Leeds Marathon charity places for 2026

History

Former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019. Since then, Rob and his family have campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to support other families living with MND.

The first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon saw over 10,000 participants take the streets of Leeds, taking in some of the city's most scenic countryside and outer suburbs, the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will be a fitting tribute to the city that launched Rob’s career and which he called home.

On the day

• Event Village

  To satisfy your pre and post-run fuel needs, a selection of tasty food and drink choices will be available to purchase. There are also several bars and cafés in the area that will be sure to welcome spectators and participants and are often bursting with atmosphere after the event. Wonderful partner charities will also be located in the Event Village, so make sure you go say hi!

• Fuel and Hydration

  There will be water stations on course, where you will be able to pick up a 330ml bottle of water. To see the exact locations of water stations, please refer to the route map. High5 energy stations will also be available on course including High5 Zero tabs and High5 energy gels.

• Baggage

  You will receive a tear-off strip to tie around the handle of your bag before checking it into the Baggage Store.

• Pacers

  There will be friendly pacers on the course, sponsored by Arla Protein who can help you stick to your intended finish time. They’ll have flags attached to them with finish times so you can choose the best pace to suit you.

• Toilets

  There will be plenty of toilets available pre, during and post race.

• Medical

  Should you find you require medical assistance, personnel will be on hand to help at regular intervals on the course with fixed first aid stations located near the water stations. In addition, there will be a first aid unit and recovery area located near the start and finish line. There will also be roaming first aiders around the Event Village.

• Photos

  Smile! The MarathonPhotos team will be on course throughout the event to snap your picture. Photographs can be purchased or available for pre order.

• Results

  All results will be available in the results section of the website soon after the end of the event. However, keep in mind that it’s not all about times – you should be proud of yourself just for getting out there and getting active!

• Massage

  Check back to see if massage will be available.

Ability level

This is an event that truly is for everyone, so whether you are an experienced runner or have never thought about running an event before, all abilities are welcome to join this very special event. So, lace up those trainers and get ready to be part of an unforgettable day.

Wheelchair users

People of all abilities are encouraged to take part. If you are a wheelchair user, please ensure you enter this information when prompted on your registration.

If you are to be aided around the course, either by being pushed or assisted, by a guide runner, your guide runner must also be a registered participant in the event. Please submit an enquiry form with your registration ID to advise us of your specific requirements.

It is strongly recommended that only experienced wheelchair racers attempt the courses unaided.

Event HQ

Headingley Stadium
Saint Michael's Lane
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS6 3BR
UK

By bus

Leeds is well connected by bus although there will be diversions due to the closed road run route.

By rail

Please note that there will be no trains arriving into Headingley or Burley Park before 09:00. There are also limited trains arriving into Leeds (LDS) before 0900 on event day. For train travel information please visit National Rail.

By bike

Headingley Stadium has a number of cycle racks available inside the venue. These will be available to participants and spectators who have a ticket.

Map

Elevation profile

Cut off time

7 hours.

Keeping Leeds green

This event is committed to keeping Leeds green and understands the importance of doing its bit for the environment. Bins will be provided across the event site and people are urged to use the facilities provided.

It is important that the course is left the way we found it. Recycling bins will be provided on course at each water station. If you want to hand on to your water beyond the provided bins, please pass any litter to your nearest marshal.

Included

• Training sessions
• Chip timing
• Finisher’s goody bag
• Exclusive medal
• COOPAH training place trial
• A fantastic experience!

Training sessions

Join the fun, free and friendly Social Run Group (SRG) hosted by Up and Running. A weekly 5K that is perfect for runners of all abilities.

Optional extras

• Quality tech T-shirt
• iTAB - make your medal uniquely yours by adding your name and finish time to your medal.
• Official photo
• Race day memento - Celebrate your incredible time and your fantastic achievements with some extra event day souvenirs. Head to the event village on race day and visit Epic Etchings to get your finishers medal engraved and Personal Best Vests to order your own personalised finisher t-shirt print to help celebrate your achievements in style. 

Training plan

Merchandise

Benefits of running for charity

When the going gets tough, your admirers step in! As 'masters of motivation', your chosen charity will buoy you along and provide plenty of perks in the process:

• Fundraising support

  Charities know that raising money is part of your marathon challenge, which is why they provide advice and branded materials. Your personalised JustGiving page comes with Top ten tips for setting up a successful fundraising page to help the donations roll in. You may receive videos for social media and branded images too.

• Training support

  Whether Leeds is your first or fiftieth marathon, you'll need to train for it. Your charity may offer a free in-depth training plan with guidance - ideal if you'd rather not subscribe to the event's training app.

• Branded running kit

  When you head to the start line on the big day, people will be able to see clearly which charity you're supporting - a great conversation-starter for solo runners! Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in on the big day, and often a training top too so you'll look and feel the part.

• Support on the day

  When you're partway through your marathon and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Many charities set up a cheer station (some are 'themed') along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past.

• Social group for charity runners

  You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's exclusive social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.

It was a great event from start to finish, well organised, helpful staff and great atmosphere over the course, and I hope it goes from strength to strength, definitely will be running the course again next year for sure. I’ve done London marathon 13 times but I can sure running Leeds marathon was just has amazing. Clare T

This was a great event, from the support of the crowds, to the mixed scenery in both towns, villages and lovely Yorkshire countryside. Gareth E

Carnival atmosphere and the crowd were absolutely amazing. Fitzy

By far the most memorable running event I’ve ever had the pleasure to be part of. David P

To the people of Leeds and its surrounding towns and villages I thank you. Your support was immense. To the students with the cheeky signs and the beautiful children with their power up signs. Thank you. To the drinkers in the bars of Otley who told me I was ‘nearly there’ you lied to me guys… Adie S

Great atmosphere, massage was much appreciated. Nicholas S

The organisation was superb, the welcoming and instruction was zero-stress. Alberto S

Wonderful experience and the support on the course was unbelievable. Robert S

What a brilliant event! Not my first marathon by any means but definitely one I will never forget. An emotional start line with a welcome from the great man himself, then out onto a challenging course. I waited 13 years for a London Marathon place and to be honest it was MUCH better at Leeds. Zoe N

Honestly a brilliant day - thank you for organising . Fraser M

Once set off the festival atmosphere was amazing with beautiful scenery. Peter S

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck