City Running events finally return in support of local causes

The streets of Leeds came alive today with the long awaited return of the Asda Foundation Leeds 10k and Leeds Half Marathon.

After last year’s postponements thousands of runners today pulled on their trainers in support of an array of good causes and helped raise vital funds following over a year without running events in the City.

For the first time in the events history, both the 10K and the half marathon took place on the same day this year with new start/finishes for both events.

The Leeds 10K event is the original legacy run of the late Jane Tomlinson, who took on a series of endurance challenges to raise nearly £2m for charity despite battling terminal cancer. Jane died soon after launching the 10K and since the inaugural event in 2007, it has grown into a highlight on the city’s running calendar alongside the Leeds Half Marathon which is now in its 37^th year.

First to finish today were those taking part in the 10K. First to cross the finish line today was the winning male wheelchair athlete Callum Hall in a time of 23mins 03secs and the winning female wheelchair athlete was Jade Hall in a time of 24 mins and 37 seconds.

Today’s first 10K male finisher was Scott Hinchcliffe who won in 31mins 56secs.  Marcin Soszka clocked 32mins 06secs to take second place with Harvey Martin third in 32mins 54secs.

Sammyjoe Daley-Davies won the women’s race with a time of 38mins 00secs. Sarah Flaherty was second in 38mins 20secs and Sarah Kemshall took third place in 38mins 28secs.

The Asda Foundation Leeds Half followed shortly after with Sean Frame winning the wheelchair race in 58mis and 35secs.

First male for today’s half went to John Birch in 01:09:40, second went to Jack Kelly in 01:11:17 and third was Ben Butler 01:11:38.

The women’s race was won by Clare Slorach in 01:28:27, second Bex Stone in 01:28:51 and Treena Johnson in third in 01:29:16

Tristan Batley-Kyle, head of events at Run For All, organiser of the event, said: “The response to the Leeds 10K and Leeds Half never ceases to amaze us. The runners and spectators again turned out in force and we are especially grateful to the many volunteers who work so hard to ensure the runners have a safe and enjoyable event.”

The field also included hundreds of businessmen and women taking part in the Leeds 10K Clarion Corporate Challenge and Leeds Half Technology Group Team Challenge, in which companies and other organisations compete for the title of fastest firm in the race. The results will be announced later.

The Asda Foundation Leeds 10K and Leeds Half Marathon partner charities are the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Macmillan Cancer Support, Leeds Mind, Sue Ryder, Martin House Children’s Hospice, St George’s Crypt, Leeds Cares, Candlelighters, People In Action, Yorkshire Brain Tumour charity, the Alzheimer’s Society, Children’s Air Ambulance and St Gemma’s Hospice.

The events are also sponsored by the Asda Foundation, Leeds City Council, Active Leeds, Greatest Hits-West Yorkshire, Arla Protein, High5, Leeds University, Clarion Solicitors, Erdinger, The Technology Group and Sportsshoes.

Entries are open now for the 2022 Leeds Half Marathon on Sunday 8^th May and the Leeds 10K on Sunday 3^rd July.  Discounted entries are available via the Run For All website  until midnight on Monday 6^th September For more details, go to www.runforall.com.