Over 10,000 entries have now been sold for the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon which is scheduled to take place on 14 May next year. In honour of Rob’s iconic shirt number at Leeds Rhinos, a previous target of 7,777 entries had been set for the event and since its launch in March this year, thousands of runners from across the UK and beyond have rallied to the cause. 

Marking the first time the city has hosted a marathon in 20 years, the marathon will honour Rob Burrow MBE and help raise vital funds for the Leeds Hospitals Charity’s appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, as well as the MND Association. 

Influenced by Kevin Sinfield’s phenomenal Ultra 7 in 7 challenge, event organisers are encouraging participants to ‘Run For A Mate, With A Mate’. In support of Rob and the whole MND community, Sinfield recently ran over 60K per day for seven days from Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh to Old Trafford in Manchester. Kevin had commented on the challenge: “In my own mind, this is a run for a mate, with a mate.”

The marathon will start and finish where Rob achieved some of his greatest sporting achievements, Headingley Stadium; a fitting tribute to the city that launched Rob’s career and which he calls home. The circular route will then take in some of Leeds’ most scenic countryside and outer suburbs, journeying around Woodhouse Moor before travelling up through Headingley, Adel and Bramhope. Runners will make their way through the market town of Otley before returning to Headingley for the big finish. 

Final words from Kevin: "I have no doubt that Sunday 14 May is going to be an incredibly special day for all those involved, whether that’s participating, volunteering or spectating. The event is going to be a monumental step in ensuring we raise vital funds to contribute towards making Rob’s dream of opening a new MND Care Centre in Leeds a reality, so seeing so many people in Leeds and beyond get behind Rob and all those affected by MND is just an incredible feeling.”

If you'd like to know more visit the Run For All website here.

Image: Run For All