Ghouls, devils and skeletons were haunting Croxteth Hall on Sunday, as Pool Runnings held its first themed 10k event.
The ‘Beat the Reaper’ event welcomed a variety of runners ranging from families, club members and charity fundraisers. Grim reapers lurked in the fringes of the two-lap course ready to scare and race the competitors to the end.
Pool Runnings was started in June by local runner and Manchester police officer, Jo Davies, along with her partner Phil Moody.
Jo, 33, who is a member of Liverpool Running Club, told JMU Journalism: “Over the past few years not many people were joining clubs and it seemed that most events were aimed towards elite athletes or very fast runners.
“I wanted to create an event where beginners and family friends could join in and not feel down as they came over the finish line a while after the winners.”
The idea for the 10k came to the couple when they completed the Mad Dog 10k in Southport, dressed as a tiger and a grim reaper, to raise money for Radio City’s Cash for Kids.
First to cross the finish line was James Tooey, 22, who used the race as a training session for Liverpool Running Club.
Men’s captain of Penny Lane Striders, Dale Higham, 32, finished in second place. He told JMU Journalism: “I found it tougher than expected. The race stretched out a little but I think the grim reapers were what got me going in the end.”