Emotional moment Rugby League star Rob Burrow is carried over Leeds Marathon finish line by former team-mate Kevin Sinfield after he pushed the wheelchair-bound motor neurone disease sufferer around the 26-mile course
- Former rugby league player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019
- His former team-mate Kevin Sinfield has raised more than £8 million since then
Former rugby league star Rob Burrow was carried across the finish line at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on Sunday by former team-mate Kevin Sinfield after being pushed around the 26-mile course in a wheelchair.
The pair were raising money for motor neurone disease (MND) charities and used a specially-adapted chair to join 12,500 other runners in the first Leeds marathon in 20 years.
Rugby coach Sinfield has raised over £8million for MND charities since friend and former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in late 2019.
The 42-year-old, who pushed Burrow, 40, around Sunday’s course, completed his Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge in November when he ran seven back-to-back ultra-marathons, running around 40 miles each day.
He was supported by Lindsey Burrow, the former player’s wife, who is hoping to complete her first-ever full marathon. She has so far raised more than £10,000 for MND charities on her marathon JustGiving page.
Kevin Sinfield, 42, carried Rob Burrow, 40, across the finish line on Sunday afternoon
The event has raised in excess of £1 million for various charities, including those that research motor neurone disease
Also supporting the event are former rugby league players Gary Mercer, Barrie McDermott, Matt Diskin, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Kevin Sinfield, Nick Youngquest and Luke Burgess.
Sinfield and Rob Burrow finished the incredible distance at a little after 1.30pm. Before crossing the line, Sinfield stopped and took his friend out of his wheelchair, choosing to carry him across the line himself.
The pair were clearly emotional as they crossed the finish line to huge cheers from the watching crowds.
Sinfield was photographed as he gave his former teammate a kiss of affection to mark the moment they crossed the line.
The marathon, plus the Leeds Half Marathon which also took place on Sunday, is being held by Leeds City Council in partnership with Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All charity and has already surpassed the £1 million mark.
Sinfield said ahead of the marathon: ‘To raise money for the MND Association and the Leeds Hospitals Charity is really important, but this is also about a celebration of friendship.
‘We get the chance to do it together with 12,500 people and hopefully people will come out and see us and say hello out on the streets supporting. I think it’s a wonderful thing for Leeds.
‘The Council have been fantastic, Run For All have been brilliant and I’m sure it will be an incredible day on Sunday.’
Event organisers have been inspired to stage the city’s first marathon in 20 years by Sinfield’s previous running challenges.
Runners began at Headingley Stadium this morning before running through the city of Leeds and returning to the stadium for the finishing line.
Sinfield gives Burrow an affectionate kiss to mark the moment they cross the finish line
Kevin Sinfield celebrates as he runs along the finishing parade before crossing the line
The marathon started and finished at Headingley Stadium in Leeds
Sinfield prepares to take Burrow out of his wheelchair along with other supporters
Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield (pushing the wheelchair) at the start of the 2023 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
Lindsey Burrow participates in the marathon, having personally raised more than £10,000 for this event alone
The marathon was the first such event to be held in Leeds for 20 years
Approximately 12,500 people are running the in marathon on Sunday to raise money for MND and other charities
Burrow previously described his aim to create a new MND Care Centre in Leeds. He said: ‘Imprisoned in the brutality of MND, my vision is that people diagnosed with MND hear the news in a calming and tranquil sanctuary.
‘I envisage a beautiful, welcoming building that is user and family friendly. A place where patients feel comfortable to bring family members into a safe and homely environment for them, with signs of hope and optimism.’
In late 2020, Sinfield ran seven marathons in seven days and in 2021 he completed a run of 101 miles in 24 hours.
‘I’ve always ran in a team with the challenges that I’ve done, this is just a bigger team this time, so the money and the awareness we can raise for a whole host of different charities will be brilliant,’ Sinfield, now on the England rugby union coach staff, said.
‘I’m really looking forward to it now. I can’t wait to get out there on Sunday. The support has been incredible.
‘To have 12,500 people running in Rob’s name, all for different charities and causes, I think is wonderful and I know how proud Rob is of it and we’ll have a good day on Sunday.’
Burrow’s wife Lindsey is hoping to complete her first full marathon, despite carrying a knee injury.
She said: ‘We’re unbelievably proud and we just want to say a massive thank you to all the amazing runners and everyone who has supported Rob and to the crowd who support on the day as well.
MND is a rare condition that progressively damages the nervous system, symptoms including muscle weakness and visible frailty
Sinfield has raised more than £8million for MND charities since Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in 2019
‘They will play a massive part of getting the runners through the event, so it’s a huge heart-felt thank you to them and we hope they enjoy the occasion.’
Sinfield and Burrow will be joined by former Rhinos team-mates, plus triathlete Jonny Brownlee and boxer Josh Warrington along various parts of the route.
The marathon aims to drive awareness and funds for the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND here in Leeds, as well as the MND Association.
MND is a rare condition that progressively damages the nervous system, symptoms including muscle weakness and visible frailty.
The degenerative disease has affected a string of sports stars as well as renowned professor, Stephen Hawking.
Recent research revealed some sports players have a higher risk of developing the condition.
Rugby league legend Rob Burrow, former footballer Stephen Darby and ex-Scotland rugby union international Doddie Weir have all recently been diagnosed.
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