'I completed my first race at the Abbey Dash after being inspired by covering the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon'
It’s been a long time coming, but completing my first race was definitely worth the wait.
Upon taking up running back in 2017 to support my physical and mental health, I had always considered it as something of a personal and private endeavour.
But taking part in the weekly parkrun at Woodhouse Moor upon moving to Leeds in 2022 and reporting from the inaugural Leeds Marathon changed that, as I got to experience first hand the camaraderie and community spirit the past time can evoke; never more so embodied than the moment that Kevin Sinfield carried Rob Burrow over the finishing line back in 2023.
And on Sunday my running story felt like it came full circle, as I finally got round to taking part in my first race in the form of the Abbey Dash.
Having previously lived in Burley and enjoyed the bliss of running through the Kirkstall Abbey gardens after sauntering down the canal and amidst Bramley Fall Park, it was as good an environment as any to kickstart my race running endeavours.
It may be a while before I’m taking on Sinfield and Sara Cox-like challenges, but my run up and down Kirkstall Road alongside thousands of others has done nothing but encourage me to push on.
Starting on Wellington Street from 9.30am on a brisk but dazzlingly bright morning, there was a throng of competitors lining the streets and getting ready as pop bangers and motivational cries (as well as the beratement of those living nearby or staying in hotels who were complaining about the noise) blasted out through the Tannoys that line the streets alongside the bag drop-off lorries and number-collection points. It’s certainly a sobering and awakening experience for those who enjoyed their Saturday nights too much.
While my running regime had been on-and-off in the preceding weeks I felt mildly confident, though also notably unprepared, as I set off with the rest of those in the green assembly wave who fancied themselves capable of finishing between 55 minutes and an hour. It was half an hour after the first cohort left and we saw the elite runners complete the race, with winner James McMurray crossing the finish just as we were setting off with an eye-watering time of just 28 minutes and 52 seconds.
The route is straight, fast and flat - a welcome change for my friends who had done the Sheffield 10km a few months prior - and we set off to the sound of hooting and hollering from those who lined the streets at the start. This encouragement was continued throughout the route as people of all ages turned out with signs and horns to urge on their families, colleagues and teachers; undoubtedly one of the most heart-warming aspects of the day.
The route up and down Kirkstall Road is a mostly industrial and commercial one but the appearance of the punters and odd buskers by Kirkstall Brewery and outside The Cardigan Arms gave it plenty of life before we made it to the magnificent site of Kirkstall Abbey. After doing a 180 turn by Burley Rugby Club we headed back the way we came as the low-hanging sun beamed its way through the ruins of the Cistercian monastery; a site as energy-infusing as anything else along the route.
After grabbing one of the bottles of water being handed out it was a case of carrying on for the second half and overlooking the increasing strain I could feel in my legs. As I made it to the last two kilometres I traded the Irish postpunk tunes playing through my headphones to be driven on by the crowd’s energy and hum of hundreds of feet and gasping from those alongside me to send me home.
I took my mind off of any emerging blisters and growing tension to finish the race strongly and was greeted by our photographer, whose pictures had me looking flustered and far less flattering than I’d imagined, and the intense demand to ‘KEEP MOVING’ from the speakers. I hit ‘stop’ on my running app to find I’d completed the track in far less time than I’d originally aimed for - 51 minutes and 44 seconds - before grabbing my medal-containing goody bag and soon-to-be-cherished Abbey Dash 2025 T-shirt.
Immeasurably pleased despite finishing second out of my group (until next time, Turan) we celebrated our success with a well-earned drink at the Christmas market, a feature that makes the option to hold the event in the depths of the year make more sense.
After a couple of our group headed home on the train, hopefully not too badly hit by the disruption, we headed for the warmth and wonderful food offerings at White Cloth Hall.
After a good night’s kip, the buzz and sense of achievement has still permeated into today, with my thoughts firmly on when the next race will come.