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 along the waterfront
The John Hulley Day returns as a full‑capacity celebration of Liverpool’s movement, heritage and community spirit. People from across the region will come together to cycle from Otterspool, run to the Liver Buildings, and swim 1500m at the Watersport Centre — three shared journeys through some of the city’s most recognisable places.
Come along and support the day shaped around
connection,
encouragement
and
community pride
rather than competition.
A celebration of Liverpool’s movement, heritage and community spirit
The John Hulley Day 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 parallel journeys that unfold across the city in a spirit of movement, heritage and togetherness.
At 9:30am, everyone gathers for registration beside the John Hulley Statue, collecting their packs and settling into the morning. By 10:30am, all three activities begin in unison: the 20km community bike ride rolling out from Otterspool, the 5km community run heading to the Liver Buildings, and the 1500m community swim beginning at the Watersport Centre.
Although each route has its own rhythm and pace, the day is shaped so that participants from all three activities return within a similar window — usually within around 15 minutes of one another. This creates a shared, uplifting moment back at the John Hulley Statue, where supporters gather to welcome everyone home.
The celebration continues with a gentle awards moment at the statue, recognising contributions across all three disciplines and honouring the collective effort that makes the day special. With finisher medals, T‑shirts and a well‑earned healthy snack, every 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 DAY
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 statue — 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.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE?
Contact Us
Event start location
John Hulley Sculpture. Kings Parade. Coburg Wharf. Pier Head. Liverpool. L3 4EB
Or use the contact form
Contact Us
