Leek Half Marathon

Sunday 18th August 2013

Race starts at 10:30am.

Leek Half Marathon (sponsored by F Ball & Co)

After a rest last year, Leek Half Marathon returns reinvigorated for 2013, which will see the 27^th running of the event. We have listened to feedback this year and have brought forward the starting time to 10.30am.

Our sponsors

The race is generously sponsored again by F Ball & Co, based in Cheddleton (http://www.f-ball.co.uk/) and the UK’s leading manufacturer of flooring adhesive and floor preparation products for the contact flooring industry.

The course

The course starts in the lovely surroundings of Leek’s Brough Park before heading out past the remnants of Dieulacres Abbey at Abbey Green and onto the village of Meerbrook. Runners then cross the bridge over Tittesworth Reservoir with a slight uphill to the Three Horseshoes Inn at Blackshaw Moor. From there, it is a left hand turn on the main Leek-Buxton road for less than half a mile, which is coned and taped off for runners’ safety, and another left turn to Upperhulme. The road then climbs for a couple of miles with respite from time to time. This is the toughest part but occasional glances to the left give fabulous views of the Staffordshire Moorlands countryside as a reward. At Roache Grange, the fastest part of the course beckons with descent for several miles before reaching Meerbrook again and back to Brough Park via Abbey Green. Most of the route is on quiet country lanes with markers every mile.

Drinks stations are at 3, 6, and 9 miles and also at the finish.

Runner’s World readers gave it a total overall score of 89% with 96% saying they would do it again and scenery scored an impressive 94%.

Entries

Entries are limited to 500. The cost is £12 to club runners and £14 to others if the entry is received on or before 5 August. Entries received by this date will be guaranteed a t-shirt – this is to minimise cost through reduced wastage and enable us to offer a great race for a very reasonable price. Entries can be made afterwards, including on race day (assuming the 500 limit has not been reached) and the cost is reduced slightly to reflect the fact that t-shirts will not be available. The cost after 5 August is £11 (club runner) or £13 (unattached runner). For those entering early, t-shirt sizes should be specified on the entry. Electronic entry is preferred as it is easier for everyone (there is a very small charge for applying via this route but is good value considering there is no need for stamps, stationery and physically posting). The direct link is here: http://www.race-results.co.uk/onlineentries/user/login.php?raceid=1315

The traditional entry form can be accessed here: http://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2013/efleekhalf.pdf

Race numbers

This year we will not be posting out numbers so they will need to be collected on race day from our temporary race day office in Brough Park Leisure Centre from 9am onwards. The leisure centre is only 200 metres from the start. The leisure centre is just off Fowlchurch Road, Leek with the post code being ST13 6AT (website: http://www.leisurecentre.com/Centre-Home/brough-park-leisure-centre-swimming-gym-spinning-tennis/31.aspx#).

Car parking

There is lots of free parking at the leisure centre or at California Car Park on Vicarage Road. The latter car park is only 200 metres from the leisure centre and 400 metres from the start. See http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/leek/ for more car parks.

After the race

There is a café in the leisure centre to replenish your reserves but why not head into Leek town centre as well? There is a good selection of quaint cafés  and excellent public houses serving food such as Den Engel (Belgian bar), The Roebuck (Titanic Brewery),  Cock Inn (Joules Brewery) and Blue Mugge (free house) to name a few within 5 minutes’ walk from the leisure centre – the traders would love to see you! You can also see the “Monument”, a magnificent structure which is perhaps the finest and certainly the tallest war memorial in the country and simply relax with a stroll around the town…

About our club

Summer Series 2013 Information

Please do not send in advance entries by post. Only new memberships that can be processed at least a week before the first race should be sent in. Otherwise, please wait until the first race to to so.

Please note that we no longer run these races under the UKA rules. Enough is enough ... We now affiliate to "The Association of Running Clubs".

Many thanks to all the helpers, organisers, spectators and runners. Without you ...

Please email all questions, issues etc. to the address below.

Updates

1. There will only be 9 races this year, due toproblems with venues and finding enough Race Directors. Series pre-entry prices have been adjusted accordingly.
2. All entries are 'on the day'. Please feel free to fill out entry forms in advance, but please do not send them in.

Please note:

• SMAC members must be 'paid up' in order to qualify for the 'club rate' entry fee. You will be asked to pay the 'unaffiliated' rate if the Membership Secretary has not received your subs by the first race.
• Non-SMAC runners must produce their current EA card in order to qualify for the 'affiliated' rate. If you cannot do this, you will be asked to pay the 'unaffiliated' rate.

The schedule of races is as follows:

We would like to hear from volunteers who would be willing to help the 'Race Finishers'. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you can help.