'An incredible day': How the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon continues to drive MND and charity fundraising

It was another emotional and inspiring day of fundraising at the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Over 13,000 brave and hardy participants took part in today’s fourth edition of the hugely popular Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon and Leeds Half Marathon that was established to honour the legacy and raise money in the name of the rugby league legend.

Rob Burrow died in 2024 following a public battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since 2019, during which time he raised millions of pounds, campaigning alongside his good friend and former Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield, who once again joined the 5,500 people taking part in today’s full marathon.

Speaking at today’s event, Jo Coker, Director of Income Generation for the MND foundation, told the Yorkshire Evening Post how on an “incredible day” of fundraising the pair’s bond and friendship continues to drive the charity forward.

“It’s a an incredible day for the MND community,” Joe told the YEP. “We’ve got over 500 people running for us, raising awareness and it’s just got that incredible community feel.

“Rob and Kevin’s friendship has come through so powerfully and I think that’s what drives all of us. It’s that sense of friendship, building a community, that connection to people and being able to support anyone who has been diagnosed with this devastating disease.”

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon has now raised more than £14million for a variety of charities since its inaugural event in 2023 - and that total is expected to skyrocket after today.

Now in its fourth year, the marathon is famed for the special atmosphere that is generated by the spectators who line its 26.2-mile route each year, which starts and ends at Leeds Rhinos’ AMT Headingley Stadium.

Runners follow a circular route that initially winds around Woodhouse Moor before striking out for Adel, Lawnswood, Bramhope, Pool in Wharfedale and Otley. The half marathon takes on much of the same route.

Many choose to run in honour of a loved one who has sadly died, and one such runner today was young Ollie Wells, who ran the half marathon in memory of his dad Glynn - who died in January after a battle with lung cancer. He ran for Lindsey Lodge Hospice in Scunthorpe, who cared for his dad during his final months.

“My dad never gave up, so I never gave up,” Ollie told us.

“That was my motto. It was hard work training, but he got me through it. I know he’d be cheering me on.”

George Ravenhall, from Horsforth, won today’s Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon 2026 after he completed the race with a time of 2:26:33. Tom Charles came a close second with a time of 2:27:09. Will Tighe took the line as winner of the Leeds Half Marathon.

Partner charities for today’s event included Leeds Hospitals Charity, MND Association, Leeds North and West Foodbank, Candlelighters, Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Happy Days, Macmillan Cancer Support, My Name’5 Doddie, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, and St Gemma’s Hospice.

Congratulations to all of today’s runners - you did the city, yourselves and your families proud. The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon will return for the fifth time on Sunday, May 9 2027.