Overview
The official Middleton Park parkrun course is a perfect mix of ancient woodland, water and beautiful gardens.
You’ll also finish this run route at one of the most exciting bike hubs in the city. Perfect for a bit of a duathlon!
Don’t forget to signup online for free and get your barcode from parkrun before you visit the Middleton parkrun event on a Saturday at 9am.
Wanting to find your way to the start of the route? Here is a link for a Google Maps Directions page.
This route has a distance of 2.8km and an elevation gain of 73m.
The largest non-stop incline begins in the second third of of the route, and has a distance of 395m and an elevation gain of 22m. You can see this on the above elevation chart in red.
The largest continual decline is 372m long with an elevation drop of 24m which starts in the first third of the route. This is shown on the chart as green.
Route Highlights
One of the biggest highlights of running the Middleton Park parkrun 5km is the other things you can experience in the park. Leeds Urban Bike Hub sits at the entrance of the park and is the only one of its kind in the city. Access the hubs sustainable off-road cycle routes as a bolt on duathlon to your run!
Best Time To Run
The best time to run the Middleton Park parkrun 5km is in the autumn months. The ancient woodland boasts a beautiful tapestry of autumnal colours when the leaves begin to fall from the trees. Enjoy!
Route Description
This parkrun route is two challenging laps on path and trail. Start close to Leeds Urban Bike Hub.
With the rose garden just behind you head down the hill and take a right turn into the edge of the woods. Follow this trail on the cusp of the woods until you come up to the rear of the bandstand, taking a right to follow this by the waters edge. You’ll take one more right between the stand and visitors centre, coming back on yourself.
On the small loop back head back up into the woods following the trail up to Nick’s view. You’ll come across the rear of the rose garden, heading back to the downhill section.
On the second lap run the same route but after the rose garden turn left to arrive at the Urban Bike Hub finish line.
parkrun
A big attraction to running the adult parkrun event on a Saturday morning is the post-run coffee social. Every parkrun routinely meet at a local café for a drink and a chat straight after. This is a super social way to start your weekend.
Warnings
Be aware that parts of this route are likely to become bogged down with mud, puddles and leaves in bad weather. Come prepared with the right footwear – our picks in this instance are trail running shoes!
Location
Middleton Park in Middleton, south Leeds is a large public park of 630 acres with close to a third of this classified as ancient 10,000 year old woodland, also known as Middleton Woods. In and amongst this vast green gem is a lake, an old golf course and other useable sport and rec facilities including a new bike park.
Amenities
The Bike Hub forms the start and finish area of this official parkrun route. The hub comes ready prepared with accessible parking and toilets. And a café serving refreshments and snacks.
Leeds Urban Bike Park is a CIC (not for profit) company with the aim of giving the public an opportunity to ride purpose built cycle routes whatever your ability. You can even rent a wide selection of bikes and helmets to do this. Find out more online at Leeds Urban Bike Park.
Parking
The bike park has a free car park for people wanting to use the official parkrun running route. Arrive early on a Saturday morning to avoid disappointment during parkrun peak times. And don’t forget to print your barcode before the event by signing up for free online.
For directions, go to Middleton Park, The Golf House, The Ring Road, Middleton, Leeds, LS10 3TN (Google Map Directions).
Food and Drink
Middleton Park Bike Hub serve a range of food – including cakes – and drinks all day long. If you’re a fan of coffee then check out Maude Coffee who are the official café roasters. To book a table for afternoon tea contact the café online.