Emotional moment wheelchair-bound Rugby League star Rob Burrow is carried over Leeds Marathon finish line by former team-mate Kevin Sinfield
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.
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.