Callum and Jade at the Sports Industry Awards
by Emma Kirwan
A wheelchair racer and Paralympic hopeful will be among leading athletes competing in the Leeds 10K this weekend.
Callum Hall, 22, was left paralysed in September 2012 after stepping on a sea urchin while diving off the Greek island of Skiathos.
Mr Hall, from Yeadon said: “I am really excited to be racing in my home city! The atmosphere is always incredible in Leeds- you can’t beat Yorkshire. I train with Jade all the time so when we get the chance to race together it’s always fun, with the friendly rivalry of course.”
Since his accident Mr Hall joined Team Thompson and is coached by former wheelchair athlete, Ian Thompson.
This weekend’s race which will see the city filled with thousands of talented individuals including Mr Hall’s girlfriend Jade Jones, who represented Great Britain at the London Paralympic Games and won bronze at last year’s Commonwealth Games.
Run For All’s Miriam Pedersen, Leeds 10K event lead, said: “We are delighted that so many excellent wheelchair athletes have entered and their race should be a highlight of Sunday’s event. We look forward to welcoming them and wish them the very best of luck.”
They will face strong competition from Bret Crossley, of Leeds, winner of this year’s Leeds Half Marathon who turned to wheelchair racing after suffering a spinal cord injury in a motorbike accident.
Organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, the Leeds 10K route starts in Vicar Lane, takes the runners through the city centre, out and back along Kirkstall Road and ends in front of the Town Hall.
The race starts at 9:30am on Sunday July 12 and will be the ninth running of the Asda Foundation Leeds 10K, organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All.
Residents and businesses are reminded that a number of roads will be closed or have restricted access as the city plays host to two top charity runs on July 11 and 12.