Course Map
Route based on 2023 course — may differ slightly from this year.
About this Race
The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is a deeply emotional Yorkshire race named for the beloved rugby league star and his motor neurone disease campaign, run on a genuinely hilly course through the city and surrounding countryside. The constant climbs make it demanding, requiring measured pacing throughout. Held in May, it offers cool spring conditions and famously moving, charity-driven crowd support. The cause and the hills define the day. It suits runners drawn to a meaningful, community-spirited race who are ready for an honest, undulating course over a personal best.
Course Insight
Leeds carries deep emotional weight, named for a rugby league legend living with motor neurone disease, and runs hilly Yorkshire terrain that makes it a strength course. Pace the climbs by effort and let the cause carry you when legs tire. The hills are relentless rather than flat-fast. May conditions are usually cool. Run conservatively and the emotional charge and rolling terrain become the story.
Difficulty Breakdown
Mostly due to significant climbing (405m), tough late hills.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 405m
- Elevation loss
- 409m
- Highest point
- 173m
- Lowest point
- 48m
- Net elevation
- -4m
- Start
- Starts and finishes at Headingley Stadium, through Woodhouse Moor, Adel, Bramhope, Pool-in-Wharfedale, and Otley.
- Cutoff time
- 7h 45m
Race History
The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon was first held in 2023, named for the beloved rugby league star and his motor neurone disease campaign, run on a genuinely hilly Yorkshire course. Deeply emotional and charity-driven, it honored Burrow, who lived with MND before his death in 2024. From its founding it drew enormous, moved crowd support. Held each May, it draws a spirited field to the city.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Leeds Bradford (LBA), Manchester (MAN)
- Best area to stay
- The city centre for proximity to the route and full hotels, Headingley for proximity to the finish and lively stays, and the Calls waterfront for characterful options.
- Getting to the start
- The start is in the city centre; walk from central hotels, with the finish at Headingley reachable by bus or train.