Liverpool could be set to host a new distance road race next year to rival the London Marathon and Great North Run.
Liverpool City Council are looking for contractors to resurrect the city's marathon, which ended in the early 1990s, for 2011.
Ambitious councillors hope that by 2016 the Liverpool Marathon will bring in 10,000 runners, which would make it the third most popular distance event in the UK.
It is also hoped the race will attract world class athletes and TV coverage.
Councillor Ron Gould, executive member for health, said: “It’s early days. I think the marathon has captured the imagination of the country, if not the whole world.
“We do the 5k and 10k and we use the parks. But to do a marathon we would have to use the whole city.
“I suppose we could use the whole of the waterfront. It’s a fantastic idea. I hope it goes ahead.”
The race map would likely include the city's world famous landmarks, including Anfield and Goodison, the Three Graces and the cathedrals.
A Liverpool Marathon was proposed for the city's Capital of Culture year in 2008 but the idea was later shelved.
Liverpool already stages seven distance running events including a women’s 5k/10k, a half marathon, Mersey Tunnel 5k, Big Heart 5k, 5K team challenge, October 10k, and Santa Dash, all managed by Run Liverpool.
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