Event is only chance to run under the River Mersey
Entries already open for next year’s race on 12 April 2026
Almost 2,000 eager runners pulled on their trainers to complete the 19th staging of the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K.
The race last weekend began in Liverpool city centre, taking participants into the Kingsway Tunnel, before crossing the finish line in New Brighton.
The point-to-point race is the only time throughout the year when people can make their way through the Kingsway Tunnel on foot – all while running under the River Mersey which runs between Liverpool and Wirral.
After emerging from the tunnel on the Wirral, runners made their way along Seacombe Promenade to Fort Perch Rock and Marine Lake.
The finish line on Ian Fraser Walk in New Brighton provided the perfect backdrop to collect their finishers’ medal and commemorative running T-shirt.
This year’s event sold out three weeks before race day at 2,200 places.
BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline race events across Liverpool City Region.
Entries for next year’s BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K are open. Race day is Sunday 12 April 2026 – and 100 places have already been taken. Register online at https://www.btrliverpool.com/tunnel-10k-event
The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K 2025 was won by Dan Morgan from Lonely Goat RC with a time of 33 minutes 27 seconds. Dan came fourth last year, but this time knocked 2 minutes 2 seconds off this time.
Second place was Kevin Polhill from Kirkby Milers AC clocking 34 minutes 40 seconds, with George Gillies from Wallasey AC in third place with 35 minutes 20 seconds.
First place female was Lisa Gawthorne from Vegan Runners in 38 minutes 46 seconds. Lisa took second place last year, this time round she recorded 46 seconds faster.
Second place was Dearbhla Cox from Annadale Striders in 39 minutes 8 seconds, with Eve Grabe from Warriors Pentathlon and Athletics Club in third place with 41 minutes 26 seconds.
The BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K race record still stands at 30 minutes 52 seconds, set by Dejene Gezimu from Liverpool Harriers AC in 2016.
The female record still stands at 36 minutes 19 seconds, set by Kirsty Longley from Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Harriers AC in 2019.
This year overseas runners took part in the BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K from Austria, Ireland, Isle Of Man, Norway, Scotland, and Wales.
The eight BTR Liverpool charity partners for the 2025 event portfolio were well represented by runners and volunteers.
BTR is encouraging its runners to support Alder Hey Children’s Charity; Claire House Children’s Hospice; Clatterbridge Cancer Charity; Liverpool Women’s Hospital Charity; Mersey Cares; North West Air Ambulance; Wirral University Teaching Hospital; and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice Liverpool.
The event’s most senior participants were 86-year-old Barry Leonard from Liverpool (56 minutes 54 seconds); Philip Humphreys aged 86 from Ellesmere Port (1 hour 15 minutes 39 seconds); and 84-year-old Ronald Thornton from Crosby (1 hour 31 minutes 16 seconds).
Local running clubs with the largest numbers who took part included Birkenhead Park Running Club, Kirkby Milers AC, Knowsley Harriers AC, Mikkeller Running Club Liverpool, and Wallasey AC.
Organisers BTR Liverpool were also supported on the day by volunteer teams from Birkenhead Park Running Club; Merseyside Army Cadet Force; Paul Lavelle Foundation; and members of the Merseyside running community – who helped give out water, medals, T-shirts, and post race goodies.
A team of Armed Forces Veterans took part by speed marching while carrying equipment. They were delighted to return for a second year. The group were fundraising for The Block – Armed Forces Foundation to help veterans settle back into civilian life through mental health or homelessness support.
The Mersey Tunnel 10K returned to the North West running calendar in 2006 at the request of Mersey Tunnels, with BTR Liverpool taking on the mantle to organise and deliver the event.
Since the race was reintroduced, it has taken place every year apart from 2020 when there was a break of almost two-and-a-half-years between races due to the pandemic. Post-pandemic, the race was staged in September both in 2021 and 2022, before returning to its popular Spring date in 2023. Race numbers in 2024 and 2025 are the highest post-Covid.
Fondly known locally as the ‘new tunnel’, the Kingsway Tunnel was officially opened on 24 June 1971 by the late Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II.
Next up in the BTR portfolio are Run For The 97 5K and 1 Mile in Stanley Park on Saturday 24 May, followed by the Port Sunlight Road Race 5K, 10K and 1K Fun Run on Sunday 8 June.
Full details and online entry can be found at www.btrliverpool.com