Race Routes 2023

Below are route maps and details for our Half Marathon and 10k route in 2023. Both routes largely follow our existing route from last year, however there are some big differences as you approach back into the city centre in 2023. Where runners would previously exit out of Abbey Park into St Margaret’s pastures and run down under the underpass back into the city centre, runners will now continue round Abbey Park and exit over the bridge next to Morningside Arena, completely removing the underpass from the new route. A short zig zag along Charter Street, Burley’s Way, Abbey Street, Mansfield Street and Savoy Street, will see us run straight back down Haymarket to the Clock Tower. We’ll then run the opposite direction than we used to up High Street, and follow The Lanes, Hotel Street and Market Street until we re-join our original route at the base of New Walk. So don’t worry… you’ll still have one final hill to complete! Both routes are detailed out below and are subject to final official measurement with UK Athletics.

Run Leicester Half Marathon

Apart from a lot more musicians on route to give you the best race day ever…Our Run Leicester Half Marathon route remains mostly unchanged from 2022, apart from a 1-2 mile section as you return back into the city. After the buzz of the start line you head out of Victoria Park and have a lovely long down hill straight into the city centre. We head straight across town via Charles Street and Belgrave Gate, and then it’s onwards along Leicester’s famous Golden mile on generally flat roads until you reach our first water stop approximately 3 miles in. As you head up Melton Road on the Golden Mile all Half Marathon runners should keep to the right hand lane and carry straight all the way to the city limits (the 10k race will branch off left at Loughborough Road’s junction with Melton Road.

Continuing further out of the city we head up through Thurmaston, and around to the top of Watermead Park before turning back into the park near the Hope and Anchor pub. This marks roughly the half way point as you start to head back into the city. You’re then treated to beautiful flat tarmac paths running alongside several of the stunning lakes in Watermead Park, with a very short but slightly steep hump back bridge to contend with before you reach mile 7.

We exit Watermead Park into Birstall via Whiles Lane, where there is one of our very few hills to deal with as you run back up to join the main road in Birstall. You are however rewarded with a lovely long gentle downhill that takes you all the way back to the city limits. Reaching Loughborough Road, we then follow wide tarmac paths that run parallel to the canal all the way back to the beautiful Abbey Park – where you will also find our final water station around mile 11.

From here, where the route would previously head of out St Margaret’s and under the underpass, we will instead continue through Abbey Park over the bridge next to Morningside Arena, before continuing along Charter Street back to Melton Road. Heading back under the flyover, and up the slip road on Burley’s Way, we’ll turn left onto Abbey Street and then zigzag our way to the Haymarket until we reach our iconic Clocktower. We’ll then run in the opposite direction to 2022, all the way up the main High Street as far as Carts Lane where we’ll turn left down The Lanes until we reach the wonderful St Martin’s. We’ll turn left and follow Hotel St round and go straight up Market Street before re-joining our old 2022 route at the bottom of the wonderfully idyllic New Walk, which is your final hill that will take you all the way back to the finish line at Victoria Park.

Be sure to check out all of our updates on why you should be running Leicester on Sunday 1st October 2023 at runleicester.co.uk/why-run. It’s here you will find all the details of all the latest bands and entertainment we have lined up to keep you moving all the way round the Run Leicester Half Marathon!

Run Leicester 10K

Our all new Run Leicester 10k will follow the Half Marathon route with one key difference. Both races will start and finish at Victoria Park next to the War Memorial, and the 10k route will also give you a nice initial downhill on London Road, before passing through the city centre via Charles Street. As you reach Belgrave Gate and head out on Melton Road, you’ll continue straight up the Golden Mile – BUT all 10K runners will need to keep to the left hand lane, in anticipation of turning left down Loughborough Road at it’s junction with Melton Road. This split point will be well signposted and marshalled, however the earlier you can get into the left hand lane on Melton Road for the 10k route the less likely you will be to go wrong. You can see where the 10k veers off from the Half Marathon in the map at the top of this page.

After the turn off, the route will run down Holden Street and cross over the canal before following the wide tarmac canal path past The National Space Centre, and into the beautiful Abbey Park, where you will find your only water station on the 10k approximately 4 miles into the route.

From here, where the route would previously head of out St Margaret’s and under the underpass, we will instead continue through Abbey Park over the bridge next to Morningside Arena, before continuing along Charter Street back to Melton Road. Heading back under the flyover, and up the slip road on Burley’s Way, we’ll turn left onto Abbey Street and then zigzag our way to the Haymarket until we reach our iconic Clocktower. We’ll then run in the opposite direction to 2022, all the way up the main High Street as far as Carts Lane where we’ll turn left down The Lanes until we reach the wonderful St Martin’s. We’ll turn left and follow Hotel St round and go straight up Market Street before re-joining our old 2022 route at the bottom of the wonderfully idyllic New Walk, which is your final hill that will take you all the way back to the finish line at Victoria Park.