HUNDREDS of runners from across the UK today took part in a race held in memory of Rhys Jones, the 11-year-old murdered in a Liverpool suburb last year.

Over 600 people from across Merseyside, and as far afield as Leicestershire, wore commemorative purple T-shirts and ribbons as they walked, jogged and ran a 4km course around the park, in memory of 11-year-old Rhys Jones.

Members of boyband Eton Road, Ex-Gladiator winner Eunice Huthart, Rhys’ dad Steve and five of the schoolboy’s best friends all took part in the race, which was divided into two phases, to allow serious runners and joggers and walkers with young children to take part.

The race was reduced from its original 5km course for safety reasons.

Every penny raised by those running, jogging or walking the course will go towards building a new community centre in Rhys’s name as part of the Liverpool Unites campaign.

Rhys’ mum Melanie, who officially started the race with son Owen, said: “It was a fantastic turnout, better than expected. It was nice to see people of all ages.

“A lot of our family and friends came along as well as some of the staff who worked the nightshift at Stephen’s Tesco’s store in Southport who came straight from finishing work.

“It just makes you feel good and makes you realise that most people are lovely and not all bad.”

Rhys, 11, was killed as he made his way home from football practice in Croxteth Park on August 22 last year.

In the aftermath, the Liverpool Unites campaign was launched to show the strength of feeling against gun crime.

Hundreds of thousands of purple ribbons and wristbands were worn across Liverpool by people who joined our campaign.

Liverpool Unites also aims to raise £100,000 towards the proposed Rhys Jones community centre, which will cost an estimated £1.5m.

A 17-year-old has been accused of shooting Rhys, and his trial is due to start next month. Six others are all charged with assisting an offender.