Rob Burrow reflects on the emotional end to the Leeds Marathon with Kevin Sinfield
‘Crossing the finish line will stay with me forever’: Rob Burrow reflects on the emotional end of the Leeds Marathon as former teammate Kevin Sinfield vows to raise money for MND charities for ‘the rest of my life’
Former rugby league star Rob Burrow has reflected on the emotional end to Sunday’s Leeds Marathon after being carried across the finish line by former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield.
The pair raised money for motor neuron disease (MND) charities and used a specially adapted chair to join 12,500 other runners.
Sinfield pushed Burrow through the course of the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, before lifting him out of the wheelchair and carrying him across the finish line.
Burrow, 40, and Sinfield, 42, were asked about the emotional end of the event on This Morning and the money raised for MND charities.
“The marathon was one of the most important and special events I’ve done and has meant so much to so many people,” Burrow said, aided by technology to help him communicate.
Kevin Sinfield carried Rob Burrow across the finish line of the Leeds Marathon on Sunday
Burrow said the emotional moment with his former teammate would stay with him forever
Burrow and Sinfield have said they are overwhelmed with the money raised for MND
“But for me it was about friendship and crossing the finish line with my friend Kev will be with me forever and it created a platform to raise money and awareness for MND charities and I hope the next one is just as memorable is.
“I am overwhelmed by the amount raised and the support I have received since my diagnosis three years ago.
“There are so many nice people out there and I have a lot of love for them, it was hard for me to show MND how many great people there are and how much people care.
“I’m a positive person who gets the most out of life and this really helps my fight against ALS.”
Sinfield has raised more than £8 million for MND charities since friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate Burrow was diagnosed in late 2019.
The England Rugby Union coach completed an Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge earlier in November when he ran seven back-to-back ultra marathons.
More than £4 million in charitable donations was raised on the day of the marathon, plus the Leeds Half Marathon.
Burrow’s wife Lindsey raised more than £97,000 by completing her first marathon on that day.
Sinfield has raised over £8 million for charities since Burrow was diagnosed with ALS in 2019
Burrow’s wife Lindsey raised more than £97,000 by running her first marathon on Sunday
Sinfield said the finish was a “beautiful moment” in their friendship and pledged to spend the rest of his life raising money in support of MND charities.
“It was an incredible day to raise money,” Sinfield said.
‘12,500 people walked in Rob’s name and the first time we’ve been able to do a big event together and it was organized under the banner of friendship, and it was a brilliant day.
“It was a great moment, especially for me, and I hope Rob feels the same way.
“We’ve had some incredible moments together on the pitch and they’ve been very important in our friendship, but some really tough moments, but to do that together was brilliant.
“I will continue to raise money for MND for the rest of my life. I’m in it, I’m in it.
“This is a big part of who I am now. Or that is a bit more private and behind the scenes, but that will continue. I’d like to think we’d go again.’