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.

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.