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).
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.
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.”
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