Miles of smiles expected as city comes together for Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

Thousands of runners are set to hit the streets this Sunday, May 12, 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 appreciated the electric atmosphere generated by the crowds that lined the 26.2-mile route.

And residents across Leeds are being encouraged to turn out once again this weekend so they can play their part in ensuring the event is another spectacular showcase for the city.

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

There will also be two dedicated spectator hubs out on the course, one on Otley Road in Adel – about a mile from Holt Park’s Asda – and the other at Otley Market Place.

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.

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

“I’m so pleased that, after many months of preparation and planning, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is nearly 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 the runners on Sunday.

“We’re incredibly grateful to all those involved with the organisation of the race, including the hundreds of volunteers who will be generously giving up their time.

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

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 is also taking place on Sunday and 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 Sunday 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.

The marathon will be getting under way at 9am, while the half marathon has a 10am start time.

People travelling to Headingley – either to take part or support the runners – are being encouraged to use park & ride and shuttle services that will be operating from Elland Road, Stourton and the city centre. There will be no dedicated event parking in Headingley itself.

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.

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

“Run For All are honoured to be delivering the 2024 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and Leeds Half Marathon.

“We hope everyone taking 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 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