8 May 2026 News

MORE than 500 MND Association supporters will travel to Leeds this weekend as the community comes together once more for the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Since 2023, the annual marathon and half marathon have become major events in the fundraising calendar attracting people with MND and their families and runners from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The event, which is being held on Sunday, 10 May, is in memory of former Association patron and Leeds Rhinos legend, Rob Burrow CBE, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and died in 2024.

Sean Davies, who is living with SOD1 MND – a genetic form of the disease – will take part in the marathon relay on Sunday in an act of defiance against a disease which has claimed the lives of loved ones including his father, aunts and cousins.

In 2024, Sean, a keen runner started taking a life-changing drug called tofersen, which has been proven to slow, or even stop, progression of SOD1 MND.

Sean and Mary Davies
Sean and Mary Davies who will be taking part in the Marathon Relay on Sunday

He said: “I hear from lots of people that we aren’t making progress in MND research and that things are not moving fast enough, but I’m living proof that they are. 

“I can still work, still contribute and take part in events like the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. The difference it makes is enormous.”

Will Cook from Knaresborough will be taking part in the marathon to raise money for the Association in support of his father, David, who was diagnosed with MND last year. He will be joined by six members of their family and friends who will aim to complete the marathon in a relay.

David and Will Cook
Will Cook, right, who will be taking part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon after his Dad, David, was diagnosed last year.

Will said: “The past few months have been really tough for Dad and we’ve all really struggled with his diagnosis, but he’s now settled and has the care and support he needs. There’s been such an outpouring of love for him and that really shows what a wonderful person he is.

“I wanted to run the marathon for Dad but then decided to take it a step further and invite six other people who are close to him to run it with me in a relay.”

The team heading to Leeds includes Will’s wife Steph, David’s niece Helen Brown, and Luke Whiteley, who shares David’s love of Leeds United. Also taking part is guitarist Ben Molzahn, who represents David’s love of music, David’s younger son, Tom Cook, who will complete two legs and Will’s mother-in-law, Trish Palmer.

Elizabeth Wood from Leeds will be running her first marathon in memory of her much-loved friend Tanya, who died from MND aged just 45 last year.

Elizabeth Wood, right, who is taking part in the marathon in memory of her friend Tanya, who died from MND last year.
Elizabeth Wood, right, who is taking on the marathon in memory of her friend, Tanya, who died from MND last year.

“Tanya was an amazing woman,” Elizabeth said.

“She loved the joy of life, and I’m determined to remember her as she was. For Tanya to have experienced a disease so brutal, which left her unable to talk anymore, was just heartbreaking. 

“This is about celebrating her and her wonderful life.”

Teams from the Association’s corporate partners, Toyota GB and Evoke will also be taking part.

So far, Association runners have raised almost £240,000 to support the MND Association with that figure expected to climb as the big day approaches. The money raised will help to support people with MND and their families as well as progress towards potential new treatments.

You can keep up to date with the latest from Leeds by following the Association social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X.