Leeds Rhinos Foundation are this year the official charity partner for the Urban Trail Runner Leeds series and will be offering fundraising incentives to participants who opt to take part on behalf of Run with the Rhinos, if you haven’t signed up yet, find out more about the races on offer at parks near to you.
Urban Trail Runner, devised in 2015, is an exciting concept which aims to share the unrivalled buzz of trail running through a series of easy to get to – tough to complete – trail races in parks and woods in city locations, creating an off-road running revolution in the process.
This year Urban Trail Runner are bringing the trail running experience to Leeds through a series of three races across the city.
The Leeds Series consists of three 6-8 mile trail runs that take in beautiful and scenic routes starting at Temple Newsam on Wednesday 8th June and then Roundhay Park on Wednesday 13th July before the final race at Middleton Park on Sunday 21st August which starts and finishes at South Leeds Stadium.
Helena Byles, from Urban Trail Runners commented on the series routes on offer this year:
"Each race is different, so whether you are a beginner or a seasoned trail runner you will find a new challenge each time."
So, which is your race of choice? Helena takes you through the race routes on offer this year at Roundhay Park, Middleton Woods and Temple Newsam to help you decide.
Temple Newsam
Temple Newsam is the longest race, just under 8 miles, the route is designed to capture all the the big hills and there is enough elevation to be classed as a Cat C Fell Race. UTR think this is the toughest route of the three. Challenge your endurance on this one! Wednesday 8th June, 2016.
Roundhay Park
The Roundhay route lull’s the runner into a false sense of security, with the first 2/3’s of the race being mainly on pleasantly undulating trails, then there is a real sting in the tail with three big climbs in the last 2 miles, the dam, the climb to the mansion and the infamous hill 60. People finish this thinking it’s the hardest route because the climbing is at the end, this will challenge your power! Wednesday July 13th 2016.
Middleton Woods
The Middleton Woods race is a tad under 6 miles. It starts and finishes on the track at South Leeds Stadium, so overall the route is flatter, but the trails through the woods dip up and down, twist and turn, making it difficult to maintain a constant rhythm. Middleton Woods has some of the most scenic ancient Woodland in the area. This is the technical race with a good opportunity for a sprint finish in the grandstand! Sunday 21st August.
The Leeds Rhinos Foundation will be supporting each race with a Leeds Rhinos legend to officially start each event and along with club mascot Ronnie the Rhino to meet and cheer on runners, and more.
The Leeds Rhinos Foundation are encouraging runners to sign up to a race or all three in the series and in return you only enjoy some Leeds Rhinos perks for fundraisers running with Run with the Rhinos. (See http://www.leedsrhinosfoundation.org/events/run-with-the-rhinos.php)
To register and find out more about Urban Trail Runner, please visit http://www.urbantrailrunner.co.uk/ and https://racebest.com/races/utr-leeds-trail-race-series
For any more information about Run with the Rhinos & Urban Trail Runner, please contact Jessica. Jessica.bowman@leedsrhinosfoundation.org