Rob Burrow has said his charity marathon is about friendship, community spirit and helping others to achieve their goals.
The message was read on behalf of Rob by an announcer at the start of the inaugural Rob Burrow Marathon in Leeds today. The run in honour of the ex-Rhino and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner is expected to raise thousands for the MND Association and a Leeds hospitals charity which is hoping to build a Rob Burrow Centre for MND.
Rob will taking part in a wheelchair pushed by his old Rhinos teammate and MND super fundraiser Kevin Sinfield. Kevin has raised millions for MND in honour of his friend Rob who was diagnosed with MND in 2019.
Read more: More than 100 faces from the Rob Burrow Marathon 2023
As approximately 15,000 runners lined up at the start-finish line at Headingley Stadium, the announcer read out a message from Rob over the PA system.
It said: "This event for me is about friendship and community spirit, helping each other to achieve goals. I want to express a heartfelt thank you to all the Leeds rugby family that have all worked tirelessly to make this amazing event happen. Thank you so much.
"All that is left for me to say is the very best of luck. Enjoy the day and I look forward to seeing you cross the finish line at Headingley Stadium."
The route will take in Woodhouse Moor, West Park, Adel, Bramhope, Lawnswood, Pool in Wharfedale and Otley. You can follow the Rob Burrow Marathon and half-marathon live on our blog.
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