Road Races

Southport Brooks Good Friday Races

We have a long tradition of putting on a Good Friday road race in Southport's Victoria Park. The 2011 race was the 26th edition and was held on April 22nd, its usual Easter Friday date, enjoying glorious early summer weather. The races are run in and around Victoria Park, Southport, where we have exclusive use on the day of the event. Victoria Park is, of course, the home of the world famous Southport Flower Show. The flat and fast traffic-free course makes it an ideal event to improve on previous 4 mile race times or to set a new PB. The 2011 races were again sponsored by Brooks running equipment, enabling us to offer a large prize list, including £100 cash bonus to anyone setting a new course record for either of the 4 mile races. Jonny Mellor of Liverpool Harriers duly obliged, knocking 14 secs off the previous mark.

The start and finish are both inside the park which provides good vantage points for spectators, family and friends who are able see the runners several times. The races are open to runners of all abilities and computerised results are available on the day. Since 2002, we have adopted the format of two races of 4 miles, one for men and one for women, and a 3K fun run for the under 16s and the less serious competitors. This has proved popular, with good numbers in each year.

Gillions Waterloo 15K

Celebrating its 27th year in 2011, this truly multi-terrain one lap course is both flat and fast including some farm pastureland, private farm roads and an army camp with pinewoods and a sizable red squirrel population.

The course follows a school playing field and the pastureland before taking the country lanes into Hightown village to follow a 3.6 km course around an army training camp through pine trees and the red squirrels reserve.Runners will also pass a small farm area with llama and goats followed by a tough assault course which is 'out-of-bounds' and not part of the course!

Leaving the army camp, runners re-trace their steps over the railway and back through the country lanes almost to the pastureland, before crossing a riverbank track to the farm pathways and a cinder path lane to the pavement of Hall Road East to finish through the playing field main gates.

The course avoids public roads with only 3 short stretches of pavement totaling 1K on the whole route.

The race, on May Bank Holiday Monday, 2nd May, starts and finishes at the excellent Merchant Taylors Playing Field, Hall Road, Crosby, with a fast start on 850 metres of well-maintained playing field turf.

Prize vouchers totalling over £800 are on offer in addition to a number of Spot Prizes plus a t-shirt and medal to all finishers.

15K old course records are:  

15K new course records are:  

For the sixth year, we are holding a 5K Fun Run in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, with a course that follows the 15K from the playing field and part way through the pasture land before turning right and crossing a bridge to rejoin the 15K course at the start of the farm pathways.

This rural course is completely vehicle free for all but half a kilometre on pavement and across 2 short cul-de-sac entrances. Both start and finish will be in the playing fields. 

All finishers receive a T-shirt and medal.

5K Course records are:  

The event starts with the Fitness Connection 3K Fun Run where children and adults can enjoy the pleasure of running on a well-maintained course that remains within the playing fields, starting and finishing in front of the pavilions. No excuses parents; whole families are encouraged to take part so if you are not yet ready for the challenge of the 5K Fun Run, join in the excitement of the 3K. 

All finishers receive a medal plus a chance of the many Spot Prizes on offer.

Merchant Taylors ground is only 150 metres from Hall Road Railwayl Station and has a first class pavilion and changing rooms. In addition there will be refreshment facilities including a Hog Roast and several stalls and displays at the ground plus a first class DJ on hand to keep everyone entertained and informed.