Thousands of runners are getting ready to pull on their trainers on Sunday July 10th to help the Asda Foundation Leeds 10K celebrate a special landmark.
It will be the 10th running of the flagship event which since its launch in 2007 has raised over £4m for good causes across Leeds, Yorkshire and beyond.
Organised by Run For All, the event is part of the lasting legacy of the late inspirational Jane Tomlinson CBE, who founded the charity road race shortly before her untimely death.
The streets will come alive with colour as the runners snake their way around the course raising money for one of the event’s partner charities or a good cause of their own choice.
Among those taking part will be former Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield MBE who will be representing the club again as he joins the Run with the Rhinos team, raising funds for the Leeds Rhinos Foundation and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
He will be joined by model Nell McAndrew, Emmerdale actress Michelle Hardwick, Educating Yorkshire teacher Matthew Burton, Sky Sports presenter Bryn Law, former Leeds Rhinos star Barrie McDermott and BBC presenters Harry Gration and Nicola Rees.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Gerald Harper, will also be pulling on his running shoes with a team of council colleagues, to raise funds for his official charities – Epilepsy Action and Heart Research UK. Among those in his team will be Councillor Stuart McKenna, Councillor Adam Ogilvie and Councillor Stewart Golton.
Among those taking part in the wheelchair race are Paralympics stars Hannah Cockroft and Jade Jones. They will also be joined by Leeds’ own wheelchair athlete Bret Crossley and Jade’s fiancé Callum Hall, who took up wheelchair racing after being left paralysed after standing on a sea urchin on holiday.
Large crowds will line the route which starts in Vicar Lane and finishes outside the magnificent Leeds Town Hall. The run also includes the Clarion Leeds 10K Corporate Challenge, in which hundreds of businessmen and women battle it out to be crowned fastest team in the race.
Julie Ward, Senior Manager of the Asda Foundation, supporters of Run For All’s 10K series, said: “Since its launch the Leeds 10K has gone from strength and the 10th run will be extra special.
“I know many Asda colleagues have signed up and are really looking forward to the event. I wish them and everyone else taking part the very best of luck.”
Over 50 teams have entered the Corporate Challenge and Roger Hutton, Joint Managing Partner at Clarion, said: “Once again the response to the challenge has been excellent. We are proud of our long association with such a great event and I’m sure all the teams taking part are in for a memorable day. We wish everyone the best of luck this Sunday.”
The fun gets underway the day before, on Saturday July 9th, when hundreds of youngsters will take part in the free Arena Group mini and junior runs at Leeds Dock.
Arena Group Managing Director Adrian Fitzpatrick said: “We are delighted to have had such a long association with the Mini and Junior Runs. The youngsters show fantastic enthusiasm for the events and it’s great to see them wear their medals with pride.
“More importantly, through their efforts they support the work of some very good causes. Good luck to all taking part.”
People taking part in the 10K event are encouraged to support one of the official partner charities or select to fundraise for a cause of their own choice. In 2016, the official partner charities are Jane Tomlinson Appeal, The Haven, Macmillan Cancer Support, Martin House Children’s Hospice, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice, St George’s Crypt, Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal, Brain Tumour Research and Support (BTRS), Mencap Leeds and Sue Ryder.
The Leeds 10K is supported by Asda Foundation, Leeds City Council, Clarion, Viisana, Arla Protein, Yorkshire Evening Post, TheBusinessDesk.com, Heart, BananaKick and LTS.
To enter the Asda Foundation Leeds 10K and for more information about Run For All events go to
www.runforall.com.
Timetable for the day:
Arena Group Leeds Mini and Junior Run – Saturday 9th July
9am – Race office opens at Leeds Dock for media registration – please ensure you have applied for accreditation in advance
10am – Junior Race starts – 9 to 14 year olds (presentations will take place shortly afterwards)
10.30am – Mini Race starts 3 to 8 year olds (with parents – presentations will take place shortly afterwards)
Asda Foundation Leeds 10K – Sunday 10th July
8am – Race office opens at Millennium Square for media registration – please ensure you have applied for accreditation in advance
9.10am – Media call at the start line with celebrity and other key runners – Vicar Lane. Includes Nell McAndrew, Kevin Sinfield and Michelle Hardwick, among others
9.28am – Start of the Wheelchair Athlete Race. Features Rio Paralympians Hannah Cockroft and Jade Jones, among others
9.30am – Start of the Blue and Red Wave of main race
9.40am – Start of the Green wave of main race
9.54am – Wheelchair winner expected outside Leeds Town Hall, The Headrow
10am – Main race winner expected outside the Town Hall
10.15am – Presentations to side of finish outside the Town Hall
