MORE than 1,000 runners – including the Mayor Of Wirral – pulled on their trainers in scorching weather conditions to take part in the Port Sunlight Road Race.
The event featured 5K and 10K races which sold out ahead of the day, as well as 1K Fun Run for youngsters aged 12 and under.
Port Sunlight Road Race is organised and delivered by independent race organiser BTR Liverpool in conjunction with Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT). Unilever support the event as headline sponsor for the eighth consecutive year.
A group of 80 runners from Unilever took part in the 5K or 10K races.
The Mayor of Wirral Councillor Jerry Williams swapped his chains of office for running shoes and took part in the 10K. He attended the race after officially starting the Wirral Walk earlier that morning.
The day’s most senior runners all ran the 10K race and were Dave Quarmby aged 81 from Port Sunlight; Edward Cooke aged 79 from Stockport who runs for Bramhall Runners; Robert Scholey aged 78 from Parkgate; and Jacqueline Allison aged 74 from Bebington.
The Port Sunlight 5K 2023 was won by Christopher Jones from Wallasey AC in a time of 16 minutes 52 seconds. Second place in the 5K was taken by his Wallasey AC team-mate Rob Pearse just six seconds behind in 16 minutes 58 seconds, with third place going to Sam Clarke from Warriors Pentathlon Athletics Club in 17 minutes 22 seconds.
First female in the Port Sunlight 5K 2023 was Lynsey Coan in 20 minutes 31 seconds. Second place was Anita Dawson in 21 minutes 23 seconds, with Ella Grundy from Colwyn Bay Athletics Club in 21 minutes 58 seconds.
The winner of the Port Sunlight 10K 2023 was Oliver Chadwick from Wallasey AC in 34 minutes 22 seconds. Second place in the 10K was David Hamilton from Southport Waterloo AC in 35 minutes 18 seconds, with third place Ben Lewington from Kirkby Milers AC in 36 minutes 22 seconds.
First female in the Port Sunlight 10K 2023 was Carmel Edwards from Kirkby Milers AC in a time of 38 minutes 48 seconds. In second place was Marleen Renders in 40 minutes 56 seconds, with third place Camille Aryeetey in 42 minutes 49 seconds.
Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT) is an independent charity and custodian of Port Sunlight, an exemplar worker village created to support the wellbeing and productivity of the Lever Brothers soap works employees and their families.
BTR Liverpool Race Director Alan Rothwell said: “The sun most definitely shone on Port Sunlight and 1,000 dedicated runners who braved scorching weather conditions to take on the 5K, 10K or dual race challenge – and a huge well done to more than 150 youngsters who completed the 1K Fun Run. They all deserve a huge pat on the back for what they achieved on the day.
“Seeing Port Sunlight awash with runners and spectators, as well as plenty of residents who spend the morning cheering from their own gardens as the runners pass by, is what makes this race event like no other. The support of the Port Sunlight community is second to none. And a big thank you to the volunteers – Claire House Children’s Hospice, Everton in the Community, Liverpool Running Bugs, members of the Merseyside running community, and Port Sunlight residents – who worked extremely hard in such heat – their assistance is paramount to making the event a success.”
