47, while James Wootton completed the podium in 1:10:12. The top three were separated by just 35 seconds — a competitive finish given the challenging weather conditions, with rain and gusts testing runners throughout the 13.1-mile course.
Men’s Half Marathon — Top 3
| Pos | Athlete | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Jack Bromley | 1:09:37 |
| 🥈 2 | David Meehan | 1:09:47 |
| 🥉 3 | James Wootton | 1:10:12 |
Women’s Half Marathon: Adamson Sets New Course Record
The standout performance of the day came from Lea Adamson of Annadale Striders, who stormed to the women’s title in 1:17:04 — setting a new course record on the updated 2026 route, bettering the previous mark of 1:17:54. It was an impressive display of pace and composure in difficult conditions, and Adamson’s time was well clear of the chasing pack.
Isabelle Jones took second place in 1:17:26, just 22 seconds behind the winner, while Abbie Smith rounded out the women’s podium in 1:18:31.
Women’s Half Marathon — Top 3
| Pos | Athlete | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Lea Adamson (Annadale Striders) | 1:17:04 ⭐ CR |
| 🥈 2 | Isabelle Jones | 1:17:26 |
| 🥉 3 | Abbie Smith | 1:18:31 |
10 Mile Road Race: Edwards Retains Title
The BTR 10 Mile Road Race, held alongside the half marathon, saw Paul Edwards of Mikkeller Running Club Liverpool defend his title in 54:37. Sean Jones pushed him all the way, finishing just two seconds back in 54:39, with Elliot Kerins completing the men’s podium in 54:56.
In the women’s 10 mile, Carol Carter of Newmarket Joggers was the first female finisher in 1:06:17, followed by Andrea Bond (1:07:13) and Carla Houghton (1:08:20).
A Brand New Route Through Liverpool
The 2026 edition featured a significant route refresh — the biggest change to the course in years. Planned works on Canada Boulevard prompted organisers to rethink the opening miles and latter stages, resulting in a course that showcased more of Liverpool’s city centre than ever before.
Runners set off from the brand new start line inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium — Everton FC’s new waterfront home — before heading into the city centre through an updated opening section that took in Liverpool Town Hall, the Chinese Arch on Nelson Street, and Liverpool Cathedral. The route then followed the familiar path south toward the leafy avenues of Sefton Park, the green heart of the course, before the return leg brought a significant change.
Instead of the traditional stretch through Otterspool Park and along The Promenade, runners in 2026 headed back from Sefton Park and Princes Park via Princes Road and Upper Parliament Street, past Queens Wharf and Halftide Wharf, before joining the usual route at King’s Dock for the final waterfront stretch. The grandstand finish at Pier Head — right in front of the legendary Royal Liver Building — was as spectacular as ever, with thousands of spectators cheering finishers home despite the rain.
Record Participation and Community Spirit
The numbers told the story of a race that has experienced extraordinary growth. With 15,000 entries — up from 12,000 in 2025 and 9,000 in 2024 — the 2026 edition was by far the biggest Liverpool Half Marathon since the event was first staged in 1994. When organisers announced the additional 3,000 places made possible by the new route, they sold out in just one hour.
A total of 12,169 runners completed the half marathon, with a further 375 finishing the 10 mile race. More than 300 runners travelled from overseas to take part, reflecting Liverpool’s growing appeal as a destination race. Over 100 participants ran in support of the event’s headline charity partner, the North West Air Ambulance, raising more than £23,500.
Two runners deserve special mention: Jamie Doolan from Liverpool and Stephen Symons from Manchester both completed the race for the 33rd consecutive year, having entered every single edition since the inaugural Liverpool International Half Marathon in 1994. Their streak is now as old as the race itself.
Weather: A Test of Grit
While the forecast had promised a challenging morning, runners were still met with persistent rain and blustery winds along the exposed waterfront sections. The conditions inevitably slowed times across the field, making Adamson’s course record and the tight men’s podium battle all the more impressive. Race Director Alan Rothwell praised the resilience of the entire running community, noting that the weather did nothing to dampen the spirit of the day.
Key Takeaways from Liverpool Half Marathon 2026
- Biggest ever: 15,000 entries and 12,544 finishers made this the largest BTR Liverpool Half Marathon in the event’s 33-year history.
- New course record: Lea Adamson’s 1:17:04 set a new women’s course record on the updated 2026 route, beating the previous best by 50 seconds.
- New start, same iconic finish: The move to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium gave the race a dramatic new starting point, while the Pier Head finish in front of the Liver Building remains one of the best in UK running.
- London Marathon preview: The Liverpool Half is a popular shakeout race for London Marathon runners — thousands used yesterday’s race to test their fitness with just five weeks to go.
- 33-year streak: Jamie Doolan and Stephen Symons completed their 33rd consecutive Liverpool Half — every single edition since 1994.
- Growth trajectory: From 3,941 finishers in 2023 to 7,350 in 2024, 12,000 entries in 2025, and now 15,000 in 2026 — the Liverpool Half Marathon’s growth curve is remarkable.
What’s Next?
Entries for the 2027 BTR Liverpool Half Marathon are already open, with the race pencilled in for either 14 or 21 March depending on Premier League fixture scheduling. Given the sell-out pace of recent years, early entry is strongly recommended. Next up in the BTR race calendar is the Mersey Tunnel 10K on Sunday 12 April, with over 3,200 runners already registered.
📊 Keep Your Race History in One Place
Liverpool, London, or your local parkrun — RunningLog lets you log every result, track your progress, and import runs from Strava automatically.
Full official results including all finishers are available on the BTR Liverpool results page.
