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University of Leeds

Leeds parkrun is a FREE weekly 5km event for runners of all standards, which takes place every Saturday at 9am in Woodhouse Moor; it is not a race against other runners, but a 5k timed run and it can really be whatever you want it to be, whether that's for fun or as part of a training plan.

It offers an opportunity for all the local community, male or female, young or old, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy this beautiful park and get physically active into the bargain. We want to encourage people to jog or run together irrespective of their ability – this event is truly open to all and best of all it really is FREE!

Taking part is easy – just register before your first ever parkrun. The great thing is that you only ever need to do this once! Then just set your alarm for Saturday morning and get yourself there!

After the run, if you don’t have to get off straight away, there will be the chance to socialise with everyone at the Café to maybe swap stories about your run that day, chat to other runners over a cup of tea or coffee and just be an important part of this new running community.

So whether you are a complete novice looking to get yourself started on your own "running journey" or a seasoned athlete wanting to use this as a part of your training schedule, you’re welcome to come along and join us.

Supporting Leeds parkrun

Sport & Physical Activity Service

The Sport & Physical Activity Service (SPA) at the University is responsible for the University's sports facilities and development programmes. Our staff team comprises of some 100 people committed to delivering the highest levels of service to our customers. SPA are fully committed to delivering on their mission which is to, "provide the best experience for students, staff and the local community through sport and physical activity".

Within its aims and objectives SPA are particulary keen to "build our community impact particularly the social and economic development of the City".

SPA are the main deliverers of parkrun Leeds working closely with and supported by many key partners including ACE, The Department for Sport & Execise Sciences, Leeds City Council, The University of Leeds Alumni Fund & parkrun

University of Leeds Alumni

Many thousands of our students participate each year in our university recreational and competitive sporting programmes and we are proud of the impact these students make both on university life and after graduation on the wider world of sport. Our Sports Alumni tell us that some of their most fulfilling and enjoyable moments at the University came through their involvement in sport and volunteering.

The University of Leeds Alumni Fund has helped provide financial support allowing the parkrun Leeds to get off the ground and become an established opportunity to particpiate and volunteer in sport. University fundraising programmes help ensure that we provide world-class support for current students.

Access and Community Engagement

Access and Community Engagement (ACE) at the University of Leeds covers four core areas on University activity:

ACCESS – The University is committed to ensuring that the University is accessible to everyone regardless of age or background.
COMMUNITY – The University seeks to foster a positive relationship with its local communities.
WORKING CULTURALLY – The University sees its role as a provider of cultural events and facilities within the community as vital, productive and, essentially, reciprocal.
WORKING STRATEGICALLY – The University works in strategic partnership to support the city and region. We recognise that the University and the City are intrinsically linked and the success of both is vital to the social and cultural development of the city.

ACE work closely with SPA to provide and deliver sustainable sports volunteering opportunities and are working in partnership on the parkrun Leeds to aid its success.

Centre for Sport & Exercise Sciences

The Centre for Sport & Exercise Sciences at the University of Leeds is in the top 10 in the 'Times Higher Education guide'. Sport and Exercise Science is the scientific study of how the body and mind cope with, handle and learn from the stresses of performance in sport and exercise.

The department works closely with the Sport & Physical Activity Service on a number of projects and areas. parkrun Leeds has created a sustainable opportuntity for Sports Science students to volunteer and build on their volunteering contributions for their course requirements and their non academic CV's.

Prize Information

At parkrun we strive to introduce new people to running. We encourage regular running activity, dedication and the attainment of goals. We don’t set these goals for you - you do that yourself! We are most positive about helping the everyday runner.

Points

Points are allocated for every run that you take part in. These points are designed to encourage consistency and improved performance.

After each run we separate the men & women into their own categories. For each category, starting at 100 for the first runner to finish we allocate a score to each finisher, reducing the score by one point until one point. Thereafter everyone gets one point.

So, if you were the 15th finisher in your category you scored 86 points. If you were the 123rd finisher in your category you score one point. You can review the individual points per race on the results page.

Monthly Prize

The Sweatshop prize is awarded monthly. The winner is decided at the our discretion and will be announced at the first run of every month. The prize is a new pair of running shoes, provided and fitted by the Sweatshop.

The Team

Leeds parkrun would not exist without the support from its committee and volunteers:

	Emma Mackenzie-Hogg : Event Director I manage the sports participation programme at the University of Leeds and as part of my role I have the privilege of being Leeds parkrun Event Director. Being a runner myself, I value the opportunity to be able to share my passion for running and encourage students and local community from all walks of life to engage with our weekly event. The personal fulfilment people gain from the event is a wonderful thing. People take part for many different reasons; fitness, enjoyment, socialising or to improve a PB. I see my role as encouraging people to get involved (as a participant or volunteer) and to ensure the ethos of parkrun remains strong.

Tasha Whishaw : Event Director I am currently taking a one year placement working as Sports Business and Marketing Support Officer for the University of Leeds before completing my degree next year. Having been a Run Director during my second year as a Sports Science student I am so grateful to get the opportunity to support Emma’s role as Event Director this year. I decided to get involved with parkrun at the end of my first year at University as it sounded like such an inspirational event that many of my friends took part in. My whole family now do parkrun every Saturday morning and take pride in volunteering every few weeks to help the event maintain such brilliant standards. It is so encouraging to see runners of all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes come together in the park to share their love for running.

	Matthew Crehan : Run Director/Head of Communications I am currently studying Sports and Exercise Science at Leeds, with the foresight of wanting to design and build running shoes. As a keen runner myself competing at national level, what was a better way to give back to my sport that has given me so much, than to take on the role as one of Leeds parkrun Run Directors. In my role as Head of Communications, I deal with the emails that we get weekly, asking how to volunteer or sign up to parkrun and I make sure that my relevant colleagues are made aware of these emails and that they are dealt with as quick as possible. For me parkrun is a great initiative in the sport I love, it’s not only there for those that already run but for anyone who wants to run and simply have fun. parkrun has a great community spirit, both at Leeds, across the country and now even the world. With the London Olympics this summer what better way to be involved in sport than to run, volunteer or spectator at a parkrun event.

Jocelyn Payne : Run Director/Volunteer Coordinator I am currently studying MA Communication Studies at Leeds, but as I am hoping to pursue a career in Sports Development, the role offered here at parkrun seemed perfect for me. I am a dedicated parkrunner myself, having been attending since my first year at Leeds University in 2008, and my current goal is to get my '50' t-shirt! I love the social side of parkrun, especially the friendly competition and support all the runners and volunteers give each other. As Volunteer Coordinator, I get to chat to loads of people which is my favourite thing to do...other than running!

	Cesar Lozano Martine : Run Director/Head of Operations I’m studying Sport and Exercise Science and hope to work in the sports industry after my degree. parkrun gives me a good starting foundation to pursue my career aspirations. Having loved sport science from a young age and playing a wide variety of sports; running is definitely a favourite. Getting involved with parkrun is a great way for me to give back to the local community and University. What I really like about parkrun is the values surrounding it, the atmosphere on the day and everything it stands for in catering for all and making sure everyone enjoys their run regardless of their goals. Love Leeds, Love parkrun!

Megan Sullivan : Run Director/Special Events I study Sport and Exercise Science; therefore, I am interested in promoting a healthy lifestyle. I decided to become a parkrun Run Director due to it being a free event that allows anyone from elite to amateur to take part and so supporting those who may not otherwise take part in activity. I love the ethos surrounding the parkrun, especially the welcoming feeling and encouragement provided by the community of Leeds Woodhouse Moor parkrun. The role appealed to me because I would be the person to see improvements, as well as the feelings of accomplishments on people’s faces as they come through that finish line, every week. parkrun is such a worthy cause to support, and I hope I will be involved with it for the rest of my life.