The 2025 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon (RBLM) is nearly upon us, and with thousands set to flood the region, we thought we'd round up all the important information you need to know, from waves and start times to the route and more.
Getting underway this weekend, this year marks just the third-ever edition of the modern Leeds Marathon, which was set up in honour of Rhinos legend and MND champion Rob Burrow in 2023.
In addition to over 12,000 locals, marathon enthusiasts, fantastic fundraisers and casual runners alike taking part in the 2025 RBLM, there are set to be even more spectators expected to line the streets, so it's best you're all kept in the loop.
So, without further ado, here's our comprehensive guide for the 2025 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq91D55C2BA
Hosted by Run For All yet again, this year's Leeds Marathon is set to be just as special.
What is the route?
Where else to start other than, well, with where the run will be starting?
Getting underway once again from the Headingley Stadium, the 26.2-mile slog will see Yorkshire's finest pass through the busy student district, as well as around Golden Acre Park, towards Bramhope, around Otley, into the city centre and back.
You can see the full route map down below. There's also an interactive version online that you can even link it up to your Strava, with all the details you need to know in terms of segments, elevation and more.
Leeds Marathon map for 2025
If you're running it, you'll also be glad to see that there are a total of eight different toilet stops and water stations, meaning you'll have the opportunity to take any necessary breaks every few miles.
How to get there?
For those travelling to the start/finish line (yes, it finishes back at the iconic cricket ground too), it is advised that people avoid driving and use public transport where possible to avoid further congestion.
Upon arriving, the only way to access the start line on race day is via Gate G behind the western terrace of the cricket stadium off Kirkstall Road.
Spectator shuttles will also be running between Queenswood Drive and the two main spectator hubs: Adel and Otley. You can find out more details on where to watch HERE.
Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon waves and start times
Now, as for start times, participants will be set off in waves depending on their estimated finish time, which corresponds to the colour of their bib.
The event is set to get underway from 9am, with both of the first two waves (red and blue) set to have gotten underway by 9:30am; green wave is due to set off at 9:41am and yellow from 9:53am.
Meanwhile, those doing the half-marathon distance and fun runners will be starting at 10am. You can see the wave colours and their relevant finish times down below, and don't worry, there will be pacers to help you stay on track.
Now, it goes without saying that setting up a major marathon that spans all the way from Headingley to Leeds, passing through some of the busiest parts of West Yorkshire, involves quite a lot of logistical planning.
Luckily, Leeds City Council have worked closely with the event team to make the marathon route run as smoothly as possible whilst also trying to minimise the impact on traffic and general travel.
You can find a full breakdown of all the road closures for this year's Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon down below.
It's also worth noting that this will be the first Leeds Marathon to be run without Rob himself being pushed around by former teammate and close friend Kevin Sinfield, who famously carried him over the line in the debut event.
But since that inaugural and deeply emotional year, so many more people have been inspired to take on the challenge; for instance, Rob's wife Lindsey will be running her second marathon in the space of weeks after taking on London in his memory.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, 42-year-old Lindsey knows it's going to be "physically and mentally hard", especially since his passing, but knows he'll be with her in spirit every step of the way.
It really is more than enough to tug on the heartstrings and drum up the tears, but it's also one of the most beautiful things that's ever happened to Leeds.
So, for everyone taking on the Leeds Marathon to honour not just Rob Burrow but whoever they might be running it for, we wish you the best of luck and just know that you've already done him, us, yourselves and everyone else SO very proud.
Now go and smash it!
Featured Images — Run For All (supplied)
Leeds
Kirkstall Brewery and Little Bao Boy unveil new Leeds taproom
You know the venue, and you know the operators behind it, but things are looking a little different over on Sovereign Street.
Leeds' very own Kirkstall Brewery has teamed up with street food legends Little Bao Boy to totally reinvent the city centre taproom formerly known as North Taproom.
At the all-new The City Taproom, you'll find a way cosier space alongside their sun-soaked terrace, as they aim to reimagine a traditional city centre pub.
Across 16 tap lines there are loads of Kirkstall Brewery classics, like Kirkstall Pilsner, Virtuous and Judicious, plus a rotating selection of guest beers from top British breweries - and Guinness, of course.
The City Taproom will also feature two new cask lines: one serving Three Swords as a staple, and the other on rotation starting this month with Golden Hour.
There's a bigger kitchen for Little Bao Boy too, which means an even larger menu of bao and Asian street food, like loaded fries, noodles, and rice bowls.
Little Bao Boy was founded 10 years ago by James Ooi, specialising in home-made bao buns and traditional Asian street food with a contemporary western twist.
Kirkstall have injected the huge space with the traditional essence of a proper Kirkstall establishment, with that kind of cosy atmosphere you know them for at the brewery's other sites.
Little Bao Boy at City TaproomKirkstall Brewery pints and cocktails
This is yet another of the local brewery's openings in the city centre, joining their recent renovation of The Victoria & Commercial in partnership with Whitelocks, plus their stewardship of the historic Tetley brewery building.
James Ooi, founder of Little Bao Boy said: "We have been part of this venue since day one, through COVID, outside seating, and new owners, and we are so excited for this refurb.
"On the food side, expect more collaborations, faster service, and a better overall customer experience. We are extremely grateful Kirkstall saw the value in this refurb and can't wait to get back open."
Steve Holt, founder of Kirkstall Brewery, said: "We're delighted to unveil a new presentation for the Taproom on Sovereign Street.
"It has been named The City Taproom after a famous but long-gone Leeds pub known as ‘The City’, which was situated where the statue of the Dortmund Brewer now stands. Images of the original City pub are a feature in the new look City Taproom, which can best be described as a 're-imagination' of a traditional city-centre pub.
"The City Taproom celebrates Leeds and its rich pub and brewing heritage. We hope that it will become a popular addition to the amazing and diverse venues that make Leeds such a vibrant City for hospitality and entertainment."
It's all the bits you loved before, just a little bigger and a whole lot better.
The City Taproom opens at 3 Sovereign Street on Thursday 23 April.
The route for next year’s historic women’s Tour de France has been announced – and it all starts in Leeds
Danny Jones
The route for next year's women's historic Tour de France has been announced, with some of the best riders in the world set to begin the race from right here in Leeds.
Announced back in January, the 2027 Tour de France Femme avec Zwift will be making its British debut next year.
And this week, the full route has been revealed, which will all begin here in the race's host city of Leeds.
From here, riders will zip across through Yorkshire to Manchester, before turning back and heading down through the Peak District to Sheffield.
Around 230,000 people packed into the city centre to cheer the riders on their way during the Tour de France’s Grand Départ in 2014, with another two million spectators lining the rest of the race’s Yorkshire route. It's hoped that similar scenes will happen again this year.
It's yet another big coup for the region and Yorkshire's sporting scene.
Speaking with Manchester City Council earlier this week, Dame Sarah Storey joined many in celebrating another huge moment for us; the female Tour de France is not just back up and running, but aiming to become bigger than ever.
🚴♀️ The world’s best cyclists are heading to Manchester! 🚴♀️
The routes for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2027 have now been revealed, with Manchester set to host the Stage One finish on Friday 30 July and the Stage Two start on Saturday 31 July. pic.twitter.com/OMMlhdorqP
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) April 21, 2026
The Stockport-born swimmer turned Team GB cyclist and multi-Olympic gold medallist knows all about what makes this particular sport special, having swapped a previous and highly successful career for an entirely different discipline.
As has now been fully confirmed, the 2027 Grand Départ will be getting underway in Leeds, before heading through Yorkshire and on to our friends in Greater Manchester.
Spread across two incredible days, the race itself will finish in Sheffield, with another UK first happening down in London, as the capital will also host the inaugural team time trial held in this country.
You can see the official event's breakdown of what locations feature in which stages of 'The Big Loop' in more detail below.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "We might be more than a year away from welcoming the Grand Départ of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift to Leeds, but there is already a good deal of excitement building around the event.
"Today’s route announcement will hopefully whet people’s appetites still further and get them thinking about where in the city they will be watching the race.
"We recognise that some residents and businesses will now have questions about how an occasion of this size could impact local communities on the day.
"They can be assured that we will be working hard alongside the race organisers to minimise any disruption and will also make every effort to keep people fully informed as plans for the event continue to take shape."
Danny Jones -
9th May 2025 
