Football News: Run to Anfield Unites 75,000 Reds Worldwide as Liverpool Fans Run for LFC F… Read more

Run to Anfield Unites 75,000 Reds Worldwide as Liverpool Fans Run for LFC Foundation

Liverpool supporters have once again shown that their passion for the club extends far beyond the football pitch, with Run to Anfield 2026 bringing together around 75,000 Reds in Liverpool and across the world to raise funds for the LFC Foundation.

The annual charity event took place on Saturday, August 1, with more than 1,000 runners gathering around Anfield for the physical event. Participants could choose between a 5km route through Stanley Park and a 1km fun run designed for families and younger supporters. �

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The scale of the event grew dramatically through the introduction of a virtual option. Almost 74,000 supporters worldwide completed their own 5km Run to Anfield through the adidas Running app, allowing fans who could not travel to Liverpool to take part from wherever they were. �

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Among those joining the virtual challenge were members of the Liverpool FC staff who were more than 3,000 miles away in Chicago, where the club was conducting its pre-season tour. Former Liverpool FC Women striker Natasha Dowie and LFC Foundation chief executive Matt Parish were among the group who completed their 5km along the shores of Lake Michigan. �

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For participants in Liverpool, the experience was about much more than completing a race. After crossing the finish line at Anfield, runners received their official 2026 race medal and had the opportunity to enter the stadium for a pitchside photograph — giving supporters a memorable way to celebrate their achievement. �

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More than just a run

The real purpose of Run to Anfield is fundraising for the LFC Foundation, Liverpool FC’s official charity. Money raised through the event supports programmes designed to improve health, wellbeing and opportunities for young people, families and communities across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

The Foundation says it supported more than 145,000 people during the 2024-25 season, with more than half of participants coming from the UK’s most deprived areas. Its programmes include Move, which encourages young people to adopt healthier lifestyles, and Sound Minds, which uses music to support mental wellbeing. �

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The impact also extends to adults through initiatives such as Man 2 Man and Honeysuckle FC, while other Foundation programmes tackle social isolation and help strengthen community connections. �

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LFC Foundation chief executive Matt Parish praised everyone who participated, donated or supported someone taking part, stressing that every contribution helps the charity continue its work tackling social inequalities. �

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The bigger picture

Run to Anfield has developed into an important annual event in Liverpool’s community calendar. What began as a local fundraising run has now become an international celebration of the Liverpool fanbase, with supporters able to participate regardless of where they live.

And with donations from the 2026 campaign still open, the fundraising effort is continuing even after the runners have crossed the finish line. �

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