THE 96 men, women and children who lost their lives at Hillsborough were remembered with a minute's applause before the start of Sunday's Mersey Tunnel 10k.

The 13th annual race coincided with the 29th anniversary of the football disaster, which claimed the lives of The 96 on April 15, 1989.

To mark the poignant date, the victims' families and survivors were joined by 2000 runners for a minute's applause.

Twelve of those who lost their lives in the disaster were from Wirral and Ellesmere Port.

They were Peter Burkett, Raymond Chapman, Anthony Kelly, James Delaney, Christopher Edwards, Arthur Horrocks, Kevin Traynor, Chris Traynor, James Hennessy, Graham Roberts, Dave Thomas and Thomas "Steve" Fox.

The race began in Liverpool city centre, finished in New Brighton. The route took runners from the start line in Blackstock Street, through the Kingsway Tunnel, along Seacombe Promenade, past Fort Perch Rock and the Marine Lake, to the finish line on Ian Fraser Walk at New Brighton.

During the race, runners also passed the Memorial Gardens To The 96 at Wallasey Town Hall on Seacombe Promenade, where a water station was manned by volunteers from the LFC Foundation, the official charity of Liverpool Football Club.

Wirral Council marked the Hillsborough anniversary by floodlighting Wallasey Town Hall tower red over the weekend; displayed special banners reading Truth, Justice, and Never Forgotten; and a floral tribute was laid at the garden’s dedication plaque.

The race was won by Liverpool Harriers AC’s Dejene Gezimu in a time of 32:15 (gun time).

Kristan Matuszczak from Altrincham District AC came second in 34:46, while third position was taken by James Wootton from Liverpool clocking a finishing time of 35:05.

First female finisher was Helen Sahgal, representing Liverpool Pembroke Sefton Harriers with a time of 38:32.

Helen’s fellow club member Lisa Gawthorne finished second in a time of 39:40. Kirkby Milers’ Carmel Triggs took third position and finished in 41:26.

Race Director Alan Rothwell said: "Well done to everyone who took part in the 13th annual BTR Mersey Tunnel 10K.

"The tunnel run continues to be a unique race in our calendar – the rare opportunity to run under the River Mersey and through the Kingsway Tunnel.

"The race started with a special tribute when our 2,000 runners joined in with a minute’s applause to remember the 96, their families and the survivors on the 29th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.

"This is a very poignant day and a lot of runners wore red and blue to show their support which was very fitting.

"A big thank you goes to our event volunteers who helped with water stations, T-shirts and medals, including Claire House Children’s Hospice, Everton in the Community, the LFC Foundation, and Origins Sports Massage."