Road closure warnings ahead of popular charity race

THOUSANDS of runners will take to the streets on Sunday morning for this year’s Asda Foundation Leeds 10K.

Since its launch by Jane Tomlinson in 2007, the race, which this year has up to 10,000 runners taking part, has raised more than £2m for a host of good causes.

More than 90 teams of runners from companies across Yorkshire will line up for this summer’s race in the Corporate Challenge, too.

The organisers, Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, are now advising runners, spectators, residents and visitors that a number of the city’s roads will be closed or have access restricted during the event on Sunday.

Closures will begin from 4am and will affect roads around the 10km course. They will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.

City centre roads affected by the closures include: Great George Street, Calverley Street, Cookridge Street, Merrion Street, Vicar Lane, Call Lane, Wellington Street, Kirkstall Road, West Street and The Headrow.

A new route was introduced last year.  Starting at the top of the Vicar Lane – opposite the Grand Arcade, it takes competitors towards Call Lane and Sovereign Street, along Wellington Street and out along Kirkstall Road. Runners will turn and return into town back along Kirkstall Road and continue into the city to finish outside Leeds Town Hall on The Headrow.

Leeds 10K event lead Charlie Tatman said: “The Leeds 10K is an enormously popular event and once again we are expecting a tremendous turnout.

“Obviously the safety of participants and spectators is absolutely paramount and that means some road closures are unavoidable. We do work really hard to keep any disruption to a minimum but unfortunately a certain amount is inevitable and we would like to apologise in advance.

“Thank you to everyone for their continued support of the Leeds 10K.”

Participants can raise funds for any charity of their choice, but are particularly encouraged to support the event’s official partner charities, which this year are: Yorkshire Cancer Research, Leeds Children’s Hospital Appeal, Martin House Children’s Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, The Haven breast cancer support centre and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

The Leeds 10K is sponsored by the Asda Foundation, Clarion solicitors and TheBusinessDesk.com among others. To register or for a full list of road closures go to http://www.runforall.com/