Thank you so much for doing this, I studied in Leeds in the late 90s and will be running on Sunday to raise money for the MNDA, I really can't wait to be back in Leeds with thousands of people all running for their own reasons but all running together. That was a really great video thank you kindly.
Really enjoyed the high speed ride round Leeds. Reminded me a lot of the black and white London to Brighton train journey which took minutes speeded up! I loved how you whizzed past all the cars in the cycle lane and your high speed approach to blockages. Great seeing the star ships too - I had one coming through the start of a parkrun that I was RD at. Everyone had to part like Moses and the sea 🤪Thanks for sharing.
Great video! I watched after completing, probably the wrong way round but good to re see it all! What an amazing day and such incredible support everywhere!!
Lol... You shouldn't be allowed to watch it afterwards as you'll see the little bits I got wrong 😜 I'm editing the race day video now. You're not wrong about the support! I was blown away by it! Congratulations on getting round in that heat 💪
@@NicolaRuns Your wish came true! We did get great weather! Hope you had a successful pacing run. The video really helped me prepare for the hills so I kept a good pace throughout, just wanted to say thanks again!
@@danmount007 congratulations on completing your first marathon! 😃 That was not an easy race! I'm so pleased the video helped. I think I wished too hard for the weather... That was a bit too hot! 🤣 Pacing went well thanks but it wasn't an easy race to pace! 🙃
I figured I was doing a recce anyway so thought I'd extend my role as pacer to bring anyone along who can't get out to recce it. I'm so happy you found it useful 😃 have a great race 💪🏃🏃♀️🏃♂️💪
Looking forward to this so much! I ran London marathon last weekend but the start and finish lines are about 400m from my house, so I thought it’d be rude not to sign up for this too😂
I'm not a runner, but still have to watch every one of your videos. This one was amazing to me for a couple of reasons. First, I couldn't believe the amount of bicycle paths in and around Leeds. Where I live (another country) you would be taking your life in your hands to ride a bike anywhere except maybe in your own neighborhood or in a park. Second, the scenery was stunning along parts of that route. Even if I were a runner, it would be hard to just focus on running and not stop and take in that scenery. I hope you have lovely weather for the actual race, and that everything goes well.
Thank you 🤗 I love the differences between countries 😃 I think we think of places like the Netherlands and think our cycling networks are not that great! I guess the grass is always greener! There are some stunning views, although it is hilly I think this is a really great marathon route 😍 I'm looking forward to running it! 🏃♀️
Thank you for turning left at 9:19. I did a recce run few weeks ago and mistakenly carried /crawled straight up what is a monster of hill 😂 Phew now I know👍
Oh no!!! You won't forget to turn now though 🤣🤣🤣 I think you must have gone up East Chevin which is definitely a monster of a hill... You'll probably think the marathon is flat after running up East Chevin ⛰️🤣
I’m not sure if this has made me more or less nervous!! 🫣 Thank you for sharing though! I love countryside runs, so hoping the beautiful scenery will help distract me. That and the thought of my bestest running buddy who we lost to MND last year… He’ll be kicking me up those hills in my head haha. Would probably prefer this to not be my first marathon, but then I probably wouldn’t be doing one at all if it weren’t this event! Good luck with the pacing! I’ll know I’ve gone off way too fast if I can see you 🤣
Knowing your "why" is a pretty big part of marathon running and it sounds like you have a pretty great reason of why to hold on to ❤️ Yeah I really like this route, we'll be running in nice places so although it's hilly I'd rather take that than flat and super central. We just need good weather so we can appreciate the scenery 🤞☀️
Oh wow, that looks like a tough marathon (not that there are many easy ones) but again lovely scenery! Have a great day pacing. If I was running I'd be aiming for around 5 hours on a hilly one so it'll be interesting to see how it all goes.
Best wishes for your Marathon Nicola and hope the pacing goes according to plan. This marathon route looks more undulating than say London or Manchester so I would think that will make pacing a little harder. I was asked once to be a 25 minute pacer at a parkrun but declined as when I have attempted to pace some interval sessions at my club's running track it hasn't gone well! For some reason I imagined the Leeds area was pretty flat but my knowledge of the geography of Yorkshire is not the best, limited to a stop at a service station near Sheffield.
Thank you ☺️ Yes Leeds is very hilly! Definitely a lot more of a challenge than London or Manchester, it's definitely going to be a difficult one to pace. We'll have to bank a few minutes for the long climb at mile 17ish. Pacing can be tricky but you do get used to it. It's so rewarding when you do it and people come and thank you 😃 it's the best feeling🏃♀️ Maybe give it another go although it's not for everyone 🤷🏻♀️ each to their own! 🤗
Cheers Nicola. First of all can I say, thanks for uploading. 🙂 Interesting insight into what looks a very tough assignment. I’m going to be brutally honest and say I’m not overly impressed. How much of this route is actually Leeds? Think they could've chosen a more runner-friendly course within the city - who wants to run up a long, steep drag when you're so far into a marathon? Guess the person who devised the course isn't actually running it themselves. 😆 It is what it is. We’ll just have to tackle it accordingly. I do think it’ll be a massive occasion for the city and I can’t wait. From your point of view, it might be tricky assignment to pace such an up/down course so it will be interesting to see how you tackle it. Thanks again. Much appreciated.
It's definitely going to be a tough one to pace! I've still not decided 100% how to do it. Time has to be banked because it's not going to be easy for people to claw the time back in the last 3 miles which is where the course best lends itself to speeding up. I get your point about the route. Personally I love the scenery around there but there may have been more support and interest from people outside of Leeds to go past some Leeds landmarks. I guess in terms of road closures then this works relatively well. I shall reserve judgement for the day, it's either going to work really well or there'll be some pinch points early on so I'm interested to see how those are managed and if it's done in waved starts or what?! 🙃 Definitely a tough assignment! ⛰️🤣
A lot of work will be needed to prevent chaos on the roads with the closed roads. Diversions are needed. 3:27 is West Park not Far Headingley. The route passes where i live and the two places where used to live.
It's the start that I'm worried about! I'm not sure how they'll get 12,000 runners out before the front runners start coming back... I think it could be pretty congested! The route is pretty good around Otley to prevent road chaos but yeah... People in Leeds who don't know about it could get caught out. I've not seen any signage out yet but I'm sure it'll be going up soon 👍
Cool vid. I think the official route is slightly different in Otley... goes up Walkergate and Charles Street rather than looping round the main road...
@@philiptigg2472 🤣 not in that weather... Find somewhere nice in the sunshine... Sit down there 😜☀️ We also stopped in Arthington as it's just so beautiful. No café but just stopped and enjoyed how green it all is 😍😍😍
No worries 👍😃 although we stopped for a cafe stop in Otley and then I was on autopilot on the main road so got a tiny bit wrong there! 🙄 I've detailed it in the video description 🙃 Was meant to be one road to the left but I think so many people are doing a recce of the Otley bit but it's that initial bit from uni up to Bramhope that is going to be tougher than people think!
Thanks, if you're up this way then drop Nick a message at Northern Pacing Volunteers on Facebook 😃 if you're somewhere else then asking local running clubs is your best bet and I'm sure they can point you in the right direction 👍
Great video, which entirely justifies why I've chosen to volunteer at this event and not attempt to run it. I'm not convinced that everyone will agree with your assessment of it not being that bad, really!
Yes but by then they'll be doing it so there's very little choice then but to keep going 😜🤣 I think the Chevin is no way as bad as it was in my head but the hills at the start are worse than I thought they'd be! Cheer us extra hard and it'll help us get round 😃 Thanks for volunteering 🤗
@@NicolaRuns The first water station near Woodhouse Moor is being manned by HPH so you should see plenty of 'official' red and white at mile 3, at the very least. Good luck pacing the 5hr runners.
@@RiffMan117 I saw that... It'll be an awesome part of the course as it's by Woodhouse Moor so obviously close to our hearts anyway. I kinda wish the HPH cheer station was later as then we'll need it more. I'll have to find a way to store the red and white power 🔴🔴🔴⚪🔴😃💪🏃♀️
Awwww yes at this point it's ust a mental game. Positive thoughts, tell yourself you can do it. Just get to the start line. The run itself is your victory lap 💪🥰
Lol... It's not going to be easy but it's a great place to run. It's actually an awesome route! It's just going to be tricky to pace. The last 3 miles will be awesome though 😃🏃♀️
Looks a lovely route Nicola (except for the hills).... but it looks a very very very long way !!!! Just getting back to running after health problems, so just run / walking single digit km's at present! Good luck with your pacing!! - but how do you pace for the hills?
Well usually road marathons aren't this hilly so we just maintain a constant pace. People fall back a little on the uphill and overtake a bit on the downhill. We're all running within our means (my marathon PB is 3:45 and I'm pacing 5 hours) so usually just constant pace it is. However... this won't work here because the hills are long enough that it's highly unlikely that people could stay with us if we don't slow a little so we'll have to build little time banks on flat and downhill without going too fast that we lose people. It's definitely a pacing challenge. Fingers crossed we can get it right 🤞 All the best with your journey back to fitness 🤗
@@NicolaRuns Ah good , take your time , was just checking that you didnt stack it into a fjord or stackyfjordenson which is the correct term in norwegian 😂
Yes they do. You have to look out for the tabs though as the team dissolve them in the bottles of water so you have to pay attention. Otherwise you end up grabbing a bottle of regular water rather than the water with the electrolyte tab dissolved in it! 🙃
Thanks Nicola. that's a fantastic video. Your delivery is very warm and friendly. not sure about the route. We'll see on Sunday. cheers
Thank you so much for this! Made me feel so much better before tackling it tomorrow (I might even sleep!)
Oh that's ace, I'm pleased it helped. Good luck today 😃 hope you got some sleep 😴
Thank you so much for doing this, I studied in Leeds in the late 90s and will be running on Sunday to raise money for the MNDA, I really can't wait to be back in Leeds with thousands of people all running for their own reasons but all running together. That was a really great video thank you kindly.
Oh that's so cool, it'll be an awesome day and hopefully bring back some good memories of being in Leeds. It should be such an awesome day! 😃
Great video , your editing has gotten so good , i hear its a pain in the proverbial .Hope you have a lovely week and good luck in the marathon 😊
Awwww thank you so much! I just do it on my phone so I'm pleased if it's okay 😃
Really enjoyed the high speed ride round Leeds. Reminded me a lot of the black and white London to Brighton train journey which took minutes speeded up! I loved how you whizzed past all the cars in the cycle lane and your high speed approach to blockages. Great seeing the star ships too - I had one coming through the start of a parkrun that I was RD at. Everyone had to part like Moses and the sea 🤪Thanks for sharing.
A starship at parkrun?! That's like mine and Poppy's dream!!!! 😍😍😍
Great video! I watched after completing, probably the wrong way round but good to re see it all! What an amazing day and such incredible support everywhere!!
Lol... You shouldn't be allowed to watch it afterwards as you'll see the little bits I got wrong 😜 I'm editing the race day video now. You're not wrong about the support! I was blown away by it! Congratulations on getting round in that heat 💪
Very helpful Nicola, thank you for putting it together! First time marathon runner here! Good luck to everyone running 😀
Oh my goodness Dan I'm so excited for you! Really hope we get good weather 🤞 Wishing you the best of luck for your first marathon! 😃😃😃
@@NicolaRuns Your wish came true! We did get great weather! Hope you had a successful pacing run. The video really helped me prepare for the hills so I kept a good pace throughout, just wanted to say thanks again!
@@danmount007 congratulations on completing your first marathon! 😃 That was not an easy race! I'm so pleased the video helped. I think I wished too hard for the weather... That was a bit too hot! 🤣 Pacing went well thanks but it wasn't an easy race to pace! 🙃
Great preview Nicola, although those hills look a bit of a killer. All for a great cause though, best of luck with the pacing
Thanks 😊 Yes it definitely won't be the easiest marathon to run or to pace but it is a lovely route 😍
Thank you so much, this is genuinely brilliant and so useful, imagine if every marathon released a video like this before!
I figured I was doing a recce anyway so thought I'd extend my role as pacer to bring anyone along who can't get out to recce it. I'm so happy you found it useful 😃 have a great race 💪🏃🏃♀️🏃♂️💪
Looking forward to this so much! I ran London marathon last weekend but the start and finish lines are about 400m from my house, so I thought it’d be rude not to sign up for this too😂
fair play what time do you do at London, are you just resting between the two?
It would be rude not to right?! 😉😃 It's not a PB course anyway so just enjoy it! 😃
@@dottodot4437 I did a 2:48 at London. Probably should just be resting between the two, but I actually have a podium 5k race today as well😅
@@NicolaRuns that’s the plan!
I'm not a runner, but still have to watch every one of your videos. This one was amazing to me for a couple of reasons. First, I couldn't believe the amount of bicycle paths in and around Leeds. Where I live (another country) you would be taking your life in your hands to ride a bike anywhere except maybe in your own neighborhood or in a park. Second, the scenery was stunning along parts of that route. Even if I were a runner, it would be hard to just focus on running and not stop and take in that scenery. I hope you have lovely weather for the actual race, and that everything goes well.
Thank you 🤗 I love the differences between countries 😃 I think we think of places like the Netherlands and think our cycling networks are not that great! I guess the grass is always greener! There are some stunning views, although it is hilly I think this is a really great marathon route 😍 I'm looking forward to running it! 🏃♀️
Thank you for turning left at 9:19. I did a recce run few weeks ago and mistakenly carried /crawled straight up what is a monster of hill 😂
Phew now I know👍
Oh no!!! You won't forget to turn now though 🤣🤣🤣 I think you must have gone up East Chevin which is definitely a monster of a hill... You'll probably think the marathon is flat after running up East Chevin ⛰️🤣
Super cool to see the route and good to see you cross training on your bike!
I should be out on my bike more! Just need some good weather and child free time and I'll make it happen 😃
I’m not sure if this has made me more or less nervous!! 🫣
Thank you for sharing though! I love countryside runs, so hoping the beautiful scenery will help distract me. That and the thought of my bestest running buddy who we lost to MND last year… He’ll be kicking me up those hills in my head haha.
Would probably prefer this to not be my first marathon, but then I probably wouldn’t be doing one at all if it weren’t this event!
Good luck with the pacing! I’ll know I’ve gone off way too fast if I can see you 🤣
Knowing your "why" is a pretty big part of marathon running and it sounds like you have a pretty great reason of why to hold on to ❤️ Yeah I really like this route, we'll be running in nice places so although it's hilly I'd rather take that than flat and super central. We just need good weather so we can appreciate the scenery 🤞☀️
Thanks a lot for this. The route looks tough but looking forward to it.
You're more than welcome 🤗 tough but beautiful I reckon. Just hoping it doesn't rain! 🤞😊
Great video 👍 I'm equal amount of excited and nervous for this marathon. Aiming for 5 hours (hopefully under) So I'll keep a look out for you.
Thanks ☺️ Oh yay! Maybe see you on the day then! Come and say hi 👋
Oh wow, that looks like a tough marathon (not that there are many easy ones) but again lovely scenery! Have a great day pacing. If I was running I'd be aiming for around 5 hours on a hilly one so it'll be interesting to see how it all goes.
Thanks, yes it's not flat! 🙈 It's going to be a tricky one to pace! Wish us luck 🤞😃
Great video! Thanks and good luck to everyone running it x
Thank you 🤗
Best wishes for your Marathon Nicola and hope the pacing goes according to plan. This marathon route looks more undulating than say London or Manchester so I would think that will make pacing a little harder. I was asked once to be a 25 minute pacer at a parkrun but declined as when I have attempted to pace some interval sessions at my club's running track it hasn't gone well! For some reason I imagined the Leeds area was pretty flat but my knowledge of the geography of Yorkshire is not the best, limited to a stop at a service station near Sheffield.
Thank you ☺️ Yes Leeds is very hilly! Definitely a lot more of a challenge than London or Manchester, it's definitely going to be a difficult one to pace. We'll have to bank a few minutes for the long climb at mile 17ish. Pacing can be tricky but you do get used to it. It's so rewarding when you do it and people come and thank you 😃 it's the best feeling🏃♀️ Maybe give it another go although it's not for everyone 🤷🏻♀️ each to their own! 🤗
@@NicolaRuns Not as hilly as Bradford.
@@georgemacpherson1992 there isn't a Bradford marathon is there? 🤔
Loved the video ,so going to sign up for 2024.
Thanks, that's ace! Hope to see you there 😃🏃♀️
So excited for the 2024 edition!
Not long to go now! 😃
Hi Nicola, congratulations on pacing the Rob Burrows today, will there be a video of it?? 🙌
There will! I've got 2 other videos to edit but it was so exciting I think I'll bump it up and get editing now 😃😃😃
Cheers Nicola. First of all can I say, thanks for uploading. 🙂
Interesting insight into what looks a very tough assignment. I’m going to be brutally honest and say I’m not overly impressed. How much of this route is actually Leeds?
Think they could've chosen a more runner-friendly course within the city - who wants to run up a long, steep drag when you're so far into a marathon? Guess the person who devised the course isn't actually running it themselves. 😆
It is what it is. We’ll just have to tackle it accordingly. I do think it’ll be a massive occasion for the city and I can’t wait.
From your point of view, it might be tricky assignment to pace such an up/down course so it will be interesting to see how you tackle it.
Thanks again. Much appreciated.
It's definitely going to be a tough one to pace! I've still not decided 100% how to do it. Time has to be banked because it's not going to be easy for people to claw the time back in the last 3 miles which is where the course best lends itself to speeding up. I get your point about the route. Personally I love the scenery around there but there may have been more support and interest from people outside of Leeds to go past some Leeds landmarks. I guess in terms of road closures then this works relatively well. I shall reserve judgement for the day, it's either going to work really well or there'll be some pinch points early on so I'm interested to see how those are managed and if it's done in waved starts or what?! 🙃 Definitely a tough assignment! ⛰️🤣
A lot of work will be needed to prevent chaos on the roads with the closed roads. Diversions are needed. 3:27 is West Park not Far Headingley. The route passes where i live and the two places where used to live.
It's the start that I'm worried about! I'm not sure how they'll get 12,000 runners out before the front runners start coming back... I think it could be pretty congested! The route is pretty good around Otley to prevent road chaos but yeah... People in Leeds who don't know about it could get caught out. I've not seen any signage out yet but I'm sure it'll be going up soon 👍
Cool vid. I think the official route is slightly different in Otley... goes up Walkergate and Charles Street rather than looping round the main road...
Oops! You're right! I must have been distracted by our café stop! Silly me 🤦🏻♀️ Thanks for pointing it out, I have put an edit in the description 👍
@@NicolaRuns a cafe stop! And there was me thinking you did it all in one go... 😉
@@philiptigg2472 🤣 not in that weather... Find somewhere nice in the sunshine... Sit down there 😜☀️ We also stopped in Arthington as it's just so beautiful. No café but just stopped and enjoyed how green it all is 😍😍😍
Thanks Nicola, this has definitely helped!
I'm so pleased 😀 Good luck on the day 😊
@@NicolaRuns at least I know about Chevin now 😂😂
@@TheHutchRuns 🤣
@@NicolaRuns keep an eye out for the Bridlington Road Runners vests 😊
@@TheHutchRuns will do... Keep an eye out for the big flag with 5:00 on it 😃👋
Great video 🤩 Thank you 😊 and see you everyone on Sunday 14 of May 😬😏😊☺️
Can't wait! See you guys there... Not too long to go now! 😃🏃♀️
cheers me dears. I'd forgotten about the right turn and loop round WHM
No worries 👍😃 although we stopped for a cafe stop in Otley and then I was on autopilot on the main road so got a tiny bit wrong there! 🙄 I've detailed it in the video description 🙃 Was meant to be one road to the left but I think so many people are doing a recce of the Otley bit but it's that initial bit from uni up to Bramhope that is going to be tougher than people think!
Great video! How do you get into the world of pacing?? Would love to go at some half marathon pacing
Thanks, if you're up this way then drop Nick a message at Northern Pacing Volunteers on Facebook 😃 if you're somewhere else then asking local running clubs is your best bet and I'm sure they can point you in the right direction 👍
Great video, which entirely justifies why I've chosen to volunteer at this event and not attempt to run it. I'm not convinced that everyone will agree with your assessment of it not being that bad, really!
Yes but by then they'll be doing it so there's very little choice then but to keep going 😜🤣 I think the Chevin is no way as bad as it was in my head but the hills at the start are worse than I thought they'd be! Cheer us extra hard and it'll help us get round 😃 Thanks for volunteering 🤗
@@NicolaRuns The first water station near Woodhouse Moor is being manned by HPH so you should see plenty of 'official' red and white at mile 3, at the very least. Good luck pacing the 5hr runners.
@@RiffMan117 I saw that... It'll be an awesome part of the course as it's by Woodhouse Moor so obviously close to our hearts anyway. I kinda wish the HPH cheer station was later as then we'll need it more. I'll have to find a way to store the red and white power 🔴🔴🔴⚪🔴😃💪🏃♀️
Hi Nicola I’m running my first marathon next Sunday and watching your videos have been great are you pacing this year leeds 2024?
Thanks Gary, that's exciting! Your first marathon will definitely be memorable 😃 I'm pacing 5:30 this year 🏃♀️☺️
Oh and there's a few little course changes this year. Mainly the same but at the start it's a little different and in Otley but super tiny changes ☺️
Your video has really helped calm my nerves. #maranoia XX
Awwww yes at this point it's ust a mental game. Positive thoughts, tell yourself you can do it. Just get to the start line. The run itself is your victory lap 💪🥰
@@NicolaRuns this just made me cry with joy!! Thanks Nicola. 😍
@@lornapotter9330 you're more than welcome. You've got this ❤️
@@NicolaRuns thank you 🤞
Thanks for the video 😊. Your not selling these hills though 😂
Lol... It's not going to be easy but it's a great place to run. It's actually an awesome route! It's just going to be tricky to pace. The last 3 miles will be awesome though 😃🏃♀️
Looks a lovely route Nicola (except for the hills)....
but it looks a very very very long way !!!!
Just getting back to running after health problems, so just run / walking single digit km's at present!
Good luck with your pacing!! - but how do you pace for the hills?
Well usually road marathons aren't this hilly so we just maintain a constant pace. People fall back a little on the uphill and overtake a bit on the downhill. We're all running within our means (my marathon PB is 3:45 and I'm pacing 5 hours) so usually just constant pace it is. However... this won't work here because the hills are long enough that it's highly unlikely that people could stay with us if we don't slow a little so we'll have to build little time banks on flat and downhill without going too fast that we lose people. It's definitely a pacing challenge. Fingers crossed we can get it right 🤞 All the best with your journey back to fitness 🤗
Hi , just checking all is ok ??
Awww thanks, that's so kind. Yes thanks, just too many holidays! 🤦🏻♀️ Editing as we speak/type! 😉
@@NicolaRuns Ah good , take your time , was just checking that you didnt stack it into a fjord or stackyfjordenson which is the correct term in norwegian 😂
@@bren70ssss94 🤣🤣🤣
Will they have gels and "tabs" at the York marathon?( What are tabs - electrolytes?).
They probably will do yeah. And usually the tabs are electrolyte/salt tabs
@@JBEAN Good to know.
Yes they do. You have to look out for the tabs though as the team dissolve them in the bottles of water so you have to pay attention. Otherwise you end up grabbing a bottle of regular water rather than the water with the electrolyte tab dissolved in it! 🙃