The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon has already raised over half a million pounds for a string of MND (Motor Neurone Disease) charities.
Over 14,000 runners took to the streets yesterday for the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and half-marathon, held in honour of ex-rugby league player Rub Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019.
Thousands of runners headed through Leeds to show their support for MND awareness, raising money for various charitable causes including the Motor Neurone Disease Foundation, and a Leeds Hospital Charity appeal to raise £5 million to build a Rob Burrow Centre for MND.
The marathon spanned 26.2 miles, starting at the AMT Headingly Stadium, and ending in the same place later that day.
Speaking before the event, Burrow’s former Leeds Rhino teammate Kevin Sinfield shared some words of encouragement to the participants, “well let’s smash it, let’s raise a load of dough, let’s raise a load of awareness for MND, we’ll keep banging the drum.” He then added at the end of his speech, “look after everyone please!”
Running alongside Sinfield was Rob’s wife, Lindsey Burrow, who completed the half marathon in 2:18:03, and received her medal at the finish line from their three children, met with cheers of “well done!”
Kevin Sinfield was joined at the finish line by Rob Burrow and his family. Photograph: Simon Dewhurst/Run For All
Runners and spectators alike shared their congratulations for other participants on social media with one writing ‘the course is brutal, but the support is amazing. Well done to everyone who took part and raised money for various charities.’ ‘What an inspiring event!’ another added.
After the event’s conclusion, Sinfield shared his appreciation for everyone involved in the day in a video shared by the MND Association on X. He said “I can’t thank people enough. The volunteers, people who have helped create this today, every single runner who has put all that hard work in and then those on the streets who have made it such a special day again.”
The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon was founded by the Jane Tomlinson Run For All foundation, and was first held last year. Jane Tomlinson CBE was also an athlete from Leeds, who raised £1.85 million for charity over her lifetime, despite being diagnosed with an incurable illness. Run For All is her lasting legacy, organising and supporting running events all over the country in her memory. Kevin Sinfield also ran the marathon last year, when it raised more than £5 million.