I ran the Leeds Half Marathon 2025: Here’s how it went

Sunday 11th May 2025 marked the annual Leeds Half Marathon and Marathon event this year, and although the relentless sun was blazing down on us throughout, it was definitely one to remember.

Running with thousands of people who had come from all over, and having a crowd shouting support and motivation from start to end, made this run a memorable one for sure. The incredible crowd were absolutely the reason that I Usain Bolt-ed around the whole course (ish…).

Along the route was live entertainment, endless boxes of Haribo, both hilarious and beautiful signs such as “Hot Girls Run Half Marathons”, “Think of the Kudos” and “You’ve got this!”, and even the LUU Irish Dancing Society were there to give the runners all the luck they could. However, some of the best sightings of the day had to be the men in a full-on rhino and crocodile costume, Monster’s Inc. Mike Wazowski making an appearance, and an incredibly inspirational runner carrying a washing machine on his back the whole way around.

Running the Leeds Half gave me an escape from Eddy B and the gruelling, endless work which always seems to fill our to-do lists. What? It was productive procrastination for my mental health – even though my mental health was definitely tested on Sunday.

After 13.1 miles of what I can only describe as a consistent, gradual uphill, passing the finish line with a round of applause and shiny, new medal made this the most special day possible, and one I would recommend to anyone considering it next year.

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Lucy, a 23-year-old, third year English Literature student also took part in the race on Sunday, saying that even though she had already ran a couple of half marathons before, the Leeds one was “by far the best one” she had ever done.

When asked about her experience of the day, she said: “The atmosphere was unbelievable and people were cheering pretty much the entire way. It felt like the whole city had come out in force to celebrate and support the runners.”

Lucy told The Leeds Tab about what it meant to her to run the half marathon in her final year: “As I’m nearing the end of my time at Leeds Uni there was something so special about running round my stomping ground for the past few years. It felt like such a great send off – I can’t recommend it enough to students!”

What better way is there to have a lasting connection to your university’s home, whether you’re a first or final year?

Coming from a final year uni student, I owe a lot to running. It has gotten me out the house and away from the computer screen when I have needed it most, and has been an escape from the lows we all experience at one point or another on this educational journey.

Leeds Half Marathon 2025 was the perfect way to celebrate my time here. The crowd, the adrenaline, the reward of it and, of course, the mountain of (very deserved) delicious food afterwards is unlike any other feeling.

So what are you waiting for? This marks one year where if you start training now, you could even challenge yourself to signing up next year and soaking up all the glory then! I can’t recommend it enough.

Congratulations to everyone who took part!