100 days to go until the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

Excitement is building with just 100 days to go until the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, in partnership with Clarion, returns for its second year.

Taking place on Sunday 12^th May, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is set to be another celebration of friendship, fundraising and running in the city of Leeds.

Honouring Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow CBE, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon epitomise's the comradery that running provides and allows participants of all abilities and backgrounds to run alongside one another in a fitting tribute to the former sportsman.

The 2024 race will support many charities and their meaningful work through the extraordinary efforts of those taking part. The two main partner charities; Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and the Motor Neurone Disease Association will remain as the main focus. Other partner charities for the event include Candlelighters, St George’s Crypt, Macmillan Cancer Support, Alzheimer's Society, Leeds Rhinos Foundation, St Gemma's Hospice and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

To mark 100 days to go, a video has been shared of Rob Burrow CBE and Kevin Sinfield CBE, thanking entrants for their continued support. 

Commenting on the 26.2-mile challenge, Rob said: “Last years event was an incredible experience for my family and I and it is wonderful to hear that so many people have already signed up for 2024. The wonderful thing was that so much money was raised for good causes, including the MND community. It’s not too late to sign up and be part of something special on 12^th May.”

Kevin added: “It is brilliant that the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is returning in 2024. I have spoken to so many people who either took part or came out onto the street to cheer the participants on. The big idea was always to create an event that can bring us all together and the marathon definitely did do that. I would encourage anyone to sign up and if you’re not quite ready to run the half or full marathon, get the date in the diary and start planning how you can support everyone else, every bit of support is vital and we can all play our part.”

Entries are still open and potential participants can enter at www.runforall.com

A fitting recognition to where Rob Burrow launched his career and achieved some of his greatest sporting achievements, this year’s marathon will again start and finish at the world-renowned AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium.

Once the starter’s gun goes, the circular marathon route will take in some of Leeds’ most scenic countryside and outer suburbs. Journeying around Woodhouse Moor before travelling up through the outer suburb of Headingley, participants will then travel through going through the scenic villages of Bramhope and Pool-in-Wharfedale.

The route will then continue through the market town of Otley and round past Otley Chevin Forest Park before coming back down along Otley Road to finish at the stadium.

Participants can look forward to various entertainment hotspots across the route to keep them motivated, including the Philharmonic Orchestra, Captain Bullhead Ceilidh Band, Otley Ukulele Orchestra, Humber Drum Circle, Garforth Brass Band and The Blackmarcs.

The Leeds Half Marathon will be taking place on the same day and will feature the same start and finish line.

Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education Councillor Jonathan Pryor said: “The second Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is sure to be another fantastic day for the city, following on from a superb inaugural event last year which brought families together, captured national attention and raised millions for charities including the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

“This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better, and we have been working hard with Run For All to ensure it will be another not-to-be-missed occasion while doing everything we can to minimise the impact on residents. Along with the thousands of other runners taking part I am very much looking forward to running it once again and seeing everyone on the start line at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium on May 12.”

Tristan Batley-Kyle Operations Director at Run For All said: “Today’s ‘100 days to go’ milestone is a real moment of excitement for the city of Leeds.

“Whether participants are raising much-needed funds for good causes or hoping to achieve a personal goal, we look forward to celebrating every single participant as they cross the finish line.”

Encapsulating the power of friendship through adversity, last year’s inaugural event captured the hearts of the nation as mates Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield crossed the finish line together in an incredible symbol of unity.

A celebration of friendship, as much as it was a charity fundraiser, Kevin pushed mate Rob for 26.2 miles in a specially adapted wheelchair.

Sinfield and Burrow were joined by former Rhinos team-mates, including Gary Mercer, Barrie McDermott, Matt Diskin, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Luke Burgess, plus triathlete Jonny Brownlee and boxer Josh Warrington along various parts of the route.

A huge fundraising moment, last year’s event exceeded a phenomenal £5 million in charitable donations for a number of truly great causes, including the event’s two main partner charities, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Leeds Hospitals Charity MND Centre Appeal.

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is a partnership between Leeds City Council and Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All – the UK’s largest not-for-profit events company.

BBC Radio Leeds are the main media partner for the event and will be broadcasting live from the start and finish line.

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is supported by Leeds City Council, Clarion, Leeds Rhinos, Active Leeds, BBC Radio Leeds, the Queens Hotel, Leeds Beckett University, Erdinger, Arla Protein, High 5, Personal Best Vests, Up and Running, Coopah, Shokz, Gradwell, Project Servator and Marathon Photos.