The inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, in partnership with Clarion and the Leeds Half Marathon, have both exceeded a phenomenal £4million in charitable donations on a day which saw the City of Leeds come together for one man and a number of truly great causes.
Over 15,000 fundraisers, first time runners and athletes ran for a mate with a mate. They were inspired by Leeds Rhinos legends Kevin Sinfield OBE and Rob Burrow MBE. Thousands ran in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal, the MND Association and the Leeds Hospitals Charity MND Centre Appeal.
Kevin Sinfield: “On behalf of Rob, Lindsey and I, we would just like to thank everyone for a huge team effort on Sunday. We made sure that the first Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon was a success and I hope that it was a very special day for you as it was for us. To runners, wheelchair users, volunteers, spectators, sponsors, Run For All, Leeds City Council, Leeds Rhinos and all of the different charities, to all of you, thank you.
I’m sure that you will all agree that the atmosphere was incredible and that was down to you, and all of your hard work to support our communities, the MND community, friends and families, and bring everyone together as a team.
I’m delighted to share with you that the running total raised for 341 different charities across the UK now sits at over £4million.
Friendship was at the heart of this marathon, run for a mate with a mate, and I hope that you are all glowing in the knowledge that we get to help so many people across the UK who need us.
I hope to see you all again next year. It is important that we keep banging the drum together.”
The huge standout moment on the day was Kevin Sinfield and former team mates stopping to carry Rob over the finish line, before Rob’s children presented the group with their medals.
Burrow and Sinfield were greeted by their families and a rapturous Headingley crowd as they crossed the line in an incredible 4:10:25. Rob’s wife Lindsey and former teammates also completed the course along with thousands of other marathon entrants on a day which also saw thousands of runners take on the Leeds Half Marathon.
Sinfield and Burrow were joined by former Rhinos team-mates, including Gary Mercer, Barrie McDermott, Matt Diskin, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Jamie Peacock. Olympic triathlete Jonny Brownlee and two-time featherweight boxing champion Josh Warrington also supported along various parts on the route.
Former team-mates Luke Burgess and Nick Youngquest travelled from Australia for the event which attracted international entrants from America, Belgium, Canada, China, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Kuwait, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates.
Over 100,000 spectators lined the streets and cheered the finishers on at Headingley in an event that highlighted the incredible communities in and around the City, including music groups, running clubs, volunteers, schools and universities.
As part of the event, runners had been encouraged to fundraise for their own charity of choice or one of the event’s partner charities. Partner charities included the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal, the MND Association, Candlelighters, St George’s Crypt, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.
Rob was diagnosed with MND in December 2019. He and his family have continuously campaigned to raise awareness and funds to support everyone impacted by MND. Rob’s latest goal is to realise the dream of a new MND Care Centre in Leeds that will bear his name and support people living with MND and their families.
Organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All – the not-for-profit sporting events company, in partnership with Leeds City Council, entries are now open for next year’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon which will take place on Sunday 12 May 2024. Participants are able to enter by visiting runforall.com.
Run For All would also like to extend its sincerest thank you to participants, volunteers, charities and supporters. Without the help of everybody, our events and fundraising efforts simply wouldn’t be possible.
Photograph: Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow and Lindsey Burrow.
