A new 26-mile race around Leeds will take place next year to honour the inspiring Leeds Rhinos legend, Rob Burrow MBE.
The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will raise vital funds for the Leeds Hospitals Charity's appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), as well as the MND Association (MNDA).
Image: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
The event is being held alongside the existing Leeds Half Marathon and a family fun run. It will be the first marathon to take place in Leeds for 20 years and will include a circular route starting at Headingley stadium, moving round Woodhouse Moor before travelling through Headingley, Adel and Bramhope to Otley, then finishing back in Leeds.
Organisers hope a total of 7,777 runners will take part in the run on Sunday, May 14, 2023, in honour of Burrow’s iconic Rhinos shirt number. Burrow describes the event as "wonderful".
He said: “I know it will be a fantastic occasion. Any opportunity to raise awareness and funds to fight MND is wonderful and I know so much money will be raised by those taking part for so many great causes that are personal to each runner.”
"I am particularly pleased to see that the event combines the half marathon and a family fun run so everyone, of all abilities, can get involved."
The former scrum-half who won eight Super League titles with the Rhinos, hopes enough money will be raised to ensure his dream of opening MND Care Centre in Leeds becomes a reality.
Image: The Hoot
Sally Light, chief executive of the MNDA explains why fundraising is so important ,“Like everyone who has followed Rob Burrow’s journey with MND we, at the Motor Neurone Disease Association, are in awe of everything he has achieved. Currently there is no cure for MND and no effective treatments, but vital work is underway in laboratories and clinics across the world to change that."
The Rob Burrow Marathon is supported by Leeds City Council and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, chief executive Bob Bowman stated: “We are proud to partner with Leeds City Council and Run for All to deliver the 2023 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon."
You don't need to book a seaside getaway to enjoy some beach vibes this week, as a giant pop-up beach has arrived right in the heart of the city centre.
To celebrate the opening of Summer Holiday, Tudor Square has been transformed into a sandy seaside retreat.
Located outside the Crucible and Lyceum theatres, the square is now packed with all the essentials for a classic day at the beach - from buckets and spades to deckchairs.
The free attraction is open from 11am until 7pm between Thursday 25 June and Saturday 27 June, with organisers encouraging people of all ages to head down and make the most of the sunshine.
Whether you're looking to snap a holiday-style photo, keep the kids entertained, or simply enjoy a laid-back afternoon in the city, the beach is open to everyone and there's no need to reserve a spot in advance.
Visitors are being reminded to come prepared for the warm weather by bringing suncream, hats, and plenty of water.
And if that wasn't enough, there's even more happening on Saturday 27 June.
A live DJ set from SlamBarz will provide the soundtrack to the day from 11.45am until 2pm, while a barbecue will be providing the goods from midday through until 6pm.
With sunshine, sand, music, and food all on offer, Tudor Square is set to become the place to be this weekend.
So grab your sunglasses and your bucket and spade, round up your friends and family, and head down to enjoy a slice of the seaside right in the middle of the city
Trains from Leeds ‘extremely limited’ amid record-breaking heatwave
Daisy Jackson
‘Extremely limited’ train services are running across Yorkshire this week as the country melts in a record-breaking heatwave.
Northern has reached out to passengers to warn that a ‘significantly reduced’ number of trains are operating in and out of Leeds.
They’re urging people to avoid travelling at all unless your journey is ‘absolutely essential’.
And if you do have to travel, they’ve warned of ‘significantly longer waiting times, busy trains and short-notice cancellations’.
The disruption is set to continue all day today and into tomorrow, Friday 26 June, as temperatures up north are forecast to hit 34ºC and an Amber weather warning for extreme heat covers much of the country.
Northern has assured passengers that they ‘are doing everything we can to keep people moving as efficiently as possible’.
Passengers are encouraged to check their journey before setting off, carry water, and avoid peak times where possible.
If you chose not to take a planned journey, you can claim a full refund on your ticket, or travel on another day using Northern’s ticket easement.
You can see the full travel advice for Northern HERE.
Northern said in a notice to passengers: “Due to the continued extreme heat, we have significantly reduced the number of trains running on routes in and out of Manchester, and services remain in high demand. This will now continue into Friday, 26 June.
“We strongly recommend customers consider whether their journey is necessary and if customers do choose to travel this week, they are advised to prepare for significantly longer waiting times, busy trains and short-notice cancellations.
“We would ask all customers to only travel if your journey is absolutely essential and to check your full journey before setting off.”
Clementine Hall -
11th April 2022 
