Emma Oliver is running for Team Daniel, the charity she founded after the death of her son [Handout]
Elizabeth Baines – Yorkshire
Ten thousand runners are set to pound the streets of Leeds as participants take on the Rob Burrow Marathon and Half Marathon. But what drives some to tackle the 26.2-mile (42km) challenge?
“People have said to my face, ‘Daniel took the coward’s way out.’ This is why we need to keep raising awareness,” says Emma Oliver.
After her teenage son’s death, she established a charity to support young people’s mental health. Emma will run on Sunday for Team Daniel.
“I knew he was getting stressed, but I obviously didn’t realize how stressed,” she explains.
Daniel died by suicide in February 2017. The 15-year-old was in the midst of studying for his GCSE exams.
“It just got too much for him,” Emma recalls.
“I did everything. I approached the school, I paid for a maths tutor to come in three days before he took his own life.
“I remember the tutor saying, ‘you are going to smash it,’ but even then, Daniel just wasn’t confident.”
The heartbroken mother founded Team Daniel in the months following her son’s death. The charity supports teenagers through exam stress with its revision hub and offers mental health assistance. Workshops to help young people identify signs of bullying have also been created.
Daniel died by suicide at age 15 [Handout]
Sunday’s marathon, which Emma will run, starts at Headingley Stadium—the site of many of Rob Burrow’s greatest triumphs with the Leeds Rhinos—before winding through Woodhouse Moor, Adel, and Otley, finishing back at the ground.
Emma took up running before Daniel’s death, but in the months afterward, she found moments of solace in the sport.
“It helps my mental health, just to get out with earphones and music,” she explains.
“Sometimes the intention is to go for four miles, but by the time I’ve lost myself, I’ve done six or seven.”
Emma aims to raise money for the charity through her run. “It is important to share Daniel’s story, because even today there is still stigma attached.
“I talk about Daniel all the time—the support has been amazing.”
This year’s marathon is the second since the death of Rob Burrow in June 2024 [PA Media]
This year marks the fourth edition of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon. It is the second since the passing of the rugby league legend in June 2024.
Craig Whiteley, who has completed marathons in Berlin, Tokyo, and New York, believes the event is among the best in the world.
“The best one in the world is Boston, and then Leeds is underneath,” says the 65-year-old.
“The crowd in Leeds just helps you around it, even if it’s your first time running—the crowd is amazing.”
About 45,000 people have participated across both the marathon and half marathon since its inception.
Five thousand people are expected to take part in this year’s marathon and half marathon [PA Media]
The marathon will start at 09:00 BST on Sunday, with the half marathon beginning at 10:00 BST.
Alex Reeves will be among those competing in the shorter—but still challenging—half marathon.
The 28-year-old is fundraising for the Bradford charity Gig Buddies, which supports adults with learning disabilities and autism to have a full and varied social life.
“I’m feeling a bit nervous, but excited at the same time. I did it last year and was a lot less prepared,” he admits.
“I got inspired by Jamie Jones Buchanan from Leeds.”