'Plan ahead' message as city prepares for Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

Thousands of runners are set to take part in the second annual Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in partnership with Clarion, which is being held on Sunday, May 12.

Organised by the not-for-profit sporting events company Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All with support from Leeds City Council, 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.

It also offers the perfect chance for residents across Leeds to come together and help showcase the very best of their city, with last year’s inaugural marathon winning praise for the celebratory atmosphere generated by the spectators who lined the 26.2-mile route.

As is standard practice for an event of this size, a major programme of road closures and other traffic measures will be in place on the day to help keep the runners safe.

The council and Run For All have already launched a wide-ranging engagement campaign – including e-mails and letter drops – to make sure residents and businesses along the route know what is being planned.

And, with race day fast approaching, the wider Leeds public are now being asked to take a few minutes to acquaint themselves with the relevant traffic and travel arrangements.

The marathon will start and end at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, with runners following a circular route that initially winds around Woodhouse Moor before striking out for Adel, Lawnswood, Bramhope, Pool in Wharfedale and Otley. The Leeds Half Marathon, which is also on May 12, will use much of the same route. The two events have together attracted around 14,000 entrants.

St Michael’s Lane in Headingley will close to vehicles from 4am on the 12^th before North Lane and Cardigan Road follow suit at 6am. Closures of selected roads will kick in between 6am and 7.30am in other parts of Headingley and Far Headingley.

Further closures will then come into force 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 on a rolling basis through the day as soon as it is safe to do so.

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

People travelling to Headingley – either to take part or support the runners – are being encouraged to use special park & ride and shuttle services that will be operating from Elland Road, Stourton and the city centre. A ‘park & stride’ option is available for those who wish to leave their cars at Cinder Moor and walk the mile or so up the A660 into Headingley. There will be no dedicated event parking in Headingley itself.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said:

“Last year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon was an incredible occasion that raised millions of pounds for charity and shone a really positive light on our city.

“We have been working hard alongside our partners at Run For All to ensure that this year’s event is even bigger and better, with traffic planning forming a key element of those preparations.

“We’re encouraging everyone to find a couple of minutes between now and May 12 to see how they might be affected by the temporary road closures that are needed for the safe and smooth running of the event.

“There will inevitably be some disruption on the day but residents can rest assured that we will be doing our utmost to minimise the impact, and we thank them in advance for their patience and understanding.

“Having taken part in last year’s marathon, I’m looking forward to running again next month and experiencing a repeat of the magical atmosphere that an event like this always creates.

“It was wonderful last year to see so many people out lining the route and cheering on the runners, and I’m sure the Leeds public will do us proud this time around as well.”

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

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

Rob also took part, using a specially-adapted wheelchair to join Kevin out on the course before they crossed the finishing line together.

Kevin is set to run the marathon again this year, with Rob doing the honours as event starter.

Tristan Batley-Kyle, operations director at Run For All, said:

“We are hugely excited for the return of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon next month.

“The city came out in force last year and the atmosphere and support on the course was simply incredible. With many thousands of runners on the start line again this year, it promises to be another special day not only for the city but also for Rob and Kev and the amazing MND community.

“With the help of our amazing runners, we continue to be able to generate a huge boost for the two primary partner charities – the MND Association and the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal – as well as a host of other charities.”

Notes to editors:

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

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

ENDS