beForm Nutrition founder Ben Bunting is three-quarters of the way through his ambitious 12 marathons in 12 months challenge—and his latest effort proves that sometimes the best runs are the ones you don't overthink.
With eight marathons already under his belt for 2025, Ben decided to tackle September's challenge with a spontaneous twist: a marathon route mapped out from the beForm Nutrition home base in Rawdon, Leeds, weaving along the iconic Leeds-Liverpool Canal and back up through the vertical sprawl of Leeds city centre.
A Route Through Leeds' Industrial Heritage
The unseasonably warm weather added an extra layer of challenge as Ben set off from Rawdon, perched on the edge of the Aire Valley.
The route wound through the elevated suburbs of Yeadon (home to Leeds Bradford Airport) and down through the charming market town of Guiseley, passing Unit One Gym, where beForm Nutrition recently supported their latest Hyrox event.
From there, the real climbing began. Ben pushed up towards Baildon, tackling the steep ascent to the moorland edge where Baildon Hill offers commanding views across the valley.
The reward? A sweeping descent into Shipley, the historic mill town that once powered Yorkshire's textile industry.
Stepping onto the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Shipley marked a shift in the run's character.
This 127-mile engineering marvel, completed in 1816, became Ben's ribbon of flat towpath through industrial Yorkshire.
He pressed on through Apperley Bridge, where stone-built warehouses stand sentinel over the water, then through the leafy stretch at Rodley before reaching Kirkstall, home to the magnificent 12th-century abbey ruins that loom over the valley.
The canal carried him through the red-brick landscape of Armley, once the beating heart of Leeds' industrial revolution, before delivering him into the modern city centre.
From there, Ben continued past the imposing Royal Armouries museum, a fortress-like structure housing the national collection of arms and armour, before linking up with the River Aire for the push out towards Methley, where the landscape opens into flatter, more agricultural terrain.
After hitting the turnaround point, Ben reversed course and looped back through the city centre, pushing up the long stretch of Kirkstall Road to complete the full 26.2 miles in exactly 4 hours—a solid time given the heat and the impromptu nature of the route.
Fuelling Through the Heat
Running in warmer conditions meant hydration and energy management were critical. Ben put beForm Nutrition's product range to the test throughout the run:
- beHydrate electrolyte drink to maintain fluid balance and replace essential minerals lost through sweat
- beFuel high carbohydrate sports sweets for quick-release energy during the run
- beEnergy, containing caffeine and red spinach extract to support endurance and maintain focus through the later miles
The nutrition strategy paid off, helping Ben maintain steady energy levels despite the demanding conditions.
The Perfect Post-Marathon Meal
True to form, Ben celebrated crossing the finish line the right way: with a burger, fries, and a chocolate milkshake.
Because after 4 hours of running, sometimes nothing beats the classics for recovery and satisfaction.
The Final Stretch
With nine marathons completed and just three remaining, Ben is firmly in the home stretch of his year-long challenge.
Each race has brought its own unique challenges, from weather conditions to route planning, proving that consistency and smart fuelling are key to sustaining performance month after month.
Stay tuned as we follow Ben through the final quarter of this remarkable challenge. Three more marathons, three more opportunities to push the limits and showcase what proper sports nutrition can do.
Want to fuel your own running goals? Explore the full beForm Nutrition range at https://beformnutrition.com
