Another great event by the Grim team - it's always a real pleasure to run at their events as the team are really friendly and helpful.  The course is mostly flat for the first out and back towards Leeds, and then has some climbing to do in the second out and back towards Bingley including the five lock rise at Bingley.

The other runners are always really chatty and supportive with a wide range of abilities.  I keep coming back to It's Grim Up North events because I know I will have a fantastic time when I'm there.  Water refills were available around every 3 miles which was really useful on a hot day and free cake to look forward to at the finish line.

Another great event by the It's Grim Up North Running Team, this is rapidly becoming my favourite.I completed it in 2018 and decided to come back this year. I wasn't disappointed.I did the Half Marathon which consisted of a 3.1 mile out and back towards Leeds from the Saltaire start followed by a 3.5 mile out and back to just beyond the Bingley 5 Rise Locks. The second part of the run is the best (apart from 5 Rise!) but that whole section of the Leeds/Liverpool canal around Saltaire is really very nice.Very well organised as ever and uber friendly as always. Nice medal awaits at the finish along with the customary free cake! My only gripe if you could call it a gripe was that the course measured a bit short on my Garmin so I ran through the finish and beetled about until I got 13.1 but maybe that's just me being a bit anal!

All in all another for the 'would do it again' list and Iook forward to going back in 2020.

This was my first race with 'It's Grim Up North Running' but it won't be my last.  I'm used to running huge races so this felt very different, but in a good way.  All the marshals and event staff were really helpful and friendly, the medal is great and the goody bag was brilliant (no one has ever asked if I want beer or lager as I've crossed the finish line before, but they really should!).

The course measured long - approx 7 miles instead of 6.2, which I heard was due to a last minute course change being forced on the organisers.  The extra section seemed never ending!  The route was nice though, I'm not usually a fan of an out and back run, but I enjoyed this one.  The only marshals I saw on the actual course were at the start and halfway point, it would have been nice to have one or two more dotted around the place (as a slower runner I often end up with no one else in sight, either in front or behind, so a marshal is always a welcome sight to reassure me I'm in the right place).  

All in all - I'd definitely recommend this race.

It’s Grim Up North (IGUN) always deliver when it comes to good value, friendly races with a variety of distances that suit pretty much all abilities.

Numbers were collection on the day only with simple, fast & efficient registration. I did the full marathon but there were also 5k, 10k & Half Marathon options.

The marathon saw runners set off on the course which was entirely canal paths. It was a mini out & back then a large out & back. This was repeated to make it up to full marathon distance.

It was pretty flat apart from usual Lochs but as the field spreaded out it got quite lonely.

A nice medal & goody bag was awarded to all finishers. IGUN always have a feast of home baked cakes & biscuits at the finish. Nice little bonus.

Summary...

HIGHS: Fast, fun & friendly race.

LOWS: Out & back races don’t suit everyone.

BOTTON LINE: IGUN races are good value & come highly recommended.

My 4th time of running this marathon. Always been a great experience  lovely friendly welcome and excellent supportive marshalls. Lovely canal towpath route through some scenic Yorkshire countryside including the famous Bingley 5 lock rise. Nice medal and goody bag and tablefull of lovely cakes at the finish 

My 4th time of running this marathon. Always been a great experience  lovely friendly welcome and excellent supportive marshalls. Lovely canal towpath route through some scenic Yorkshire countryside including the famous Bingley 5 lock rise. Nice medal and goody bag and tablefull of lovely cakes at the finish 

I wanted to leave a review as a new IGUN crew member. I was assisting with registration and finish line. I would like to say how friendly, patient and helpful all the runners were at the beginning and end of the races. There were no bad words or attitudes. There was a lovely buzz of anticipation and excitement and the feedback comments were awesome. It truly felt like a well organised family event with everyone, runners and crew members alike, enjoying a fabulous event. A massive well done to everyone.

My 1st IGUN event and it was fantastic.

Beautiful start/finish and route along the Leeds Liverpool Canal starting in Saltaire. Easy bib pick up just a few mins walk from the station then down to the start. 

Small field led to a friendly feel to the race, organisers/marshalls were lovely and helpful. Bags could be left at the start. 

Start in Saltaire heading out one way for 3 ish miles to first water stop then back to start and onwards for 3ish miles towards Bingley 5 locks and 2 water stop before turning round back to start. Cupped water/squash/sweeties avaiable at both stops.

Due to route little local support but a had a few claps and cheers from dog walkers and smiles from other runners en route. 

I did the half marathon, but a 5k, 10k, 20mile and full mara were available. 

Bottle of beer/lager, big chocoate bar and a very nice medal for all finishers. 

Huge table of homemade cakes available at the finish, including a big bowl of new potatoes which made me stupidly happy! Plenty of cupped water or coke. Wish more race organisers had spuds and pop at the end!

Great value for money.

Have already signed up for my next Its Grim Up North event, highly recommend this one. 

This is the first time that I've taken part in one of the GUN events and it won't be the last!

Compared to the usual mass participation events this was very low key but that didn't detract from it - in fact if anything it added to it! 

The course consisted of an out and back eastwards from the start followed by an out and back westwards back to the finish. The course measured long but probably due to the course having to be changed at short notice due to part of the canal being closed. As it's a run along the canal towpath it's very flat (apart from the Bingley Locks!) but also a bit uneven. It would be OK in the wet.

A nice medal waited at the finish along with a big bar of chocolate (or you could have a bottle of beer) and lots of home made cakes! (which I missed out on for some reason !!)

The pre-race e-mail  briefing was very good and the registration was very easy to find and very well organised a few minutes walk from the railway station (as was the start/finish which was handy for the journey home!)

The marshals were all excellent and the whole event reeked of friendliness.

All in all  a great 'local' event and one that I'd certainly do again. A great morning out!