The John Hulley Day
A Celebration of Movement, Heritage and Community
Three disciplines. One iconic Liverpool experience.
Sunday 14th June
A vibrant tri‑sport challenge across the city
The John Hulley Race returns as a full‑capacity celebration of Liverpool’s sporting spirit. Athletes from across the region will come together to cycle, run and swim through some of the city’s most recognisable locations — from the open paths of Otterspool to the waterfront run past the Liverbird Building and the final 1500m swim at the Watersport Centre.
This year’s event honours the legacy of John Hulley, champion of physical education and co‑founder of the modern Olympic movement, with a day designed around challenge, camaraderie and community pride.
A celebration of Liverpool’s movement, heritage and community spirit
The John Hulley Race brings Liverpool’s sporting spirit together in a unique three‑discipline format — with cyclists, runners and swimmers all setting off at the same time from their respective starting points. Each participant takes on one discipline only, creating three simultaneous challenges that unfold across the city.
At 9:30am, competitors gather for registration adjacent to the John Hulley Statue, collecting race packs and preparing for the day ahead. By 10:30am, all three events begin in unison: the 20km bike ride rolling out from Otterspool, the 5km run setting off near the Liverbird Building, and the 1500m swim beginning at the Watersport Centre.
Despite the different routes and demands of each discipline, the event is designed so that athletes from all three challenges finish within a similar window — typically within 15 minutes of one another. This creates a powerful shared moment at the John Hulley Statue, where supporters gather to welcome cyclists, runners and swimmers back into the heart of the celebration.
The day continues with the awards presentation at the Liverpool Yacht Club, recognising standout performances across all three disciplines and honouring the collective effort of everyone involved. With finisher medals, race T‑shirts and a well‑earned healthy snack, each participant becomes part of a tradition rooted in movement, heritage and community pride.
The Three Events
All three disciplines start together at 10:30am, with each athlete completing just one challenge — a shared launch that celebrates Liverpool’s movement heritage and creates a supportive, community‑driven atmosphere.
20km Bike Ride
The 20km bike ride sets off at 10:30am, launching simultaneously with the run and swim. Cyclists begin their challenge from Otterspool, taking on a scenic waterfront route designed to bring them back to the John Hulley Statue within the same finishing window as the other disciplines. With a roadworthy bike and helmet forming the mandatory cycling kit, riders experience a fast, flowing course that captures the energy of race day while running in parallel with the other two events.
5km Run
Runners also begin at 10:30am, setting off from the Liverbird Building at the exact moment the cyclists roll out and swimmers enter the water. The 5km route is lively, atmospheric and designed so that runners return to the John Hulley Statue within roughly the same 15‑minute finishing window as the bike and swim participants. Equipped with suitable shoes and clothing as part of the essential run kit, runners enjoy a vibrant city route that mirrors the momentum of the other disciplines happening simultaneously across Liverpool.
1500 Swim
At the Watersport Centre, swimmers begin their 1500m open‑water challenge at 10:30am, aligning perfectly with the start of the bike and run. The swim course is structured so that participants complete their distance within a similar timeframe to the other two disciplines, creating a powerful shared finish back at the John Hulley Statue. With a toe float and wetsuit or swimwear forming the required swim kit, swimmers take on a steady, supported course that completes the trio of simultaneous challenges.
THE JOHN HULLEY RACE
Awards & Celebration
All athletes return to the John Hulley Statue to cross the finish line, where supporters gather to celebrate every achievement. The day concludes with an awards presentation at the Liverpool Yacht Club — a moment to recognise standout performances and honour the shared effort of everyone involved. Each participant receives a finisher medal, race T‑shirt, and healthy snack, marking their part in a tradition that continues to grow in pride and spirit.
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Event start location
John Hulley Sculpture. Kings Parade. Coburg Wharf. Pier Head. Liverpool. L3 4EB
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