Do you like to go for a spin on the bike, rack up the miles on a run or enjoy taking in the scenery on a walk? We need you to join our Sporting Relay.
Knowsley has a rich sporting heritage and in just a couple of weeks – from 18 – 23 July – we’ll be celebrating this with the Knowsley Sporting Legends Relay.
The six day event will travel the length of Knowsley and there’s plenty of opportunities to take part – we’re looking for participants young and old to take part in events such as a ‘mass toddle’ to a community bike ride. And if sport isn’t your thing there are still fun free family events to take part in and you can also cheer on friends, family and neighbours along the way.
Liverpool FC Legend Steve McMahon will set off from Everton’s Finch Farm where he will make his way to Halewood Leisure Centre for 11am. There, he will be joined hundreds of little people as he takes to the track for a mass ‘toddle’ to get the relay off to what will be the ‘cutest’ start possible. There may be a few tears and there’s bound to be dribbling – but not in the footballing sense!
From here, the relay will travel through Halewood onto the Halewood Environment Centre where runners will complete a final 1-mile relay up and down Halewood’s loop line. Find out more about the event by clicking here.
Any local nurseries, pre-schools or reception classes interested in taking part – or anyone who wants to pop along with their little ones – should register their details online.
After making its way from Halewood, the relay on Day 2 will take in Holy Family Social Club in Cronton where community-based cycling scheme Pedal Away will take their turn on the Tour of Knowsley. The baton will travel to Stadt Moers Park where everyone is invited to take part in a huge community bike ride. Whatever your ability might be, if you have two wheels then why not come along? Groups, families and individuals can all take part anytime between 5pm and 6.45pm and cycle for as long or as little as you wish. Spectators are also welcome to cheer along the riders.
Individuals, families or groups wishing to take part in the community bike ride should register their details online
As we reach ‘half-time’ in the relay the baton will make its way from Stadt Moers Park, onto Bowring Park Golf Club. Here, runners will take in a lap of the historic course before moving on to King George V playing fields where everyone is invited to take part in a mini miler between 3pm and 6pm. To find out more and to book click here.
While the community is joining in the sporting fun a small group will push on to Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park to meet the Huyton Boys – a group of local lads who in 1971 won the English School Boys FA Trophy and are now celebrating the rich footballing heritage of Knowsley in a special exhibition.
A slightly slower paced Day 4 starts at Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park and moves towards Carr Lane Woods where people can enjoy a FREE 3-mile Heritage Walk around Prescot. This will take in many of the town’s historic buildings and prominent landmarks along with a close-up view of the new Shakespeare North Playhouse, before arriving at Prescot Soccer Centre.
There will be three walking groups, who will all do the same route but start at staggered times from 12noon (12noon, 12.15pm and 12.30pm). Each walk will take approx. 2 hours.
Anyone interested to take part in the Heritage Walk need to register online to secure a place.
As the end of the week arrives the relay will travel from Prescot Soccer Centre to Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park (KLCP) to meet a variety of sporting clubs from the borough for an afternoon full of fun.
Everyone is invited to gather at KLCP to see the vast array of sports on offer and even take part in a family bike ride at the velodrome. There will also be some impressive stunt shows, cycling workshops and other demonstrations alongside a community BBQ. This FREE event will run from 3pm until 7pm and everyone is welcome.
Anyone interested to take part in the family bike ride just needs to have their own two wheels and register online in advance.
The relay will begin its last day at Kirkby High School and proceed onto Eddie McCardle playing fields – just adjacent to Liverpool FC’s AXA Training Ground. There, the whole community – along with more than 100 local dancers – will come together in a huge FREE Sports Day (12noon to 6pm). With ‘It’s a Knock out’ style games, dedicated kids’zone, taster sessions from local sports clubs, and live music there will be plenty of free fun for everyone to enjoy. There will also be two amazing dance performances choreographed by Grace Goulding supported by the iconic Jeanefer Jean-Charles MBE who has previously worked on events such as the London Olympics, world cups and Commonwealth Games.
This huge celebration of sport will top off a fantastic week of free fun for everyone!
