Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon set to return in 2024

Following on from an overwhelming response to this year’s inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, event organisers, Run For All, are delighted to announce that this very special event will be making a return to the city in 2024.

Set to take place on Sunday 12 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 once again see thousands of runners run in Rob’s name.

Record breaking numbers have entered this year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon; a run for everyone, with over 12,000 runners now signed up to take part. Attracting runners of all abilities and ages, this year’s event will welcome thousands of first-time marathon runners, with over half of entries taken up by those who are new to 26.2 miles.

Receiving support across the UK and abroad, reaching runners as far and wide as the US, Canada, South Africa and China, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will be the county’s biggest ever running event and will be the first time that the city has hosted a marathon in 20 years.

Next year’s marathon event has once more been motivated by former Leeds Rhinos captain and current English Rugby Union coach, Kevin Sinfield OBE. Kevin’s running challenges in recent years in support of his friend and team mate Rob have spurred on many to take on their own marathon challenge, whether that be for the MND community or reason of their own.

Friends Kevin and Rob are set to be among the thousands of participants taking part in this year’s debut event.

Diagnosed with MND in December 2019, Rob and his family have continuously campaigned to raise awareness and funds to support everyone impacted by MND. His 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.

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.

The 2024 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.

Fundraisers, club runners and first timers have rallied to the cause, whether that be for the MND community or charity of their own choice. Next year’s event is expected to be no different, with this marathon sealing itself as one of Yorkshire’s most iconic sporting events in recent history.

The 2024 race will support many charities and their meaningful work through the extraordinary efforts of those taking part. Charities interested in partnering with the event are advised to contact Run For All as soon as possible.

Designed to be a festival of running, potential participants can look forward to another spectacular day of running and fundraising in 2024. Remaining true to their core values, Run For All, will remain committed to making this event inclusive for all and are encouraging people of all abilities to get involved – whether they are an experienced runner or have never thought about doing an event like this before.

Next year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon route will be announced in due course.

The 2024 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will look to bring together the incredible communities in and around the city of Leeds, inclusive of all those involved including volunteers, spectators, schools, local business and the surrounding community.

Rob Burrow, MBE, said: “I am truly honoured that the marathon will be returning again next year in my name. Leeds is such a wonderful city and I am so grateful for all the support the city has shown not just for me and my family, but for the event and the entire MND community.

Knowing that we will have another opportunity to raise awareness and funds to fight MND, as well as a number of other charities personal to thousands of other runners is just a fantastic feeling.

Good luck to everyone who signs up and thank you again for all your support.”

Kevin Sinfield, OBE, also commented on the return of the event, saying: “I am delighted that the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will be coming back to the city of Leeds next year. Rob’s inspired me in so many different ways and I know through his own courage and determination that he has inspired thousands of others to take on their own personal challenge, whether that be for MND or their own charity of choice.

The marathon is about more than just running, it’s about community. We were overwhelmed by the number of people supporting this year’s event and I hope that we see even more people turn out in 2024.”

Mike Tomlinson, Chief Executive Officer at Run For All, commented: “We are honoured to announce the return of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon for 2024. Since its launch in April 2022, we have been overwhelmed by the support for the event and for Rob.

Here at Run For All, it has always been our goal to provide a fundraising vehicle for so many deserving charities through our series of running events.

To be able to re-launch the event for 2024 is an amazing feeling – to help thousands of participants run in this special event for their own goals and reasons, while enabling money to be raised for charity.

We are really excited for 2024 and we have no double the event will receive the same support as this year’s inaugural event. We look forward to welcoming all of our participants to the start line.”

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “The fantastic response to the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon has shown once again that ours is a truly great sporting city.

I’m sure, therefore, that people across Leeds and beyond will welcome the exciting news that the event has already been confirmed to return next year.

Hosting a prestigious and high-profile occasion such as the marathon showcases the city to the rest of the world, while also bringing local residents together in a spirit of celebration and support for good causes. It’s also a fine way to pay tribute to two Leeds heroes in the shape of Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield.

As someone who will be running this year’s race, I look forward to seeing how plans for 2024’s event develop in the coming months.”

For more information and to enter, go to: www.runforall.com