EXCITEMENT is building with just 100 days to go until the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon returns for its second year.
Honouring Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow CBE, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon gives participants of all abilities and backgrounds the opportunity to run alongside one another in a fitting tribute to the former sportsman.
The 2024 race takes place on Sunday, May 12 and will support many charities with the two main partner charities being the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Other partner charities for the event include Candlelighters, St George’s Crypt, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
Rob said: “Last year's 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 12th 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.”
This year’s marathon will again start and finish at the world-renowned AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium.
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 villages of Bramhope and Pool-in-Wharfedale.
The route will then continue through Otley and round Otley Chevin Forest Park before coming back down along Otley Road to finish at the stadium.
Otley and Yeadon Liberal Democrat Councillors Colin Campbell, Ryk Downes and Sandy Lay have welcomed the news the marathon will go through the centre of Otley.
Cllr Campbell said: "Last year the race skirted the town and though it was very popular we and other members of the community thought it would increase spectators and potentially bring business to shops, cafes and pubs if it ran through the town centre."
Cllr Downes said: "As someone who ran the marathon I know what a boost you get from spectators cheering you on. A good crowd in the town centre will provide an enormous boost to runners as they prepare for the long run up Leeds Road to the top of the Chevin."
Cllr Lay added: "We and a number of other groups have been pushing for the race to come through the centre of Otley. Yes it will cause some disruption and we are in talks to minimise this, particularly around bus services. It will be a great free event and coming through the centre of the town will mean local shops, cafes and pubs will be able to benefit from the large number of spectators who will line the route."
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.
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.”
Entries are still open and potential participants can enter at www.runforall.com
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