Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon: Kevin Sinfield to run in honour his good friend
Kevin Sinfield continues to be inspired by former team-mate Rob Burrow and will run the Leeds Marathon dedicated to the rugby league legend.
Sinfield and Burrow shared plenty of success on the rugby field with Rhinos, enjoying nearly 15 years together.
Burrow, 39, was diagnosed in December 2019 with MND, a degenerative condition affecting nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
The pair reunited on Monday to celebrate the launch of the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, set to take place May 14, 2023.
Burrow’s former captain in Sinfield remains in awe at his close friend’s resolve and fighting spirit.
Kevin Sinfield: ‘He’s been so brave’
Sinfield told the PA news agency: “It’s been incredible what Rob has been able to do. It’s almost galvanised the UK. Everybody understands what MND is now because of Rob and a number of others.
“He’s been so brave and courageous, but inspirational is probably the word I’d use to describe him the most.
“People who were once ashamed of being diagnosed with MND, or found it difficult explaining what MND was, now aren’t. That’s such a change in people’s attitudes.
“We’ve got to help these people and Rob’s right at the forefront of that and whilst he’s willing to fight like he has, we’ll continue doing what we do.”
I am so proud to have a marathon named after me. Everything about the amazing city of Leeds is class. I'm going to have to take part in my electric wheelchair. I will start now and get fit! This is for all charities in particular the MND community!
— Rob Burrow MBE (@Rob7Burrow) April 11, 2022
‘He’ll be on that start line setting us off’
Sinfield raised more than £2million for the MND Association when in December 2020 he ran seven marathons in seven days. The former England skipper also completed a 24-hour running challenge from Leicester to Leeds in November 2021.
Next year’s marathon, the first to be staged in 20 years in Leeds, will have 7,777 places available and is set to feature an altogether new route that will start and finish at Headingley Stadium.
Sinfield, who appeared in 12 victorious finals alongside Burrow in a golden period in Leeds’ history, hopes the fundraising effort can accelerate plans to open a new MND Care Centre in Leeds.
He said: “It’s crazy that a city like Leeds doesn’t have a marathon and it should have one. The fact it’s going to be in Rob’s name is brilliant.
“He’ll be on that start line setting us off and I think (Burrow’s wife) Lindsey’s running and we’ll get as many former team-mates together and try to be hobble round.
“We just want to keep banging the drum. We need to find a cure. It’s a terrible disease. It’s been massively underfunded over the years. We’re just trying to turn that around and try and help.
“We’ve got to keep fighting. Every penny helps. We’d love to get the centre built in Leeds, the Rob Burrow Centre would be incredible.”
EAD MORE: Kevin Sinfield honours Rob Burrow with brand new Leeds Marathon
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