Road closures planned for Rob Burrow Marathon

Thousands of runners are expected to take part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on Sunday - the first since the rugby league legend's death.

Former Leeds Rhinos star Burrow died last June aged 41 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019.

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon was launched in 2023 to honour his campaign to fund research into MND.

Ahead of this year's event, Leeds Council has outlined temporary road closures that will be put in place and deputy council leader Jonathan Pryor said the authority would be "doing everything we can to minimise the impact of these measures".

The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon was set up by Burrow and his family as part of their efforts to support people living with MND.

The event also helps raise funds for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal as well as the MND Association, however, entrants are encouraged to raise money for a charity of their choice.

A half marathon is held in tandem with the event.

At the inaugural marathon in 2023, rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield pushed Burrow around the course in a specially-adapted wheelchair before carrying him across the finish line.

The marathon will start and end at Headingley Stadium.

Runners will follow a circular route that initially winds around Woodhouse Moor before striking out for Adel, Lawnswood, Bramhope, Pool in Wharfedale and Otley.

The Leeds Half Marathon follows much of the same route.

Water and energy stations will be placed along the course for runners needing to recharge, as well as first aid checks and cheer points.

The marathon will get under way at 09:00 BST, with competitors in the half marathon setting off at 10:00.

From 04:00 on Sunday, part of St Michael's Lane in Headingley will be closed to vehicles, a Leeds Council spokesperson said.

Sections of Cardigan Road, Kirkstall Lane and North Lane will be shut from 06:00.

By 08:00, roads between Headingley and Far Headingley will also be closed.

Further closures will come into force from 08:30 in Adel, Lawnswood and Bramhope.

Roads will be closed in Pool in Wharfdale and Otley from 09:00, the spokesperson added.

People travelling to and from the Harewood area of Leeds can use diversions along the A61 Harrogate Road and the A61 Scott Hall Road.

Diversions are also in place along A65 Kirkstall Road, A65 New Road Side, A65 Leeds Road and A6038 Bradford Road for anyone trying to access Horsforth and Adel from the Meanwood area of Leeds.

In Kirkstall, from the A65 Kirkstall road, drivers have access through to the Leeds Inner Ring Road.

Leeds City Council said affected roads along the route will be reopened on a rolling basis during the day, as soon as it is safe to do so.

Pryor said the council had been "working hard alongside partners at Run For All to ensure that this year's event is another huge success, with traffic planning forming an important element of those preparations".

He said: "We will be doing everything we can to minimise the impact of these measures, and thank residents in advance for their patience and understanding."

The forecast on Sunday in Leeds is expected to be sunny and warm.

Temperatures are expected to peak at 21C (70F) at around 14:00 BST.

Siobhan Curtis, from the organisers of the marathon, Jane Tomlinson's Run For All, said it was important for runners to "respect the heat".

"Listen to your body, dress appropriately in light colours - consider wearing a hat," she said.

"We want to see people cross the finish line together safe and well."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.