Runners battled wind and rain to compete in a six-hour road race on the University’s Hope Park campus, to raise money for a local charity and special project.
Organised by the Department of Social Work, Care and Justice, Run for Hope aimed to raise funds for the Whitechapel Centre in Liverpool, and to help bring a group of young Palestinians to the Big Hope 2.
The event was open to both serious athletes and those who just wanted to support the cause, and was run under United Kingdom Athletics laws.
Two new UK records were achieved by the overall winner Craig Holgate and the ladies’ winner Caroline McLaughlan.
Craig, a Great Britain representative in the European 24 hours running championships, ran 49 miles and 726 yards in six hours – a new UK Six Hours Road Race Best Performance. While Caroline also achieved a UK Six Hours Road Race Best Performance.
In addition to these fantastic achievements, relay teams representing Liverpool Hope took to the course and performed admirably while raising money for the Whitechapel homeless projects in Liverpool and the Big Hope 2 conference.
Lecturer in Health and Social Care Dr Alistair Jewell, who helped to organise the race, said: “We would like to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to all those who helped to make this event happen.
Our biggest thank you goes to the wonderful staff and students at Hope, whose efforts in competing in the race, fundraising and assisting on the day made all the difference. You can be proud of your efforts and of showcasing your University at its very best, through holding a record-breaking sports event on campus and demonstrating Liverpool Hope’s commitment to social justice and supporting its local community.”
Featuring a host of inspirational guest speakers, Big Hope 2 is a global youth congress that provides a unique opportunity to hear from leading global influencers, who are at the forefront of national and international challenges.