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The end for Leeds half marathon



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Published Date: 09 January 2008
By Debbie Leigh
ONE of the most important dates in the city's sporting calendar has been cancelled without warning.

Leeds City Council has revealed it will not be holding the Half Marathon this year – for the first time in 22 years – claiming it wants to focus all its attention on backing the 10k Jane Tomlinson Run for All.

WHAT DO YOU THINK TO THE COUNCIL'S DECISION TO AXE THE LEEDS HALF MARATHON? EMAIL US BY CLICKING HERE. WE'LL PUBLISH THE LOT.

Running clubs across Leeds are disappointed by the shock decision to cancel the 13.1-mile road race, the only one of its kind in the city, especially as Leeds already has another 10k race, the Abbey Dash.

Bob Jackson, chairman of Valley Striders running club in Alwoodley, said: "I was shocked, it's such a shame.

"What's sad is that Leeds Marathon disappeared in 2003 but to take away the Leeds Half Marathon, to say they can't support it because they're supporting the Jane Tomlinson run, is a shame.

"Jane Tomlinson was a marathon runner and a triathlon competitor, how can people train for marathons and triathlons without such events?"

The 56-year-old, who has run the Leeds Marathon or Half Marathon more than 20 times, questioned why the council couldn't organise both, saying: "They managed to run the two of them last year, including one from scratch."

Last year's Half Marathon on May 13 had its biggest turnout ever, with more than 5,700 taking part, while the inaugural Run for All on June 24, organised by Rothwell mum-of-three Jane just three months before her death, had an impressive 6,000 entries and raised £500,000 for charity.

During her seven-year-battle with cancer Jane raised £1.75m for charity in a series of gruelling events.

A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: "Leeds' Half Marathon and Jane's Run for All were held just over a month apart last year and with the 2008 event aiming to increase numbers and create a lasting legacy for Jane, it was felt appropriate to combine the two.

Ridiculous

"Therefore Leeds City Council has decided not to hold the Half Marathon in 2008 in favour of throwing its weight fully behind the Run for All 10k race."

But running clubs say the idea of "combining" a 6.2 mile race with a 13.1 mile race is ridiculous as they are entirely different.

The full article contains 408 words and appears in EP Leeds First & County newspaper.
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  • Last Updated: 09 January 2008 11:24 AM
  • Source: EP Leeds First & County
  • Location: Leeds
 
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Mel Bryan,

Burley in Wharfedale 09/01/2008 20:39:30
I am disgusted by the decision of Leeds council to withdraw support for the Leeds Half Marathon.

I first ran this in 2006 after starting running to both lose weight and become healthier after a relation died of a heart attack aged 45.

The half marathon distance is an important one for runners as it is the next step up after the 10k distance.

For a city the size and reputation of Leeds to not provide both it's own city's runners and all those who travel great distances, a half marathon distance race is a huge disappointment. There should be room in the calender for both the 10k races (Run for All and Abbey Dash) as well as a half marathon, this could be moved to earlier in the year and indeed may well be more supported if staged in the build up to the London Marathon.

I sincerely hope that Leeds City Council take into account the feelings of runners towards the decision to axe the Leeds Half Marathon in 2008 and that we see Leeds Half Marathon 2009 back on the racing calender.
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John Farthing,

Ilkley 13/01/2008 00:43:25
Last years’ Leeds half marathon was my first half marathon ever and it was a fantastic event. I have also taken part in the Abbey Dash and the Jane Tomlinson 10K which were also fabulous events but they were not half marathons. I had a place in the Great North Run last year and the timing of the Leeds Half in May last year was just right in the build up to the GNR. It is a tragedy that this event has been cancelled and Leeds should be thinking of ways to make the event even more popular. It must attract thousands of supporters of the entrants who have nothing better to do for 2 - 3 hours than to shop and spend hundreds of pounds in local cafes. What have the local business fraternity to say about this ridiculous decision. Sheffield stage a really popular Half Marathon and I bet Meadowhall rub their hands together every year.

The race will not detract from the Jane Tomlinson 10K which will still attract a mass of runners and who will in the future, I am sure, have to endure a ballot for entry like all the other big city events.

John Farthing (55)
Ilkley
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