London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jul 07, 2025

Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow over Leeds marathon finish

Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow over Leeds marathon finish

Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield stopped short of the finish at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon to carry his friend over the line.

The event named after former Leeds Rhinos star Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019, saw more than 12,000 people take part.

It was inspired by Sinfield, who pushed his former team-mate around the course in a specially-adapted wheelchair.

He then lifted Burrow up and carried him, to the delight of spectators.

As a crowd cheered them on, Sinfield gave Burrow a kiss after joining thousands of other runners in Leeds' first marathon in 20 years.

Sinfield and Burrow at the start of the 2023 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon


Spectators also lined the 26.2-mile (42.2km) course - which started and ended at Headingley Stadium - to cheer them on.

One woman told BBC Look North it had been an emotional day, especially seeing the two friends completing the marathon together.

Another said she was there to support her 76-year-old husband, who was running his first marathon, with two false knees and four stents.

Sinfield said the marathon was a celebration of friendship


The marathon aimed to raise funds for The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal and the Leeds Hospitals Charity, as well as a host of other causes.

"The support for the MND community through the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon has been fantastic," said Sinfield, who has himself set numerous fundraising running challenges in support of his friend.

Ahead of the race, Sinfield thanked all those involved for "creating something so incredible in Rob's name".

"Today is a celebration of friendship," he added.

Sinfield has raised more than £8m for MND charities after several other ventures, including running seven back-to-back ultra marathons in November.

In late 2020, Sinfield ran seven marathons in seven days and in 2021 he completed a run of 101 miles in 24 hours.

More than 12,000 people signed up to take part in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon

Runners included Rob's wife Lindsey


Speaking before the big day, Burrow said: "Leeds is such a wonderful city and I am so grateful for all the support the city has shown not just for me and my family, but for the event and the entire MND community."

Run For All announced last month The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon would return in 2024 after an "overwhelming" number of people entered this year's race.

Jenn Scribbins, from the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon was important to defeat the "devastating" disease.

"Six people are diagnosed every day and unfortunately there is no cure," she said.

"What this event is doing is raising those funds to help us get closer to that cure."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
Boris Johnson Urges Conservatives to Ignore Farage
SNP Ordered to Update Single-Sex Space Guidance Within Days
Starmer Set to Reject Calls for Wealth Taxes
Stolen Century-Old Rolls-Royce Recovered After Hotel Theft
Macron Presses Starmer to Recognise Palestinian State
Labour Delayed Palestine Action Ban Over Riot Concerns
Swinney’s Tax Comments ‘Offensive to Scots’, Say Tories
High Street Retailers to Enforce Bans on Serial Shoplifters
Music Banned by Henry VIII to Be Performed After 500 Years
Steve Coogan Says Working Class Is Being ‘Ethnically Cleansed’
Home Office Admits Uncertainty Over Visa Overstayer Numbers
JD Vance Questions Mandelson Over Reform Party’s Rising Popularity
Macron to Receive Windsor Carriage Ride in Royal Gesture
Labour Accused of ‘Hammering’ Scots During First Year in Power
BBC Head of Music Stood Down Amid Bob Vylan Controversy
Corbyn Eyes Hard-Left Challenge to Starmer’s Leadership
London Tube Trains Suspended After Major Fire Erupts Nearby
Richard Kemp: I Felt Safer in Israel Under Attack Than in the UK
Cyclist Says Police Cited Human Rights Act for Riding No-Handed
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Musk Battles to Protect Tesla Amid Trump Policy Threats
Air France-KLM Acquires Majority Stake in Scandinavian Airlines
UK Educators Sound Alarm on Declining Child Literacy
Shein Fined €40 Million in France Over Misleading Discounts
Brazil’s Lula Visits Kirchner During Argentina House Arrest
Trump Scores Legislative Win as House Passes Tax Reform Bill
Keir Starmer Faces Criticism After Rocky First Year in Power
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
×