Pienaar Is All Heart

Everton star Steven Pienaar is throwing his weight behind the city’s Big Heart 5K race.

The annual race, set up in memory of Blues legend Alan Ball, takes place in Walton Hall Park on Sunday 2 September and will see fans of Everton and Liverpool racing against each other, all in the name of charity.

And the South African, who recently completed a £4.5million return to Goodison, stressed the importance of getting involved, for others as well as themselves.

“I think it’s really important people try to stay fit and healthy and this is a great way of doing that,” said Steven.“Everyone who runs will also be helping someone else who maybe isn’t as fortunate as they are so that is excellent and should encourage people to take part.”

Pienaar, who joined Everton legend Graeme Sharp in endorsing the event, likened his own training and levels of fitness to the hardships some of the Big Heart runners may face.

“I’ve had to train hard this summer to regain fitness because I missed a few weeks so I know how hard it is. But the hardest part is getting up and doing it in the first place,” added Pienaar.

The Big Heart 5K begins at 10am on Sunday 2 September and fans both blue and red are encouraged to come down and show their true colours.

To enter the race, please visit runliverpool.org.uk or call 0151 530 5260.