Leeds Country Way In A Day
Horsforth, United Kingdom • 12 Sep 2026
Leeds Country Way In A Day 100km : event overview
Organised by Great Owl Running, the event is a full circumnavigation of the city of Leeds along the Leeds Country Way footpaths. The route is approximately 100 km / 62 miles and stays within about 7 miles of Leeds City Square. It passes through neighbouring towns, villages, parks and nature reserves and uses public rights of way, including footpaths, bridleways and minor lanes, with a few short sections on roads. The route is primarily rural and is waymarked with the Owl symbol; competitors are provided with a GPX file and remain responsible for navigation.
Route, support and rules
The course surface is roughly 80% trail and 20% road/tarmac. There are six checkpoints, including one major aid station around the halfway point. Cutoffs are in place at CP3 and CP5. Checkpoints provide water and a selection of bananas, sweets, crisps and cake bars; additional nutrition may be stored in drop bags. Drop bag policy: a small returnable bag may be left at the halfway checkpoint and non-returnable bags may be left at two other checkpoints. Toilets are available at the start and finish, and the route passes through towns where public toilets may be available. Mandatory kit includes a phone or watch with the GPX map, a headtorch, waterproof jacket, warm hat or wrap and capacity for 1 L of water. Pacers and crew are allowed; pacers must not carry any mandatory kit for runners. The route was developed from a long-distance path created in the 1980s and realigned and relaunched in 2006 to lie entirely within the Leeds metropolitan boundary. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.