South Leeds Lakers Running Club again hosted a successful Yorkshire Veterans Athletic Association Grand Prix race on Middleton Clearings last Wednesday (9 July 2025).
It’s become a regular fixture at the height of summer and is a popular race for over 35 year old athletes from various Yorkshire clubs.
Previous races at Honley, Kirkstall, Queensbury, Morley and Pudsey had gone down well, and with Northowram, Stainland and Ackworth to come the runners spent a warm evening in Middleton Woods on a challenging course.
The race had 268 entrants and was won by Paul Gordon from Hillsborough and Rivelin RC in a time of 33.07. First lady was Amy Ramsden-Young of Hyde Park Harriers in position 30 and first Laker back was Simon Purll in position 29.
A team of 30 Marshals from the club helped and cheered runners around the course and the after show party was held in the Phoenix Bar (Hunslet RLFC) ably hosted by base commander Claire Burgess. The famous Lakers raffle went down well with the booze quickly being snapped up.
The course was a tough two lap course of Middleton Woods with an uphill finish on the Clearings. All athletes get free cake after and a refreshing cup of water served in the shade of the new Lakers Gazebo.
“A great race! Well organised and yummy cake” said Lynne Barrett of Pudsey Pacers, “This is one of my favourite courses” said Andy Flynn of Northowram Pumas.
South Leeds Lakers (15+ years) meet on a Tuesday evening (6.50pm) at Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club, and can be booked for free on Runtogether or check out www.southleedslakers.co.uk
There is also a Junior section (8-14 years) meeting Fridays 6pm at the South Leeds Stadium, details also on the website.
South Leeds Lakers would like to thanks Friends of Middleton Park, John Charles Centre for Sport and South Leeds Aero Modellers Society for their co-operation.
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