You are invited to run the St Aidan's 10K course between 18-31 July!
Whilst we cannot race the St Aidan's 10K in a completely real format this year, we are excited to announce that the 2020 St Aidan’s 10K will be virtually real!
What does virtually real mean?
Well, it’s real in that you are being invited to run the St Aidan’s 10K course and it’s virtual in that you are asked to run it at a time of your choosing between Saturday 18th and Friday 31st July. Like a real race, you will have a race number, but like a virtual run you will record your own time. Like a real race there will be a start line, finish line and marked course, but like a virtual run there won't be any marshals. You will get a medal when you finish and there will be prizes, but they will all be sent out after the event. Maybe it’s really virtual, but we like to think it’s virtually real.
This popular 10K trail race is a perfect introduction to off-road running and an ideal race to test your speed. The race is a fast and flat(ish), trail race along public footpaths and bridleways in and around in the idyllic setting of St Aidan's Country Park in the east of Leeds.
Starting by St Aidan's RSPB Visitor Centre, (alongside the largest preserved walking dragline excavator in Western Europe, known as "Oddball") the route crosses and follows the River Aire to Lemonroyd Marina, before circling the Country Park back to the beginning.
When?
Any time between Saturday 18th July and Friday 31st July 2020
Where?
RSPB ST aidan's
Astley Lane
Leeds
LS26 8AL
Detailed directions here
The car park is open, but you will need to pay to stay.
How much?
£10
For which you will receive a race number, a published result and best of all a race medal!
Route?
Starting by the Visitor Centre, the route crosses and follows the River Aire to Lemonroyd Marina, before circling the Country Park back to the beginning.
Course records
MEN - Adam Peers (Wakefield Harriers) 33:08 (2017)
WOMEN - Alice Leake (Leeds City AC) 39:04 (2019)
Just a stone’s throw from the centre of Leeds, St Aidan’s nature park is a stunning wild place to explore. Whether you’re on foot, on your bike or have your camera at the ready, take advantage of the amazing views and wonderful wildlife spectacles on offer.
St Aidan’s was an opencast mine for many years and has now been restored to a wonderful nature park for everyone to enjoy. Follow four different trails through woodland glades, alongside whispering reedbeds, around lakes and ponds, and onto a hill with stunning panoramic views.
St Aidan’s is a fabulous spot to bring the family. There’s plenty of space to explore, bring your bikes and run around. It’s early days for St Aidan’s. We’re just setting out on our journey. We’d love to share it with you.
30% of net profits from this race shall be donated to the RSPB. This is expected to be at least £700. RSPB is a registered charity in England and Wales, number 207076, and in Scotland, number SC037654.