YVAA Middelton 21 June 2023

Volunteer Be a Marshal South Leeds Lakers host three large races each year, which require lots of marshals & other volunteers. If you can help please get in touch. All races are held in Middleton Woods, with race HQ at South Leeds Stadium. Wednesday 9th July 2025 - Yorkshire Veterans' Grand Prix Race Sunday 7th December 2025 - South Leeds Bah Humbug 10k West Yorkshire Winter League Race - we are not hosting in the 2025/26 season Middleton Yorkshire Veterans League Grand Prix Race 2023 Be part of an event team A team of volunteers from South Leeds Lakers had a great time working at the 2023 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon/Half Marathon. They were based at Headingley Stadium & were responsible for the Half Marathon bag drop. In 2025 we were back offering support to runners in the first mile with a South Leeds Lakers Club Take Over. On Sunday 22nd of October 2023 twelve South Leeds Lakers gave up their Sunday morning to give out medals & water at the finish of the Leeds Abbey Dash. See photos her e . We were back in 2024 to take on bag drop duties. Next opportunity WE NEED YOU! Sunday 7th December 2025 South Leeds Bah Humbug 10K Volunteer form Be a Run Leader We are always looking for qualified run leaders. If you are interested in becoming a run leader, for the club, please get in touch. We have a code of conduct for Run Leaders here Be a Coach If you are a qualified coach & are interested in coaching for South Leeds Lakers please contact us. Read our coaches code of conduct here.

2023 News June Saturday 24th June 2023 South Leeds Lakers ran a stall at Beeston Festival . It was a great opportunity to talk to the local community about the club & all it has to offer. There were kids activities & leaflets given out advertising the club & the next C25K, which is planned for the Autumn. Thursday 22nd June 2023 Representatives from South Leeds Lakers joined The Lady Mayoress of Leeds for a Civic Reception, which was organised by Leeds City Council & Voluntary Action Leeds . The event was an opportunity to say thank you to small groups and charities for their contribution towards making a positive impact on the lives of Leeds residents. Wednesday 21st June 2023 South Leeds Lakers hosted the 3rd race in the 2023 YVAA Grand Prix series. The successful event took place in beautiful Middleton Woods, was enjoyed by over 230 runners & was supported by a great team of volunteers . PHOTOS VIDEO Thursday 1st June 2023 What a great turn out for the Apperley Bridge Canter. An evening racing around the scenic trails and backroads of Apperley Bridge & Horsforth RESULTS PHOTOS July News Tuesday 25th July 2023 - Lakers on a bear hunt August News Friday 18th August 2023 Lakers had a blast at The Leeds Dock Relay. Tuesday 8th August 2023 Lots of Lakers at the 5th YVAA Grand Prix Race in Pudsey. Here we are, happy, that we didn't have to run up Post Hill. Tuesday 2nd August 2023 The winners of the Leeds Abbey Dash 10K FREE places were announced! Congratulations to Ray , Richard , Gary, Mark & Heather. Good luck for Sunday 22nd October. If anyone is available to help out at the race finish we still need more volunteers . September News Sunday 17th September 2023 Read the full report here Sunday 10th September 2023 Vale of York Half Marathon & The Great North Run. Lots of Lakers completing half marathons, some for the first time. Friday 8th September 2023 We were back at the track following the summer break. Wendy held her coaching session, which focussed on speed work. Remember, all members are welcome at our track sessions and it's FREE! October News Friday 27th October 2023 We held the first of our, new, monthly Walk & Talk sessions. Marathon Month Here are, just, some of our marvellous, October, marathon runners. Keelan & Lois went all the way to Chicago to show off the South Leeds Lakers kit & decided to complete the marathon whilst they were there! The hills of Beeston prepared Kevin well for Marathon Eryri. The demanding & spectacular route, encircling Snowdon, has given the event a unique place in the annual marathon calendar ever since 1982. Well done to all our amazing marathon runners. We just love to volunteer Twelve lovely Lakers were up, early, on the morning of the Leeds Abbey Dash, getting prepared to set off the runners and present the medals at the finish. Thank you all! Welcome to the 10k Club October was the month for some 10k first timers. Lucy, Heather and Chris smashed their first 10k races at The Yorkshire Coast 10k, in Scarborough and at The Leeds Abbey Dash. They had lots of support from coach Wendy, who put together a 5-10k improver plan, organised all the training runs and was even, there, giving the medals out at the Abbey Dash. Well done to all and keep up that 10k fitness. More from the Leeds Abbey Dash Did you know Jane came third in her age group? Awesome running Jane! For more photos click here . November News Tuesday 28th November 2023 Well done to the 'Run to the Homeless' group. They made the club proud by running into Leeds to help support homeless people. Lots of coats, hats, scarves, gloves & food parcels were handed out to some very cold people. Same again next year! Sunday 26th November 2023 We had an amazing turnout for the Bah Humbug 10k recce. This was all in preparation for the main event on Sunday 10th December 2023. Friday 24th November 2023 We hosted another successful Walk & Talk session at the track. See our 'Diary Dates' section for details of future Walk & Talk sessions. Sunday 19th November 2023 Lots of Lakers ran in the first West Yorkshire Winter League race of 2023/24. There was just a little mud! Watch race 1 @ Baildon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KUk6cxoWXg Tuesday 7th November 2023 Hunslet Handicap We held our annual fundraising event for Wheatfields hospice & raised £330! Thank you to Claire & Richard Burgess, Julie Harrison, Jeni Sword-Williams, Wendy Murgatroyd & Heather Graham who made a great night run smoothly. Read more here December News Sunday 31st December 2023 A few Lakers braved the mud to complete the Winter League recce in Middleton Woods. Please let Ian know if you can volunteer, at our home race, on Sunday 21st January 2024. Tuesday 19th December 2023 On our last club night of the year we enjoyed a festive Santa hat run to Christmas Island & back. Happy Christmas! Tuesday 19th December 2023 On our last daytime session of the year we enjoyed a festive Santa hat run & some hills! Friday 15th December 2023 We hosted another Walk & Talk session at the track. It had to be a bit earlier in the month due to Christmas holidays. Next session will be on Friday 26th of January 2024. See you there. Wednesday 13th December 2023 We announced our next Couch to 5K programme! Sunday 10th December 2023 Lakers hosted the fabulous Bah Humbug 10K. It boasts a start and finish at South Leeds Stadium and a tough run round Middleton Woods. See more here .

Meet the Committee Chair Richard Harrison Coming soon... Running Section Rep Ian Pickles Hi all, I joined South Leeds Lakers in 2015 after meeting people at Cross Flatts Parkrun. I enjoyed the friendliness and vibe of the club and in 2016, when we became affiliated, I was asked to be Run Leader & then 'Run Co-ordinator'. I have seen us move from a bench outside Beeston Co-op, to the Community Centre to the Hunslet Nelson & have seen over 40 Run Leaders come & go. I have been on the committee since 2016 & although it's challenging we have achieved some fantastic results, seeing over 500 people through our doors. In 2019 we successfully launched a Junior Section & I have trained as a 'Junior Assistant Coach'. We coach 40 children a week running, jumping & throwing. As Run Co-ordinator I assign the groups each week, I would love people to come and give me feedback as we can not improve if we don't know. Let's carry this club forward & enjoy our running. Membership Secretary Shelly Parker Hello, I'm Shelly, one of the club secretaries and you can get in touch with me for any matters relating to the running club, but particularly membership queries. We are a free social running club but there is the option to join us as a competitive athlete through club affiliation. I discovered my love for running whilst training for Tough Mudder in 2018 and joined Lakers in the spring of 2019. We are a supportive and inclusive club where all abilities are welcomed. Through the club I have met some inspirational people that I now call friends. I enjoy trail running & cross-country and also occasionally venture into the world of fell and international running. My proudest achievements to date are completing Manchester marathon and the Yorkshireman half fell race. Although I'm generally a midpack runner, I like to push myself and enjoy a good race. I am always on the lookout for new races and enjoy offroad adventures. Membership and affiliation queries can be sent to missshellyparker@gmail.com Governance Secretary & Welfare Officer Ant Gibson I joined South Leeds Lakers in Oct 2022 & quickly made a lot of friends. The club has helped me to not only keep fit, but also expand my social circle & improve my mental health. After doing a few 5k runs, I decided to join our coached 5-10k improver group, graduating at the Dewsbury 10k in Feb 23. In Sept 23 I completed the Great North Run, the biggest half marathon in the world! Raising nearly £800 for charity in the process. In May 2023 I took the opportunity to join the committee as a Welfare Officer. I wanted to give something back to the club & help to look after the welfare & wellbeing of all members. If you have any questions or concerns about the club, or just want to say how Lakers can help you more, please feel free to contact me using the below email address. Alternatively you can speak to me in person at our Tuesday evening club nights. welfare.lakers@gmail.com Inclusivity and Diversity Officer Tracy Allison Coming soon... Welfare Officer Heather Graham I started on the Couch to 5K program with the Lakers in January 2018 - we ploughed on & completed it despite the beast from the east & graduated into the 5-10K transition. By the time I had completed my first 10K I was fully invested in the Lakers family. In 2020 I stepped forward to be a run leader but all courses were subsequently cancelled due to Covid-19, so I finally graduated as a run leader in April 2021. I often lead Couch to 5K groups which are really important & have seen some great Lakers graduate from it - which makes me feel proud to have been part of their journey. A year later in April 2022 I was elected Lakers Chair which is a great role to be in to help make a difference to the Lakers. To listen to others & steer the club in the direction its members want it to take. Treasurer Claire Burgess Coming soon... Junior Rep Kathryn Robertson Coming soon...

Leeds Abbey Dash 10k 2023

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Club History Building on the success of Cross Flatts parkrun, which started in 2013, two years later a few of the regulars got together, and with the support of Run Leeds and the Hunslet Rugby Foundation, formed the South Leeds Lakers Running Club. The first social run took place on Tuesday 10th February 2015 with 19 in attendance. 12 months later the Club took the decision to affiliate to England athletics and in 2017 won the Yorkshire & Humberside Club of the Year award. The decision to affiliate was not an easy one with concerns it would affect the decision to provide a free running club to the community. The compromise was reached that Lakers would remain free to members and it would not be compulsory for individual members to affiliate to England Athletics, a model that continues to this day. The Lakers are always looking to evolve and in 2019 formed the junior section. Once again providing free activity to the local community. Over the years the Club has gained a reputation for hosting great races such as the Bah Humbug 10k, Vets League and West Yorkshire Winter League events, and are the self proclaimed Raffle Kings. As well as being recognised by England Athletics the Club and Junior section have won a number of community awards, something we are all very proud of. We even won the Hunslet Nelson cricket competition!!! What’s in a name; A number of names were considered for the new group back in 2015. "South Leeds Misters" was in the frame when there was talk of a men only group to complement the highly successful South Leeds Sisters running club. South Leeds Sprinters was another option but was felt would give the wrong impression for a social running group. Eventually South Leeds Lakers was decided on, giving a nod to Middleton and Hunslet lakes. There was a suggestion to incorporate an “I” in the name. “Laikers” being an old north of England word that we wrongly believed referred to “playing” E.g. Are you laiking out. However, further investigation revealed that the word “Laikers” actually meant Unemployable - South Leeds Unemployables was not the image we were looking for!!! more photos

West Yorkshire Winter League WINTER IS COMING! https://racebest.com/races/tcxgt WYWL is a much loved cross-country series in our racing calendar. You must be an affiliated member to join in the fun. In 2025/26 the series will include 6 races for just £20. See here for more information on affiliation. Join the WYWL Facebook group here . You have until Friday 31st October 2025 to sign up. Questions should be directed to Jenna.

Leeds Bear Run 25 July 2023

South Leeds Lakers Juniors A free one hour session of athletics from 6 to 7pm every Friday. For ages 8 to 14yrs. The sessions involve coaching in run, jump & throw athletic events. Our aim is to make this fun & engaging, so whilst we will coach the basic techniques we will have fun doing it. Our coaches have taken courses with England Athletics & are all at various levels on the coaching pathway. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults need to stay onsite during the session. For our weekly track sessions, we meet at John Charles Centre for Sport Middleton Grove Belle Isle Leeds LS11 5DJ Our sessions are completely FREE. When you arrive simply go straight past reception, out into the stadium & down to the track where the coaching team will be waiting. Occasionally, some weeks, we may take a break from the track & go trail running in the nearby woods, parents are welcome to join in. Any child wishing to take part MUST book first using the online booking form, (one booking per child, i.e. if you have two children then it's two forms). See top of page for booking form. The booking form is usually opened every Monday morning for the following Friday's session. As we have a limit on the number of children taking part each week, we operate on a first come first served basis. When the session is full, the form is closed. Once you've booked for your very first time, you will receive a welcome letter via email & be added to the parents WhatsApp group. This group is where session information is then shared each Friday. If you have any queries please contact us at southleedslakers9@gmail.com Book

2025 Sponsors Sponsorship details IMS IMS supports local businesses & charities The Bah Humbug team &South Leeds Lakers are thrilled that IMS have chosen to support our fantastic event in 2025 "Trenchless Technology Solutions for the Sewer Rehabilitation Industry" "IMS Robotics Group specialises in the development, construction & manufacture of robots for sewer rehabilitation. The company is internationally well positioned & is among the world market leaders in the field of house connection robots. IMS Robotics Group is proud of its high product and production depth & the global marketing of its self-developed systems. The final production of products takes place at IMS headquarters in Ottendorf-Okrilla near Dresden. IMS Robotics Group receives supplies from a network of professional & reliable partner companies, & essential components from its own subsidiaries & affiliates. IMS Robotics Group works closely with its customers & suppliers; sharing knowledge & experiences to ensure user-friendly handling & that products are utilised to their full capacity. Knowledge improves technology. Feedback & ideas become products. And working together brings success." Website Facebook LinkedIn Morley Glass We would just like to show our appreciation by giving a huge thank you to everyone at Morley Glass for sponsoring the Bah Humbug again this year. Their kindness & generosity means we are able to create another magical race for you all to enjoy! “Morley Glass is the biggest manufacturer of integral blinds within high performance glazing in the UK. We are the UK's largest specialist manufacturer of sealed & double glazed windows, doors, conservatory units & decorative glass, containing integral blinds (blinds in glass). These are for installing into all kinds of windows, doors & bi folding doors. We manufacture & distribute Uni-Blinds. These Venetian & pleated blinds are permanently sealed within double glazed units. Uni-Blinds is a highly innovative system offering many benefits, both aesthetically and practically, making the brand the number one choice of style-conscious home owners. We have been successfully supplying this system for many years & are the only UK company to manufacture the pleated (Plisse) system in-house, enabling us to offer an unbeatable five working day lead time. The lead time for manual Venetian style Uni-Blinds is 10-12 working days from receipt of order from 10am on any given Thursday. The Uni-Blinds system is designed for both domestic & commercial installations & is particularly suitable for bi-folding doors & windows. Uni-Blinds Venetian & pleated blinds are manufactured to the highest standards & specifications. Once sealed in the dust-free environment of the glazing cavity they will require no cleaning, always appear new & are protected from damage. But is not just the quality performance of Uni-Blinds that keeps us at the forefront of the industry. Our customers value the extensive support we provide.” www.morleyglass.co.uk If there are any other businesses who want to get involved with sponsoring this incredible event then please do get in touch ASAP! Take a look at sponsorship details here .

2024 News Tuesday 2nd January 2024 We were happy to be back out on our Club Night runs after the Christmas break. Sunday 7th January 2024 West Yorkshire Winter League race @ Huddersfield (Stadium Runners). Saturday 13th January 2024 Middleton Woods was the venue for our first Parkrun League fixture of the year. Well played jokers & excellent running saw Colin & John take joint first place. If you want to know more about our Parkrun League please click here . Sunday 21st January 2024 We hosted a very successful home race for the West Yorkshire Winter League . Many volunteer hours and a huge amount of work goes on, behind the scenes, to make these events possible. Thank you to all the volunteers, organisers and clubs for helping to creating such a wonderful day! Tuesday 23rd January 2024 We held week one of our new Couch to 5K programme. We welcomed 20+ new members to the club. Well done on completing your first run. Tuesday 30th January 2024 A lovely run in the woods for our daytime group. Tuesday 6th February 2024 One of our 10k groups headed out to The Royal Armouries to gaze upon the Knife Angel Sculpture. Read more about the sculpture here . Sunday 11th February 2024 Before & after the Queensbury West Yorkshire Winter League race. Watch the videos here & here . Sunday 18th February 2024 Pudsey West Yorkshire Winter League race. Saturday 24th February 2024 - Sunday 10th March 2024 16 Marathons in 16 days! Yes, that's correct. No typos here. Ian completed this amazing challenge whilst raising money for Andy's Man Club, Leeds Dock Running Club & Recovery Runners. Click here to see more. Sunday 25th February 2024 Stainland West Yorkshire Winter League race. Saturday 23rd March 2024 Congratulations to the Couch to 5k group on completing the 9 week programme and finishing off with Cross Flatts Parkrun. You can watch the, Facebook, video here on our members group page. Saturday 30th March 2024 Cross Flatts Parkrun celebrated it's 11th birthday fancy dress style. Read our history to find out why this Parkrun is special to Lakers. Congratulation Thomas on 500 Parkruns! Thursday 18th April 2024 **Happy Birthday to us** South Leeds Lakers Juniors celebrated their 5th Birthday. 16 brave souls turned up on 18th April 2019 at Cockburn High School playing fields to take part junior athletics. Fast forward 5 years & we are at the John Charles stadium & still going strong. Over these last 5 years we have had as many as 260 children try at least one or more of our sessions. We must be doing something right as our weekly average numbers (per year) remain consistently strong. Saturday 11th May 2024 We attended 'Let's Move South Leeds' in Cross Flatts park. Showcasing our Junior Club & delivering taster sessions for the local community. It was very busy, with lots of children taking part. Great fun was had by all & even the Lord Mayor stopped by to say hello (she knew all about our amazing club). Well done to all involved. Sunday 19th May 2024 We rounded off Mental Health Awareness Week with a lovely walk in Middleton Woods. 7th June 2024 We have all been touched by the tragic passing of Rob Burrow. This week our junior lakers, with help from willing coaches & parents, ran 7 laps of South Leeds Stadium to help raise funds for the MND Centre. ITV Calendar came down to film. Watch here Donate Sunday 9th June 2024 The weather held out & Lakers met for a social get together at The Nelly. What will we do next? Wednesday 19th June 2024 What a glorious evening we had hosting the YVAA Grand Prix race number 4. Thank you to all the amazing volunteers. Saturday 22nd June 2024 Lakers promoted the club at Beeston Festival & dazzled the locals with 'The Lakers Loo Roll Challenge' Wednesday 26th June 2024 We had a lovely evening at The Hyde Park Harriers Summer Mile. This event was our 'race of the month' for June & did not disappoint. We had a great time testing out our speed & received a chocolate bar, beer & medal for our efforts. Well done to Michelle & Richard, our fastest female & male trophy winners. Results Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th June 2024 Some brave Lakers took on Endure 24 at Bramham Park. We had solo runners & teams trying to rack up the miles on the looped course. Well done all. Thursday 4th July 2024 We love to make the most out of our lovely local woods. Thanks, Wendy, for your weekly hill sessions. Saturday 13th July 2024 Parkrun league run number 7 saw Lakers at Sherwood Pines. A beautiful, one lap, course in the woods. Saturday 20th July 2024 Lakers smashing it at The Tolkien Trail Race. Andrea 1st F40 & Haydn 1st U23. Well done guys! Sunday 28th July 2024 More success for Lakers. This time in the shape of Simon. "...just to say to all, don't give up on your running goals! After many years & races I finally got a podium position in my age category today, at the James Herriot trail race. Might not seem much to some but I've never achieved it... Beautiful day (bit warm though), stunning scenery & a race of two halves. Even had enough winnings for a pint with Paul..." Well said Simon & a massive well done. Cheers! Tuesday 30th July 2024 Monopoly anyone? South Leeds lakers Monopoly Madness 12K Wednesday 14th August 2024 Lakers enjoyed a lovely curry night at The Plantation in Middleton. Cheers! Friday 16th August 2024 Leeds Dock Relay 2024. We had six teams pushing themselves to get as many laps completed in the hour. Well done to all the Lakers that took part this year. What a great way to spend a sunny, Friday night. If you want to know more about the event, here is a great write up from Charli at Dragons Running Club. Sunday 6th October 2024 Well done to everyone who took part in the Morley 10k. Sunday 13th October 2024 What a great turn out of Lakers at The Abbey Dash. We had plenty of first time 10kers, shiny PBs for some & a fabulous group of volunteers taking charge of the baggage tent. Tuesday 29th October 2024 Did somebody say pie & peas? The promise of food brought out all the ghosts & ghouls. We saw some great costumes on our club runs this week followed by pie & pies in The Pump House. A big thanks to Claire & team for organising the food & serving it up with a smile. Sunday 17th November 2024 The return of the West Yorkshire Winter League! It's nice to see a lovely big team & welcome some new runners to the Lakers family. Well done to everyone who braved the cold & made it back for the all important raffle. The first Lakers back were Simon Purll & Hannah Lewis. We had some great age category results too, with Andrea in 3rd & Graham & Cheryl in 4th. December 2024 Reindeer Strava art, a Santa hat run, festive Parkrunning & a Twixmas St Aidan's 10k. What more could you ask for? Happy Christmas!