As Leeds gears up for one of its most significant sporting and fundraising events of the year, residents are encouraged to plan ahead.
The second annual Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, in partnership with Clarion, is scheduled for Sunday, May 12, and is expected to draw thousands of runners. Organized by the not-for-profit sporting events company Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, with support from Leeds City Council, the marathon aims to raise funds for various charitable causes. These include the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and a Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal aimed at constructing a Rob Burrow Centre for MND.
The upcoming Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon presents an excellent opportunity for residents across Leeds to unite and showcase the city’s finest attributes. Last year’s inaugural marathon was lauded for its vibrant atmosphere, fueled by enthusiastic spectators lining the 26.2-mile route. As customary for an event of this magnitude, extensive road closures and traffic measures will be implemented on the day to ensure the safety of the runners.
To ensure widespread awareness and minimal disruption, the council and Run For All have initiated a comprehensive engagement campaign, including email and letter distributions, to inform residents and businesses along the route of the planned arrangements. With race day drawing near, the broader Leeds community is urged to take a moment to familiarize themselves with the pertinent traffic and travel details.
The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, commencing and concluding at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, will guide participants along a circular route. Beginning with a scenic stretch around Woodhouse Moor, runners will journey through Adel, Lawnswood, Bramhope, Pool in Wharfedale, and Otley before returning to the starting point. The Leeds Half Marathon will also take place on May 12, collectively attracting approximately 14,000 entrants.
To facilitate the smooth execution of the event, St Michael’s Lane in Headingley will be closed to vehicles from 4am on the 12th, followed by North Lane and Cardigan Road at 6am. Subsequently, selected roads in Headingley and Far Headingley will experience closures between 6am and 7:30am. Additional road closures will be enforced from 8:30am in the Adel, Lawnswood, and Bramhope areas, with closures in Pool in Wharfedale and Otley beginning at 9am.
Throughout the day, affected roads along the route will be reopened on a rolling basis as soon as it is deemed safe to do so. Additional details regarding road closures, including a compilation of vehicle crossing points and informational leaflets outlining access specifics for distinct areas, are available at www.runforall.com
For individuals journeying to Headingley, whether to participate in the event or cheer on the runners, special Park & Ride and Shuttle Services will be in operation from Elland Road, Stourton, and the city center. Moreover, a ‘Park & Stride’ alternative is accessible for those opting to park their vehicles at Cinder Moor and traverse approximately a mile up the A660 into Headingley. Notably, there will be no designated event parking available 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 pays tribute to Leeds Rhinos icon Rob Burrow, who bravely confronted an MND diagnosis in 2019 and has since been an unwavering advocate for raising awareness and enhancing care for those affected by the condition. In a remarkable show of solidarity, Rob’s former teammate Kevin Sinfield has embarked on a series of endurance endeavors, including last year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, raising millions for MND-related causes.
Notably, Rob himself participated in the marathon, utilizing a specially-adapted wheelchair to navigate the course alongside Kevin, culminating in a poignant finish line moment shared between the two. This year, Kevin is gearing up once more to take on the marathon challenge, while Rob will assume the role of event starter, underscoring their enduring commitment to the cause.
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.”
Run For All, a non-profit organization, stands as a testament to the remarkable legacy of the late Jane Tomlinson CBE, an amateur athlete and philanthropist from Leeds. Despite battling an incurable cancer diagnosis, Jane captured global attention with her awe-inspiring feats of endurance.
Partnering with the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and Leeds Half Marathon are several esteemed charities, including 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. Leading the charge as the marathon’s title sponsor is the Leeds-based law firm Clarion.
