Fun run honours lives of Hillsborough victims

More than 1,500 are taking part in the fun run

A "poignant" annual run to celebrate the lives of the Liverpool fans who died as a result of the Hillsborough disaster takes place later.

The BTR Run For The 97 5K - set up 10 years ago as a "positive community legacy" for those killed in the 1989 tragedy, their families, survivors and Hillsborough campaigners - starts and ends in Liverpool's Stanley Park.

Race organisers BTR said more than £45,000 has been raised for charity since the event - which features a mix of Liverpool and Everton fans and passes both clubs - first took place in 2015.

Ninety-seven football fans were fatally injured in a terrace crush at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989.

The fun run is raising money for former Liverpool footballer Jamie Carragher's 23 Foundation charity, the LFC Foundation and Stanley Park junior park run

BTR said the 5K fun run and the one-mile community legacy fun run had attracted "amazing support", with more than 1,500 runners, and 150 people from as far away as Australia taking part virtually.

The 5K course will pass the eternal flame memorial at Anfield, at which many runners are expected to pause in a show of respect and remembrance.

Many runners pause at Liverpool FC's eternal flame memorial to pay their respects to those who died as a result of the Hillsborough disaster

The run will also go past Goodison Park, which will be home to Everton's women's team after the men's team moves to its new 53,000-capacity arena at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The 11th annual event raises funds for Jamie Carragher's 23 Foundation, LFC Foundation - Liverpool FC's official charity - and the Stanley Park junior park run.

'Heart-warming'

BTR Liverpool race director Alan Rothwell said the run "becomes more poignant with each year" and embodies "community, legacy, inspiration, positivity, and real strength".

He said people did not need to be serious runners to enter.

"The event is open to everyone and, because it's not a competitive race, it's heart-warming to see so many people walk, jog, or run purely to be part of the community legacy."