Thousands of runners will be hitting the streets of Leeds this weekend to take part in the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
More than 12,000 runners will be taking part on Sunday, May 14. The event is being held in honour of Leeds Rhinos legend and motor neurone disease campaigner Rob Burrow. The marathon is being staged by Leeds City Council and the not-for-profit sporting events company Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, with the organising team working hard over recent months ahead of the upcoming event.
Organisers are anticipating a party atmosphere, with musicians performing at various points along the course and members of the public being invited to turn out and cheer on the runners as they pound their way through some of the city’s most picturesque communities and countryside. Around 700 volunteers will be on hand to help with the day’s proceedings.
Read more: Seven massive music festivals happening in Leeds this summer
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon promises to be a spectacular day for our city and, after so many months of planning and anticipation, we are really excited that it is nearly here. As one of the thousands of people who will be taking part, I know how much this event means to both the running community and Leeds as a whole.”
The marathon will raise funds for a string of good causes, including the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and a Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to build a Rob Burrow Centre for MND. Leeds Rhinos great Rob was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and since then has won admiration and acclaim thanks to his tireless work to increase awareness of the condition. His example has in turn inspired friend and former Rhinos team-mate Kevin Sinfield to raise millions of pounds for MND-related causes by tackling a series of endurance challenges.
The pair’s achievements were recognised by the council earlier this year when they were given the freedom of Leeds - the city’s highest civic honour.
You can find out more about the key info for the 2023 Rob Burrow Marathon by scrolling below.
Start time and route
Starting and ending at Headingley Stadium, the marathon will follow a route around the north west of Leeds. It will see runners go through areas including Woodhouse Moor, West Park, Adel, Bramhope, Lawnswood, Pool in Wharfedale and Otley.
The marathon will begin at 9am with the half marathon starting at 10am.
Road closures
To help with the smooth running of the event, there will be a series of road closures in place across Leeds. Road closures on St Michael’s Lane, in Headingley, will be in force from 4am on Sunday, May 14 and are due to be lifted by 6.30pm.
Closures are scheduled to kick in from 7.30am elsewhere in Headingley, 8am around Lawnswood, 8.30am around Adel and Bramhope and 9am around Otley and Pool in Wharfedale. Road closures along the route will open when it is deemed safe.
Cllr Jonathan Pryor added: “If you haven't done so already, then please do find the time over the next few days to familiarise yourself with the relevant traffic and travel plans. Residents can be assured that we will be doing all we can to keep disruption to a minimum."
You can find out more about the marathon's road closures here.
To find out the latest event news in our city you can visit our Best in Leeds homepage. There you will also find a guide to great things to do in Leeds.
Yorkshire Live has launched Explore Yorkshire, which will look at Yorkshire's unique identity and destinations and celebrate God's Own County for what it is - the best place in the world. Whether you are looking for a day out, a weekend away or to try somewhere new, Explore Yorkshire is here to help. Our brilliant new newsletter will bring all of this content together for you in one place - sign up here to get it direct to your inbox.
Read next:
