The Daily Observer London Desk: Reporter- Judith Benjamin
Former rugby league star Rob Burrow has reflected on the emotional ending to the Leeds Marathon on Sunday, after being carried across the finish line by former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Kevin Sinfield.
The pair were raising money for motor neurone disease (MND) charities and used a specially-adapted chair to join 12,500 other runners.
Sinfield pushed Burrow around 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 ending to the event on This Morning and the money which has been raised for MND charities.
‘The Marathon was one of the most important and special events I’ve done and meant so many things to so many people,’ Burrow said, assisted by technology to help him communicate.
Kevin Sinfield carried Rob Burrow over the finish line of the Leeds Marathon on Sunday
Burrow said the emotional moment with his former team-mate would stay with him forever
Burrow and Sinfield have said they have been blown away by the funds raised for MND
‘But for me, it was about friendship and crossing the finish line with my mate Kev will live with me forever and it created a platform to raise funds and awareness for MND charities, and I hope that the next one is as memorable.
‘I’ve been blown away by the amount of money that has been raised and the support I have received since my diagnosis three years ago.
‘There are so many kind people and I have a great deal of love for them, it took me to get MND to see just how many wonderful people there are and how much people care.
‘I’m a positive person who lives life to the full and this really helps with my fight against MND.’
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 England Rugby Union coach previously completed a Ultra 7 in 7 Challenge in November when he ran seven back-to-back ultra-marathons.
Over £4million in charitable donations were raised on the day of the marathon, plus the Leeds Half Marathon.
Burrow’s wife Lindsey raised over £97,000 by completing her first marathon on the day.
Sinfield has raised over £8m for charities since Burrow was diagnosed with MND back in 2019
Burrow’s wife Lindsey raised over £97,000 by completing her first marathon on Sunday
Sinfield said the finish was a ‘beautiful moment’ in their friendship and vowed to continue fundraising in support of MND charities for the rest of his life.
‘It was an incredible day raising money,’ Sinfield said.
‘12,500 people ran in Rob’s name and the first time we’ve been able to do a big event together and was put together under the banner of friendship, and it was a brilliant day.
‘It was a beautiful moment, certainly for me, and I hope Rob feels the same.
‘We’ve had some incredible moments on the field together and they’ve been really important in our friendship but some really tough moments, but to get to do that together was brilliant.
‘I will continue to raise funds for MND for the rest of my life. I’m passionate about it, I’m in it.
‘This is a big part of who I am now. Whether that is a bit more private and behind the scenes, but it will continue. I’d love to think we’d go again.’
