Yorkshire Marathon Festival to mark 10th Anniversary in 2023

Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All has today launched the Yorkshire Marathon Festival’s 10^th Anniversary celebrations, with the popular running event marking it’s 10^th Anniversary in Yorkshire when it takes place this year on Sunday 15^th October.

This year’s 10^th Anniversary edition is set to feature the Yorkshire Marathon, Yorkshire 10 Mile and Yorkshire Marathon Relay.

This incredible milestone will be recognised through what the Yorkshire Marathon has always been about, ordinary people achieving extraordinary things.

Capturing the Yorkshire Spirit with its charitable causes and the supporting of thousands of cheering locals, this year’s Yorkshire Marathon Festival is set to celebrate the qualities of what make Yorkshire so great; pride, warmth, inclusivity and community spirit. From elites to first-timers to charity runners, the Yorkshire Marathon is truly an event for all.

Launched in 2013 by Mike Tomlinson and various famous faces including ex-footballer Chris Kamara MBE, Actress Angela Griffin and Leeds United legend Eddie Gray, the Yorkshire Marathon was set up in memory of the late amateur athlete and fundraiser Jane Tomlinson CBE. Jane, from Leeds, a huge inspiration to many, made headlines around the world by taking part in a series of incredible endurance events – despite being diagnosed with an incurable cancer.

Drawing runners of all ages and abilities both nationally and internationally, the Yorkshire Marathon Festival has grown to become a major sporting fixture, a true testament to the event’s character and signifance on the global running calendar. Attracting participants from across the globe, 65 countries have been represented at the Yorkshire Marathon Festival.

Stirring a buzz from day one, a number of noticeable faces have joined in on the action over the years including retired international cricket umpire, Dickie Bird OBE, the late BBC broadcaster Harry Gration MBE, Paralympian Hannah Cockroft OBE, ex-footballer now turned Pundit and Commentator, Danny Mills, Emmerdale star Tony Audenshaw and rugby league legends, Kevin Sinfield OBE, Jamie Peacock and Keith Senior.

Attracted by the opportunity to run through York’s historic streets and surrounding scenic Yorkshire countryside, the marathon course decorates local sights such as York Minster and the ancient city walls.

The Yorkshire 10 Mile takes in much of the same route over a shorter distance, while in the Yorkshire Marathon relay, teams of six colleagues, friends or teammates come together to each take on a leg of the marathon, to complete the full marathon distance. 

This year’s Yorkshire Marathon will have extra meaning for York native, Stephen Wilson, who like many others will be taking on his 10^th Yorkshire Marathon in 2013.

Speaking to Run For All, Simon said “I’d run a couple of marathons away from home, but couldn’t believe my luck when I first heard there was going to be one in York.

I did the first one and loved it, and vowed to do it every year from then on.

It’s so well organised and the support around the course is amazing, its great seeing family, so many friends and other runners as you go around. When the going gets tough, the supporters keep you going!”

Catherine Stutt, who this year will be celebrating ten years cancer free has decided to run her first ever marathon.

Catherine from North Yorkshire said, “This year marks my tenth year of being Cancer free as well as my 50th Birthday so I’m celebrating with York being my first ever full marathon! All proceeds are going to Cancer research. I’m also running other races to make 100 miles of running.

It’s very fitting that York is also celebrating its 10^th anniversary too. This is a huge challenge but I’m looking forward to it!”

Wheelchair racer, Mark Sinclair from Bournemouth is also set to take part, “The inclusivity of the Yorkshire marathon immediately struck me. I will be completing the marathon in a racing wheelchair and I am aiming to meet the qualifying time for the London Marathon next year.

It is 20 years since I completed my first marathon as an able-bodied athlete. I was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis 16 years ago and whilst my mobility has deteriorated over that time I have always tried to maintain a good fitness level, with my means of participation continuously evolving.

Events like the Yorkshire Marathon allow to me to keep involved in sport which is essential for both my physical and mental strength.”

Mike Tomlinson, added “We are extremely proud to be celebrating the 10^th Anniversary of the Yorkshire Marathon Festival. The event has grown to be such an iconic event and is so well received not only across the region but around the world.

Since 2013, the Yorkshire Marathon Festival has always been committed to embracing participating of all abilities and ages while also providing a fundraising vehicle for so many deserving charities.

We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of our partners, charities and community so we would like to give a huge thank you to all those who have supported the festival over the last ten years.

Whether you join us for the Yorkshire Marathon Festival year on year or haven’t joined us for a while, we would love to see you at the start line this year for our 10^th Anniversary year.”

Participants are encouraged to fundraise for their own charity of choice or one of the event’s partner charities. These include; St Leonard’s Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, York Mind and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

Any charities interested in becoming an Official Charity Partner of the 2023 Yorkshire Marathon Festival, whether they have previously been involved with the event or not, are encouraged to contact Run For All as soon as possible.

To find out and to sign up go to, participants are encouraged to go to www.runforall.com

Check out the Run For All RIA Foundation Member profile here  .