THE annual Tour Of Merseyside returns this weekend when 300 runners embark on the week-long 52-mile challenge.

The event will see the participants – also known as Tourists – race in six events over seven days at various locations across the county, with one rest day in the middle of the week.

This is the third annual Tour Of Merseyside, which is the brainchild of BTR race director Alan Rothwell.

The tour is growing increasingly popular with competition fierce to make the final list of 300 competitors.

The event sold out in just two weeks when entries opened the week following last year’s tour in July, resulting in a waiting list.

Alan Rothwell said: "The Tour Of Merseyside has proved to be an inspiring new event, which has captured the imagination and the hearts of some of Merseyside's most committed runners.

"The tour is unlike anything else in the sporting calendar as it sees runners of all abilities compete with each other and most importantly, themselves, to complete a mammoth 52 miles in six races over seven days – that’s no mean feat.

“Come along and support the Tourists in their challenge.”

The Tour Of Merseyside 2015 is full, but there are limited guest entry places available for three of the events – Monday at Thurstaston; Thursday at Hale, or Saturday at New Brighton.

Details are available on www.btrliverpool.com

The five BTR Footsteps Fundraisers official charities are Radio City’s Cash For Kids, Claire House Children’s Hospice, Everton in the Community, Jospice, and Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

More details can be found at www.everydayhero.co.uk/event/supportbtrfootsteps

The full race schedule for BTR Tour Of Merseyside 2015:

  • Race 1: Sunday, July 5 - Southport Half Marathon 13.1 miles (9am start)
  • Race 2: Monday, July 6 – Thurstaston Multi-Terrain six miles (7pm start)
  • Race 3: Tuesday, July 7 – Sustrans Cycle Trail 10 miles (7pm start)
  • Rest day: Wednesday, July 8
  • Race 4: Thursday, July 9 – Halton five miles (7pm start)
  • Race 5: Friday, July 10 – Knowsley Cross Country six miles (7pm start)
  • Race 6: Saturday, July 11 – Wirral Coastal Run 12 miles (10am start)