Miles of smiles expected as the city gathers for the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

Let’s be proud of the city – that’s the message to local residents ahead of this year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, in partnership with Clarion.

Thousands of runners are set to take to the streets on Sunday 12th May for one of the biggest sporting and fundraising dates in the Leeds calendar.

Last year’s inaugural race proved a major success, with runners saying how much they enjoyed the electric atmosphere generated by the crowds lining the 26.2-mile course.

And Leedsians are being encouraged to turn up again this weekend so they can play their part in ensuring the event is another spectacular showcase for the city.

Cheering runners can expect plenty of musical accompaniment, with Leeds Pipe Band, Leeds Rock Choir, Garforth Brass Band and Otley Ukulele Orchestra among the various groups and acts set to perform along the route.

There will also be two dedicated spectator centers along the route, one on Otley Road in Adel – around a mile from Asda in Holt Park – and the other at Otley Market Place.

Organized by non-profit sporting events company Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, with the support of Leeds City Council, the marathon will raise funds for a number of good causes, including the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and a Leeds Hospitals Charity Appeal. to build a Rob Burrow Center for MND.

Councilor Jonathan Pryor, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council and Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education, said:

“I am so excited that after many months of preparation and planning, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is almost here – it promises to be a wonderful occasion.

“Leeds has a well-deserved reputation as a passionate and knowledgeable sporting city and it will be great to see people lining the streets and showing their support for runners on Sunday.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved in organizing the race, including the hundreds of volunteers who will be giving up so generously of their time.

“As someone who ran last year’s marathon and will be on the starting line again on Sunday, I know how much this event means to both the running community and the city as a whole.”

The marathon will start and finish at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, with runners following a circular route that initially loops around Woodhouse Moor before tackling Adel, Lawnswood, Bramhope, Pool in Wharfedale and Otley. The Leeds Half Marathon also takes place on Sunday and will use much of the same route. The two events together attracted approximately 14,000 participants.

St Michael’s Lane in Headingley will close to vehicles from 4am on Sunday, before North Lane and Cardigan Road follow suit at 6am. Selected road closures will be in place between 6am and 7.30am in other parts of Headingley and Far Headingley.

Further closures will come into effect from 8.30am in the Adel, Lawnswood and Bramhope areas and from 9am around Pool in Wharfedale and Otley.

Affected roads along the route will be reopened continuously throughout the day as soon as it is safe to do so.

More information on road closures – including a list of vehicle crossing points and leaflets giving access details for individual areas – can be found here.

The marathon will start at 9:00 a.m., while the half marathon has a 10:00 a.m. start time.

People traveling to Headingley – either to take part or to support the runners – are encouraged to use park and ride and shuttle services which will operate from Elland Road, Stourton and the town centre. There will be no dedicated event parking in Headingley.

The marathon is being held in honor of Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and has since worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the disease and provide improved care for others affected by it.

His friend and former Rhinos team-mate Kevin Sinfield, meanwhile, has raised millions of pounds for MND causes by tackling a number of endurance challenges, including last year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Tristan Batley-Kyle, Operations Director at Run For All, said:

“Run For All are honored to deliver the 2024 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and Leeds Half Marathon.

“We hope everyone who takes part has a memorable and enjoyable race day experience with us.”

Notes to editors:

Run For All is a not-for-profit company that forms part of the enduring legacy of the late amateur athlete and fundraiser Jane Tomlinson CBE. Jane, from Leeds, has made headlines around the world by taking part in a series of incredible endurance events despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.

The partner charities of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and Leeds Half Marathon are the MND Association, the Rob Burrow Center for MND Appeal, Candlelighters, Macmillan Cancer Support, St Gemma’s Hospice, Yorkshire Cancer Research, Alzheimer’s Society, Leeds Rhinos Foundation and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal. Leeds-based law firm Clarion is the title sponsor of the marathon.

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