Last weekend, I found myself back in one of my favorite cities—Liverpool. It’s a city full of character, known for its rich history, iconic waterfront, and, of course, its love of sport. I was excited to join 5,500 other runners at the 25th annual Liverpool Half Marathon, a sold-out event with runners of all levels ready to take on the city’s roads. As someone who has run this race three times, it holds a special place in my heart. Not only is the course known for being fast and flat, but it’s also where I’ve repeatedly beaten my personal best (PB). This year, I had my sights set on finally breaking the elusive 2-hour barrier—a huge goal for many runners. And what better place to attempt this than in Liverpool, a city that always delivers on atmosphere and support.
Pre-Race Prep and the Start Line
The morning of the race started with a slight hiccup—thank you, daylight savings time. With the clocks going forward, my 4:30 a.m. wake-up felt like an extra early start, but I was still full of excitement. I had prepared everything the night before, or so I thought, until I realised I had packed my race number for the Manchester Marathon instead of the Liverpool Half! Thankfully, my friend saved the day by pointing out the mistake, and we had a good laugh about it over breakfast.
I arrived early enough to park close by, which was a huge relief. The weather was breezy, but for a runner, it was near-perfect—cool with a bit of wind to keep things fresh. As I lined up in the start pen, the familiar race-day nerves hit. That moment when you suddenly convince yourself you need the loo, even if you don’t, is a classic pre-race trick the mind loves to play.
During the Liverpool Half Marathon
The race got off to a smooth start, with a prompt 9 a.m. kick-off. The first mile or so was a bit crowded as usual, but it soon opened up. I tried to focus on getting into a rhythm, but around the 2-mile mark, that steep incline hit, and I had to remind myself to keep pushing. By mile 6, I was fully in the zone, using techniques from a book I’d been reading on mindful running. But, just as I was really finding my flow, disaster struck—a runner crossed the course right in front of me, and I ended up colliding with them and hitting the ground.
After picking myself up and continuing, I caught sight of the 2-hour pacers. Feeling strong, I decided to pass them and set my sights on keeping them in view for the rest of the race. The sun had started to break through by now, and I regretted wearing my long-sleeved top. Still, I pressed on, splitting the course into mental checkpoints, reminding myself to hit 5 miles at 45 minutes and 10 miles at 1 hour 30 minutes.
Hitting My Stride
The last stretch along the promenade was tough. The cobbled sections meant I had to do a fair bit of weaving around other runners, particularly those who had entered the 10-mile option, which had set off at the same time. I kept glancing at my watch, knowing that sub-2 was in my grasp if I could just hold on. The cooling breeze along the waterfront helped, but my legs were starting to feel the fatigue. Still, when I crossed that finish line and saw 1:55:14 on my watch, the feeling of accomplishment was unbeatable. After years of chasing the sub-2, I had finally done it—well, sort of….
Post-Race Thoughts
As I crossed the finish line, I was greeted by a fantastic steel band playing at the finish area—a perfect way to end the race. However, a bottleneck formed as many runners finished at once, making it a bit of a squeeze to get through. I couldn’t help but smile, though, as I’d finally hit my goal. But my excitement was soon dampened by the news that the course had been measured 400 yards short, thanks to a last-minute route change due to roadworks. Did my PB still count?”
Despite the short course controversy, Liverpool once again proved to be an unforgettable running experience. Whether you’re a local runner or traveling to take part, the Liverpool Half Marathon is a brilliant event to test your limits, enjoy a vibrant atmosphere, and run alongside thousands of like-minded people.
Short course or not, the Liverpool Half Marathon remains one of my favourite races. The energy, support, and camaraderie of the runners and spectators make it a fantastic day out, and I’ll definitely be back for round four.
You can find out more about the race here!
