Rugby league legend and England coach Kevin Sinfield has spoken for the first time about the incredible moment he carried his former teammate Rob Burrow across the finish line at the Leeds Marathon earlier this month.
The 42-year-old pushed Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019, around the 26.2-mile course in a wheelchair as part of his latest fundraising efforts, which have seen him raise more than £8million for MND charities. When they reached the finish line, Sinfield lifted his former Leeds Rhino teammate out of the chair and across the line in his arms.
The hugely emotional moment soon went viral and the two friends have described it as "beautiful," with Burrow admitting that the memory of it "will live with me forever".
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Appearing on ITV's This Morning on Wednesday with Burrow and his wife Lindsey, England's rugby union defence coach Sinfield opened up on the "special" day which saw 12,500 people run in the first-ever Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.
"It was an incredible day where we raised a lot of money for all different charities across the UK, in particular two big MND charities," he said. "Lindsey ran it and did incredible, while I was able to push Rob around in a specially designed chair. It's the first time we’ve been able to do a big event together and we both absolutely loved it."
However, the rugby league legend also admitted that the hot weather on the day of the event meant that the big finishing moment everybody saw wasn't planned to unfold that way.
"Because the marathon was built on friendship, we wanted a nice moment to finish and the plan was to get Rob out of the chair, and I suppose get some weight through his feet, but we realised during the marathon that it had taken its toll on all of us," Sinfield said. "It was a really hot day and Rob got uncomfortable at times in the chair as well - it was the first time we’d gone that distance and that meant we had to get him out of the chair a fair bit, but actually I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“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.”
Appearing on the show from his home in West Yorkshire, Burrow said the marathon was "one of the most important and special" events he had been involved in since his diagnosis, when he was given a life expectancy of two years from diagnosis.
MND affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness which worsens over time. There is no cure, only treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a patient.
"It meant so many things to so many people," he said. "But for me, it was about friendship and crossing the finish line with my mate Kev will live with me forever. It created a platform to raise funds and awareness for MND charities, and I hope that the next one is as memorable.”
His wife and carer Lindsey spoke fondly of the former teammates' relationship, telling This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle how Sinfield had provided a source of strength for her husband as he lives with the debilitating condition.
"They are an example of true friendship," she said. "Kev’s been there from day one with Rob and I think Rob would’ve found it quite tough without Rob’s friendship, and that image of them crossing the line kind of symbolises that friendship. Kev is such a role model to us all. He’s so inspirational and what he’s done for Rob has just been incredible. Everybody needs a friend like Kev and we’re just so grateful for the friendship and support that he has given.”
Asked if he had any plans for further fundraising efforts ahead of this year's Rugby World Cup, Sinfield said he would never stop raising money for MND charities, having been stunned by the strength and resilience of those he had met living with the disease.
"These are the toughest people you’ll ever meet," he said. "The people I meet who have got MND are so tough and have such humour, they are the best of us. 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, it will continue. I’d love to think we’d go again.”
However, despite being "blown away" by the amount of money which has been raised in his name, as well as the support he has received from across the sporting world and beyond since his diagnosis three years ago, Burrow cheekily added that he had "retired from marathons", leaving future fundraising plans in his former teammate's hands.
“I’ve officially retired from marathons," he remarked. "So it depends what Kevin has in mind! I know he has an amazing team with him and it depends what's in his head. I'm sorry to say I won’t be involved but good luck to them!"
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