Leeds Prepares for the Biggest Rob Burrow Marathon Yet
If you drive through Leeds early on May 11, don't be surprised to hit empty roads and detour signs at every turn. That’s because the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is back—this time for the first time since the passing of the city’s rugby legend, Rob Burrow. Energy is high, registration numbers have soared, and the city is gearing up for one of its largest events in recent memory. With more than 12,000 runners set to storm the streets in honor of Burrow, who inspired so many during his battle with motor neurone disease, the place will be buzzing from dawn till dusk.
The marathon is being put together by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, with strong backing from Leeds City Council. It's really become more than just a race—it’s a whole day where the city rallies behind a cause and a hometown hero. But with thousands moving through town, there’s no way to avoid some major road shake-ups and public transport reroutes.
Where the Roads Close, When, and What to Expect if You’re Out and About
You can forget about a typical lazy Sunday drive—at least between late Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening. The first block starts right at 4:00 AM on St Michael’s Lane in Headingley. From there, the zone of closures grows around Cardigan Road, Kirkstall Lane, and North Lane by 6:00 AM. Headingley and Far Headingley won’t be far behind, with more roads closing off from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM. The early-morning clampdown paves the way for marathon organizers to get everything safe and ready for the crowds and runners.
The marathon packs a big route—by 8:30 AM, neighborhoods like Adel, Lawnswood, and Bramhope are seeing their main arteries shut down. Then, from 9:00 AM, Pool in Wharfedale and Otley join the mix. If you’re planning to get to these suburbs during race hours, you’ll want to rethink your route or leave the car at home. The good news? These closures don’t last all day. Streets will be opened back up as soon as runners move past, so it’s not one big lockdown until sunset.
As for the actual event times, the full marathon springs off at 9:00 AM, while a half marathon starts at 10:00 AM. Expect fans to crowd the starting lines and finish zones, with lots of excitement—and probably more cameras than at a typical Leeds match. The city’s been clear that pedestrians and emergency vehicles can still get where they need to go. No need to panic about getting the kids or visiting relatives in a pinch.
Of course, getting around will look different all weekend. City buses aren’t sticking to their regular routes—diversions are everywhere. But the marathon planners are on it, running park-and-ride options from Elland Road and Stourton to help get people close to the action without clogging up the roads. Shuttle buses also connect Cookridge Street right in the city centre with Headingley, just for spectators keen to catch the electric atmosphere near the start.
One headache you can avoid: parking drama. Restrictions begin at 4:00 PM the day before the race (Saturday, May 10) and stick around until 6:30 PM on race day. Leave your car in the wrong spot and it could get towed, no excuses. Organizers have even handed out leaflets and set up interactive maps online so residents know exactly what’s coming their way.
It’s more than a traffic jam or a sports event—this year’s marathon feels like the city’s way to say goodbye and thank you to Rob Burrow. With the streets filling up and every runner raising money for causes he cared about, Leeds is showing just how much one person’s fight can inspire a whole community to come together.
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