Photos: The amazing moment incredible Kevin Sinfield carries inspirational Rob Burrow over marathon finish line

James Gordon
Rob Burrow MBE and Kevin Sinfield OBE - PA

Rob Burrow MBE and Kevin Sinfield OBE are continuing the fight against MND

The legend of Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow knows no bounds as they displayed another extraordinary feat of endurance, commitment and above all friendship in Leeds on Sunday.

The inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon took place, starting and finishing at Headingley Stadium, where Sinfield and Burrow made their names as Super League stars.

More than 10,000 participants took part in the race, with Sinfield pushing Burrow from start to finish – before lifting him out of his specially designed wheelchair to carry him over the finish line.

BBC Breakfast shared a video of the moment they crossed the finish line.

Sinfield has raised more than £8m for Motor Neurone Disease charities since Burrow was diagnosed with the condition in late 2019.

That has included seven back-to-back ultra marathons, and a run of 101 miles in 24 hours.

A number of their former team-mates supported the event too, including Barrie McDermott, Matt Diskin and Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

More than £1m has already been raised from the marathon, being held by Leeds City Council in partnership with Jane Tomlinson’s Run for All charity.

Sinfield, 42, is now on the coaching staff of England rugby union, having had a stint with Premiership rugby side Leicester Tigers as defence coach.

He was awarded an OBE in 2021 for services to rugby league and charitable fundraising, to go with the MBE awarded to him in 2014. There have been numerous calls for him to be awarded a knighthood.

Prior to the race, Sinfield told BBC Radio Leeds: ““I did London three weeks ago and that was unbelievable, but today…it’s beat London. I know it’s not a competition, but the people of Leeds really came out and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The superlatives poured in on social media for both Sinfield and Burrow.

Clare Quilty: I reckon if Kevin Sinfield had played Rugby Union and not League he’d have been knighted long ago.

Razina: Aspire to be like Kevin Sinfield. Unbelievable human with unbelievable qualities

Steve Jarvis: In a world of bitterness and hate, this is inspiring and fantastic….hats off to Kevin Sinfield

David Grant: Everybody needs a friend like Kevin Sinfield. What a man.

Stevie Muir: A truly amazing friendship and an inspiration to others

Simon Leatherhead: What an absolute hero Kevin Sinfield is, you can’t not love and respect the man enough.

Julie Rae: In complete awe – this is so beautiful

Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey also completed the course, her first ever marathon, and was welcomed at the end by their children Macy, Maya and Jackson.

The marathon itself was won by Nathan Edmondson, who finished in two hours, 29 minutes and 14 seconds.

Photos Danny Lawson/PA Wire/PA Images

Super League Kevin Sinfield