A fast road out-and-back from Wellington Street towards Kirkstall Abbey, returning along Kirkstall Road. The turn at the abbey gives you a useful point to reset your effort before the run back.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
The course, section by section
Open a section for the terrain and a practical pacing cue.
Outward runningWellington Street · Kirkstall Abbey
The published road course heads towards the abbey before turning back.
ReturnAbbey Road · Wellington Street
Return along Kirkstall Road towards the finish.
Official maps & course details
- Route
- Wellington Street, Cardigan Fields, Kirkstall Abbey, Abbey Road and Kirkstall Road back to Wellington Street.
02 Choose your approach
Find your race strategy.
Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.
My first finish
Settle into a comfortable first kilometre before looking for a rhythm.
Use the abbey as a clear mid-race landmark rather than trying to judge every street.
Keep enough control to run well on the return and finish without a prolonged early sprint.
A PB or time goal
Let the opening crowd spread without weaving.
Check your effort as you turn back; accelerate gradually rather than making a sharp surge.
Keep concentrating through the return, then build the final effort once the finish approach is clear.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
- Toilets
- Pre- and post-race facilities are provided; use the official event facilities.
Know your stops
Find the start-area toilets before joining your wave. If you use an on-course station, look ahead, move predictably and leave room for other runners before slowing. Check whether the drink is in cups or bottles so it feels familiar.
04 Before the start
Your race morning.
Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.
The start
Start time
09:30 on Wellington Street.
Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.
05 Make the day work together
Supporters & getting around.
Plan your support
Wellington Street is a useful start-and-finish base. A cheer near the abbey needs its own travel plan; check the closure map rather than trying to follow the runners by car.
The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.
Wellington Street
The published start and finish location; agree a meeting place beyond the runner exit.
Kirkstall Abbey surroundings
A route-based viewing idea. Use public access and the final closure map.
2027
Official spectator or route informationMake the cheer easy to find
Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.
06 Before you book
Entry, fees & time limits.
Use the organiser’s entry page for the available places, current price and entry conditions.
Check official entry optionsStay in the loop
Email me event updates.
Spend more time training and less time checking. Get the key updates for your race, straight to your inbox.
07 Make your training relevant
Practise for this course.
One thing to rehearse
Use an out-and-back training route to practise holding the same effort in each direction, allowing the wind to change the pace if necessary.
08 Put your plan together
Useful before race day.
Plan your pre-run fuel
Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.
Explore the fuel plannerMake faster running more purposeful
Explore the balance of easy running, quality sessions and recovery.
Read the guideKnow what each session is for
Make sense of easy runs, tempo running, intervals and long runs.
Read the guideA plan that fits your life.
Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.
Official race information
Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.