It's Grim Up North Running Leeds Canal Side Run
Out of Granary Wharf behind Leeds station and straight onto the Leeds & Liverpool towpath through Kirkstall and beyond: 10k to ultra, flat and traffic-free.
| Distance | Ascent | Per km |
|---|---|---|
| 52.2 km Ultra Marathon | — | — |
| 42.2 km Marathon | — | — |
| 20 Mile | — | — |
| 21.1 km Half Marathon | — | — |
| 10 Mile | — | — |
| 10K | — | — |
Nobody has reviewed this one yet
No reviews of the Leeds Canal Side Run, and nothing on what people wore. Both are things no organiser publishes and every runner wants before they enter — how it actually went, and what was on your feet.
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Pick your distance
starts 10:00
What you’re in for
A March race that starts in the middle of Leeds and is on the towpath within a hundred metres, 10k to the 52.2km ultra. The course starts at Granary Wharf behind Leeds station, joins the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at its very beginning and follows the towpath west out of the city through Armley and Kirkstall, an out-and-back turning at a marshal. A city start with no car needed — the station is above you. The marathon is two halves and the ultra is two halves plus a 10k.
Terrain and trail
Surfaced towpath from the first step, flat and traffic-free once you are clear of the wharf. The first couple of kilometres run under the city's bridges and past Armley Mills and can be busy with walkers and bikes; it thins out towards Kirkstall. Fast, even ground the whole way, with the usual towpath puddles after rain. Feed stations roughly every three miles with drinks, sweets and cake, and the events are cup-less, so bring your own cup or bottle. A GPX is supplied and not every junction has a marshal, so know where the turn is. Over-ear headphones are not allowed, and some road crossings are unmarshalled.

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Train for it: routes near the start
Routes starting within 20 km of Granary Wharf, Leeds, nearest first. Each one has a free GPX file and a TRP grade, so you can rehearse the ground before race day.
VERY HARDHow to enter
Sat, 6 Mar 2027 · Entries open · £29–£43
Enter on their website ↗Entries are handled by It's Grim Up North Running, not by us. We take nothing for sending you there.
Add to your calendar · with the start time
Common questions
- The Leeds Canal Side Run offers 6 distances: 10K (6.2 miles), 10 Mile (16.1 km), Half Marathon (21.1 km / 13.1 miles), 20 Mile (32.2 km), Marathon (42.2 km / 26.2 miles), Ultra Marathon (52.2 km / 32.4 miles).