Our Charles is inspired to keep on moving after first race experience

It's been a long time coming, but completing my first race was definitely worth the wait.

- by Charles Gray

YFP reporter Charles Gray at the finish line

Upon taking up running back in 2017 to support my physical and mental health, I had always considered it as something of a personal and private endeavour.

But taking part in the weekly parkrun at Woodhouse Moor upon moving to Leeds in 2022 and reporting from the inaugural Leeds Marathon changed that, as I got to experience first hand the camaraderie and community spirit the past time can evoke; never more so embodied than the moment that Kevin Sinfield carried Rob Burrow over the finishing line back in 2023.

And on Sunday my running story felt like it came full circle, as I finally got round to taking part in my first race in the form of the Abbey Dash.

Having previously lived in Burley and enjoyed the bliss of running through the Kirkstall Abbey gardens after sauntering down the canal and amidst Bramley Fall Park, it was as good a race and environment as any to kickstart my race running endeavours.

It may be a while before I'm taking on Sinfield and Sara Cox-like challenges, but my run up and down Kirkstall Road alongside thousands of others has done nothing but encourage me to push on.

A well-earned drink after completing the Abbey Dash 2025.