Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon surpasses £1million fundraising mark 

Inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon reaches a staggering £1million in support of local and national charities 

Run For All announced today that the highly anticipated Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, in partnership with Clarion, has surpassed the £1million mark in fundraising efforts with just over one month to go until the event.

Inspired by former Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield OBE’s running challenges in recent years in support of his friend and team mate Rob, the event has motivated thousands of others to take on their own marathon challenge, whether it be the Motor Neurone Disease community or charity of their own choice.

This year’s marathon will raise funds for the two main partner charities; The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and the Leeds Hospitals Charity, as well as a host of other charities.

Diagnosed with MND in December 2019, Rob and his family have continuously campaigned to raise awareness and funds to support everyone impacted by MND. Rob’s latest goal is to realise the dream of a new MND Care Centre in Leeds that will bear his name and support people living with MND and their families.

This very special event will be the county’s biggest, brightest and most exciting running event in recent history. Marking the first time that the city has hosted a marathon in over twenty years, inspiring fundraisers, club runners and first timers are getting ready to lace up their trainers for the 26.2-mile challenge.

Over half of the field are expected to be first time marathon runners, with the event reaching runners as far and wide as the US, Canada, South Africa and China. In a spectacle of colour and excitement, over 12,000 runners will be hitting the streets of Leeds on Sunday 14^th May.

Kevin Sinfield, OBE commented on the milestone by saying: “The support for the MND community through the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon has been fantastic. Through the event we are able to provide hope for a community that have been in the dark for so long. MND isn’t incurable, it’s just been underfunded, so to host a marathon in honour of my mate Rob and all those living with MND is incredible.

“We have to continue banging the drum for MND and I know that Sunday 14^th May will be able to shine a fantastic light on this cruel disease. It will hopefully provide a beacon of light for all those living with and affected by MND.”

To mark the occasion with one month to go until the event, a video of rugby league coach, former player and friend of Rob, Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE, has been released. Famous faces, including boxing star and Leeds native Josh Warrington and Olympic Champion, Jonny Brownlee MBE, both make a cameo appearance.

The video shows Buchanan at Headingley Stadium, where the race will start and finish and at various hotspots on course.

The video then highlights the stunning scenery and diverse neighbourhoods the marathon route showcases. Buchanan arrives at the iconic Parkinson’s Steps at the University of Leeds before journeying through to the epicenter of the event, the buzzy suburb of Headinlgey. 

Passing through some of Leeds most popular outer suburbs including West Park and Adel, the video then shows Buchanan arriving at the scenic village of Bramhope before he weaves his way down Creskeld Lane and Creskled Hall, known to many people as Home Farm from ITV Soap, Emmerdale. With twists and turns and some fantastic Yorkshire countryside, runners can look forward to a whistle stop tour of some of Yorkshire’s most scenic countryside. 

Passing through the villages of Arthington and Pool in Wharfedale, runners will then head onto the market town of Otley. Spectators will be able to enjoy this incredible town’s treasure trove of local shops and restaurants.

Buchanan then arrives at the climb between Otley and Bramhope. Despite the challenge, runners will be able to soak up the rolling hills of the lower Wharfedale Valley.  Jamie explains why this is the point of the route where runners will focus really on why they signed up to the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Every step the runners will take over the next two miles will be support of Rob and the battle against MND, that special cause they may be running for or their own personal challenge.

The video then captures the return from Bramhope through to Weetwood roundabout, far Headingley and Headingley again before turning into Headingley Stadium for the finish line.

A significant part of the route, this is where it all began for Rob. Rob Burrow made his rugby league debut for the Leeds Rhinos in 2001 and twenty-two-years thousands of runners will run in Rob’s name as the fights to find a cure for MND.

Commenting on the video, Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE said: “The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon runners are in for a tough but rewarding marathon route. From Yorkshire countryside to busy hotspots such as Headingley and Otley, the runners will experience the very best our city has to offer.

“The climb out of Otley mustn’t be underestimated, but with the help of the Marathon Motivators from Rothwell Harriers, the runners will be able to look back and be proud of their achievements.

“I already can’t wait for race day and to run the race, alongside my mates Rob and Kev. It will be a monumental day for our city and I know one that we will look back on in many years to come.”

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is a partnership between Leeds City Council and Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All – the not-for-profit sporting events company that stages the popular Leeds Half Marathon and Yorkshire Marathon.

A limited number of spectator tickets have today been released for spectators wishing to spectate within the grounds at Headingley stadium.

Spectators are advised to go to runforall.com to book tickets and find out more.

Following on from an overwhelming response to this year’s inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, it has been announced that the event will be making a return to the city in 2024.

Set to take place on Sunday 12^th May 2024, next year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, in partnership with Clarion, will once more honour Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow MBE. The event is expected to see thousands of runners run in Rob’s name.

Next year’s marathon will again aim to drive awareness and funds for the two main partner charities; the Leeds Hospitals Charity and MND Association. However, it is recognised that each runner will have their own reason or goal for taking part. As such, participants are encouraged to fundraise for their own charity of choice.

Potential participants are encouraged to go to runforall.com to enter.