On Sunday, thousands of runners will take to the streets of Leeds for the Rob Burrow Marathon and Half Marathon, each with their own powerful reason for tackling the 26.2-mile challenge. Among them is Emma Oliver, whose journey to the starting line is fueled by heartbreak and hope.
"People have said to my face, 'Daniel took the coward's way out.' This is why we need to keep raising awareness," Emma shares. After losing her teenage son to suicide in February 2017, she channeled her grief into action, founding the charity Team Daniel to support young people's mental health.
Daniel was just 15, in the midst of studying for his GCSEs, when the pressure became too much. "I knew he was getting stressed, but I didn't realize how much," Emma recalls. "I did everything—I approached the school, I paid for a maths tutor three days before he took his own life. I remember the tutor saying, 'You're going to smash it,' but even then, Daniel just wasn't confident."
Team Daniel now offers a revision hub, mental health support, and workshops that help young people identify signs of bullying—all aimed at preventing other families from experiencing similar pain. Emma's marathon run is about more than crossing the finish line; it's about keeping Daniel's story alive and breaking the stigma around mental health.
The race itself is a tribute to another kind of strength: it starts at Headingley Stadium, where rugby legend Rob Burrow achieved so much with the Leeds Rhinos, before winding through Woodhouse Moor, Adel, and Otley, and finishing back at the ground. For Emma, running has been a form of therapy since before Daniel's death, but in the months afterward, it became a lifeline.
"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."
As she prepares to hit the pavement, Emma's mission is clear: "It's important to share Daniel's story because even today, there's still stigma attached. This is why we run—to raise awareness, to support young people, and to show that no one should ever feel alone."
Whether you're running for a cause, for your own mental health, or simply for the love of the sport, every step counts. Lace up your shoes, find your reason, and join the movement. Because sometimes, the most powerful runs are the ones that carry a purpose far beyond the miles.