Review by Alan Moore.
Having already done food themed running events such as the Chocothan and the Pieathlon (https://quirkyraces.com/2016/12/15/pieathlon-2016/) when I saw Pizza Run UK was coming to Leeds I though what’s not to like and what a great idea, a 5k run with slices of pizza at checkpoints, I was going to enjoy this!
My first challenge however was finding the venue which had been changed at short notice. I followed my sat nav but the postcode given took me to a cemetery. No sign of any pizza so I had a drive around and a mile later, on the same street, I found a park with people mingling and a few red marquees. Then a saw a pizza run flag, yes I had found it!
There was already at queue at registration but this went quickly and I had my wristband and race number ready to go. I sat on the grass in the glorious sunshine with my son who I was running with and my wife who had come to support us as we watched the DJ.
Soon after the music got going it was time for the warm up hosted by Mr Pizza (basically a man in a pizza outfit).
We where told that the run would be three laps of the park with two pizza stops on route then we where off!
I tend to struggle running in heat so stuck to a steady pace which put me in the middle of the pack. After the first lap it was time for a much anticipated slice of pizza. It was a lovely looking slice of margarita, however unfortunately it didn’t taste as good as it looked as it was cold and I mean cold! Now cold pizza is usually ok the following morning after a night on the tiles but not the best in 30 degree heat.
Lap two down I missed the pizza stop as I was looking for a water station but couldn’t find one resulting in me struggling on the 3rd lap, I know its only 5k but I was fast dehydrating and as I came around the final corner I was walking.
I crossed the finish line and was awarded a pizza slice shaped medal but chose to avoid the last bit of pizza and saw many other runners doing the same. I collapsed on the grass and my wife brought me some of her Fanta she had bought from a local shop.
The music had stopped which I later found out was because the generator had blown up which was a shame. When I had recovered I found out there was a water station but it wasn’t on the course it was behind the finish line in the registration tent. Strange place for it but this is a rather strange race I suppose.
In my opinion this event has all the makings to be a success but it needs to get some of the basics right first such as having water on course and finding a way to keep the pizza warm but I do love the idea and it’s concept and after they have done a few more I am sure they will get better at it and I would like to attend another to find out.
Quirky Races 