Asda Foundation Leeds Half Marathon provides a huge cash boost for charity

Charities were celebrating today as thousands of fun-runners, fundraisers and club runners crossed the finish line at the Asda Foundation Leeds Half Marathon. 

It was the 34^th running of the event which is expected to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for a host of good causes.

Some runners came to win, some to raise funds for their favourite charity and others simply to overcome the challenge of getting round. Whatever their reason for running, they were supported every step of the way by enthusiastic crowds.

The course took the runners along The Headrow, out of the city centre, took in a section of the Ring Road and returned via Abbey Road and Kirkstall Road to the big finish in Cookridge Street alongside Millennium Square.

The winning wheelchair athlete was Callum Hall who finished in an outstanding 59:20, a new course record beating the previous record set by Callum back in 2017! Bret Crossley was in second place with 1:03:07 and Tiaan Bosch took third in 1:08:40.

First male across the finish line was Mohammad Aburezeq in a time of 1hr 07mins 57secs. Abdalla Targan took second place in 1hr 09mins 58secs with Callum Elson third in 1hr 11mins 43secs.

Faye Banks was the first woman home in 1hr 21mins 32secs followed by Jenni Muston, who clocked 1hr 25mins 14secs for second spot and Aisling Wall who took third in 1hr 26mins 02secs.

There was also plenty of friendly rivalry in the Leeds Half Marathon Team Challenge in which teams battled to be crowned fastest team in the race. The results will be announced soon.

The half marathon is just one of the highlights in Run For All’s Asda Foundation Series, which features three other half marathons, ten 10Ks and culminates with the flagship Yorkshire Marathon on Sunday 20^th October.

Mandy Hepworth, Asda Foundation Co-ordinator, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people taking on the challenge of the Asda Foundation Leeds Half Marathon to raise money for so many good causes.

“The large crowds gave the runners outstanding support and helped create a tremendous atmosphere. Many congratulations to all those who crossed the finish line.” 

Tristan Batley-Kyle, Head of Events with race organisers Run For All, said: “Well done to everyone who took part in today’s event. The support given to the runners was superb and we must say a massive thank you to all our volunteers whose hard work helped make the run such a success.”

Many of those taking part were raising money for the event’s partner charities which this year are the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Alzheimer’s Society, Children’s Air Ambulance, Martin House Children’s Hospice, Sue Ryder, St Gemma’s Hospice, Children’s Air Ambulance, Macmillan Cancer Support, Candlelighters, NSPCC and Leeds Cares.

The event is supported by Asda Foundation, Leeds City Council, High 5 Sports Nutrition, Erdinger, Aftershokz, Radio Aire, LTS, Runderwear, Arla Protein, Sano Physiotherapy, Motorpoint, Yorkshire 4x4, JustGiving, Leeds Beckett University and Marathon Photos.

Next year’s Asda Foundation Leeds Half Marathon takes place on Sunday 10^th May 2020 and runners who enter before midnight tomorrow (May 13^th) can snap up a place at the discounted price of £26. Entries are now open.