Coming to Otley for the 2025 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon? Here’s all you need to know
At 9am on Sunday May 11, 2025 around 10,000 runners will set out from Headingley passing through Adel, Eccup, Bramhope, Arthington and Pool before heading down Pool Road (A659) to Otley.
Once in the town, the route follows Boroughgate, turning left up Kirkgate before making a left onto Bondgate and Gay Lane. The runners then leave town via Leeds Road.
The first runner is due to come through Otley at around 10.20 with the last around 14.00.
The route is indicated on our map by the green arrows. Want to know more about what’s on on the day? Read on!
(Ps. At the bottom of the page, you can see an image of the whole route)
Otley Fan Park and other viewing spots
The Otley Fan Park this year will be held in Market Place and is sponsored by Otley BID. The park will have DJs from Your Harrogate Radio (Nick Hancock from the breakfast show, Pete Edgerton from the morning show and Alex Cann from the evening show), selfie frames and much more, with cafes, restaurants and other businesses open for the day.
Otley Farmers Market will also be open from 9am – 2.30pm. The market’s fabulous makers, bakers and creators will be ready to welcome visitors offering everything from fruit and veg to fresh fish, cheese, bagels, bread, pies and italian cakes, as well as brownies, fresh coffee, art, jewellery, candles, soaps, succulents, samosas and more. Plus there will be a range of incredible hot food to keep you fuelled!
The Fan Park can be seen on the map above. Other spots we feel offer decent views are also listed on the map, indicated by a pair of binoculars. They are
No.1 Otley Rugby Club
The scene of the 2023 fan park is still a great place to see runners as they come through the town.
No.2 Asda and Denton Cars
There should be plenty of space here to spot your runner(s), while Asda is expected to be open on its usual Sunday shopping hours (10am-4pm).
No.3 Pool Road/Cross Green/Boroughgate
The pavement should be wide enough to accommodate people along this stretch. At the time of writing we do not know if Maypole Fisheries will be open on the day, but Otley’s own microbrewery Shadow Brewing is usually open for the race. There are a number of pubs here including the White Swan, Otley Taps (home of the Otley Burger Company), the Bay Horse Inn and the Black Horse, as well as Joy’s Coffee House.
No. 4 Kirkgate
There should be space either side of the pavement here to watch runners pass. Kirkgate is also home to a number of bars and cafés, including Efes restaurant, Costa, Cranberry, Tapas & Tunes and more.
No. 5 Bondgate and Gay Lane
As runners round the corner into Bondgate, the Otley Ukulele Orchestra will be performing outside the Woolpack Studios from 11am-1pm.
Chevin Cycles (where Charles Street meets Gay Lane) has a small car park and it may be possible to view the race from the pavement here. The shop is open from 10am to 4pm. Inspired and want to buy some running gear? Our lovely independent running store Yorkshire Runner (38 Bondgate) should be opening on the day.
The dreaded by many long climb out of town and up Leeds Road starts at gay Lane. Local businesses include the fabulous Bloomfield Square café (28-30 Gay Lane) and Gay Lane Fisheries at 55 Gay Lane. There is also a pedestrian entry/exit and car exit point at the Sainsbury’s here. The store is usually open on Sundays from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
The 2025 Rob Burrow Marathon Route
Road closures – from the organisers *
* this information was presented to us on April 24, 2025. Visit Otley is not responsible for its accuracy.
Route, access and parking There will be a spectator shuttle bus running from Headingley to Otley and Bramhope – tickets will need to be purchased in advance and cost £6 from this link.
While you can drive to Otley and there is parking in the areas as indicated on the map, please factor in the road closures and the fact the town will be busy on the day.
Event Specific Information
Date: 11/05/2025
Leeds Marathon Start Time: 09:00
Leeds Half Marathon Start Time: 10:00
Last Runner expected to Finish: 16:45
Leeds Marathon Route: HERE
Leeds Half Marathon Route: HERE
Leeds Marathon Route Specifics
The 2025 Leeds Marathon will start on St Michael’s Lane and finish inside Headingley Stadium. The route will head out via Cardigan Road, Victoria Road and loop around Woodhouse Moor towards Leeds city centre. Runners will then complete a loop by Leeds University before using Otley Road (towards Otley crossing Lawnswood roundabout) > Eccup Lane > Kings Road > Leeds Road > Creskeld Lane > Arthington Lane > Pool Road and through the centre of Otley via A659 Boroughgate, Kirkgate, Bondgate and Gay Lane before then taking the climb up Leeds Road and Otley Chevin heading back towards Headingley. Runners will then turn onto North Lane > Cardigan Road and finish inside Headingley Stadium.
Road Closure Information
Road closures will be implemented from 04:00 on Sunday 11th May to facilitate the event build around St Michael’s Lane and will be re-opened no later than 18:00. Road closures around Cardigan Road and North Lane will then be implemented from 06:30 to facilitate further event build. Road closures around the route will then be implemented from 07:30 – 09:00. Roads will re-open on a rolling basis when safe to do so with the final closure on route re-opening for 16:45. Please also note that parking suspensions around the route will come into place from 18:00 on Saturday 10th May; vehicles may have to be moved for safety purposes if in contravention of the suspensions on the Sunday morning. For more information on the road closures and re-opening times as well as diversion routes to plan ahead please see our interactive road closure map HERE.
We have had fantastic support over the years from businesses, churches, schools and others around the route and if you would like to get involved again or get involved for the first time with the event we would very much welcome your support. Whether that be providing entertainment, a cheer point or providing some sort of refreshments on route please do let us know.
If you need any access arrangements please e-mail us at [email protected] as soon as possible or before Monday 28th April to ensure we can facilitate these requirements before our event.