01 / KNOW THE ROUTE
What the course asks of you
Headingley Stadium and the university
The race starts at AMT Headingley Stadium at 10:00 and finishes back there. The early miles pass the University of Leeds. A stadium start can feel fast with crowds and a downhill feel out of the grounds, so hold back.
Meanwood and Golden Acre Park
The route heads north of the city into Meanwood and past Golden Acre Park. This is the quieter, greener part of the course and a good place to lock into rhythm once the field has spread.
Leeds Road and the stadium finish
Runners turn back on Leeds Road towards the stadium. Crowd support is a big part of the day, especially with the marathon on the same programme. Use the final approach to the stadium to build only if you have paced the first half well.
02 / BUILD THE BLOCK
How to prepare
Prepare for a rolling city course
Leeds is not a pancake-flat half. Include some long runs with short rises so changes of gradient do not surprise you around Meanwood.
Practise a mid-morning start
A 10:00 start changes breakfast timing. Do a few long runs later in the morning and rehearse your race-day meal so you are not experimenting in May.
Build through early spring
Most of a 12-week block falls in February and March. Keep easy running easy, and extend steady or tempo work as daylight improves.
Keep the running and strength work in one place. Explore MaxMile for your Leeds Half Marathon preparation, or compare the levels of personal coaching.
03 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Pace the race you have trained for
Leave Headingley at controlled effort. The university section and the run out to Meanwood are where people often go out too hard on adrenaline and crowds.
Settle once you are past Golden Acre Park, then use Leeds Road and the stadium approach as your progress check. Pacers sponsored by Arla Protein are on the course if you want a group. Save a little for the finish inside the stadium atmosphere.
04 / MAKE ROOM FOR TRAINING
When should your block start?
The 2027 Leeds Half Marathon is on Sunday 9 May. A 12-week half-marathon block would begin around Sunday 14 February 2027, or a 10-week block around Sunday 28 February. Your longest runs then fall in March and April.
Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027, about six weeks out, which suits one of your longer weekends if you keep the Monday recovery honest. If you also have the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on your radar for another year, treat this half as race practice and keep the week after easy.
05 / SORT THE PRACTICAL BITS
Kit and race-weekend planning
Run For All posts race numbers in advance. Water stations hand out 330 ml bottles, and Applied Nutrition energy stations are also on course. Pacers are available. First aid and a recovery area sit near the start and finish.
Because the marathon runs the same day, expect busy travel around Headingley and the north of Leeds. Check the organiser’s travel and road-closure pages closer to race day. Headphones are allowed, but stay aware of marshals and other runners. Entry for 2027 is currently steered through the Leeds Duo Season Ticket or a register-interest list for general entry. Check the organiser’s page before you plan.
