OVER 12,000 people have signed up to the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, making it the biggest such race in Yorkshire’s history, organisers say.

The marathon, which will be held on May 14 this year, will be the first to be held in Leeds for 20 years, and has been set up in honour of the Leeds Rhinos legend.

The race will start and finish at Headingley Stadium, in a nod to Burrow’s playing career.

In 2019, he was diagnosed with motor-neurone disease (MND), but has spent the years since avidly raising cash and awareness for charities trying to find a cure for the condition, alongside his former team-mate Kevin Sinfield.

The marathon, which is being organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, will see more money generated for MND causes, while the Leeds half-marathon takes place the same day.

Speaking at a council committee meeting on Monday, Tristan Batley-Kyle from Run For All, said: “It’s a celebration of Rob as well as a celebration for Leeds as a city.

“At this stage we shut entries on Friday and I can’t remember the exact figure, but we’re in the region of 12,500 entries for the Leeds Marathon and 3,500 for the half marathon.

“That should put the event as the bggest marathon Yorkshire’s ever had, but also probably the biggest running event that we’ve hosted and that the city’s hosted as well.”

The race will pass through outer northern areas of Leeds, with roads across the route closed on the day. A full list of those, produced by the organisers, can be found here https://www.runforall.com/media/ozxkjvwz/2023-leeds-marathon-half-marathon-road-closure-poster.pdf

Mr Batley-Kyle said, however, that organisers would look to be “flexible” and set up marshalled crossing points which vehicles could potentially use at certain times during the race when it’s safe to do so.

Around 600 marshals will also be deployed on the day to offer guidance to runners and spectators.

Local Liberal Democrat councillor Sandy Lay was enthusiastic about the race, which will pass through the Otley ward he represents.

He told the committee: “We’ve quite a lot of experience with large events passing through our community.

“We’ve had the Tour de France and the Tour de Yorkshire come through Otley, so we’re really relaxed about it.

“I think it’s an opportunity for businesses, especially hospitality businesses, and Otley does that very well.

“I suspect it will be a great day, so bring it on I say.”