Rob Burrow pays tribute to teammate Kevin Sinfield as he takes on his fourth multiple marathon fundraiser and says ‘Kev is still my captain’

• Kevin will run seven marathons in seven days in seven cities from December 1
• READ MORE: Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow tell how MND brought them closer 

Rugby league legend Rob Burrow has praised his friendship with his former captain Kevin Sinfield – who is set to embark on his fourth multiple-marathon endurance challenge for charity. 

Rob, 40, who played for Leeds Rhinos rugby league club, has tirelessly campaigned for awareness of motor neurone disease (MND) after his diagnosis in late 2019 – when he was given just two years to live.

In honour of his friend, Kevin, 43, has undertaken a series of epic endurance challenges, raising £13million for MND charities. First he ran seven marathons – more than 180 miles – in seven days. Then, in 2021, he ran 101 miles in just 24 hours and last year he ran seven ultra-marathons in seven days, clocking up 37 miles a day for a week. 

And now, Kevin has announced it is time to ‘go again’ for a fourth challenge, in which he will run seven marathons in seven days across seven cities. This year, each marathon will have an extra mile added on at the end which he hopes members of the public can join him on. 

‘Kev was my captain and he still is my captain,’ Rob told BBC Breakfast this morning in a message recorded using an Eyegaze machine – a device which translates blinks into letters, then builds them into words.

‘Kev was my captain and he always will be my captain,’ Rob told BBC Breakfast this morning in a message recorded using an Eyeaze machine. He was joined by Kevin and his wife Lindsey

Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield cross the finish line of the 2023 Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon which started and finished at Headingley Stadium, Leeds, in May 

‘We played together for years,’ said Rob. ‘We sat next to each other in the dressing room. We went through the highs and lows of rugby league. 

‘The highs were amazing but he always looked after us and here he is now still look after us all.’

Kevin said: ‘This has all been about friendship and trying to help a mate and hopefully that’s come across.

He added: ‘We want people to see what friends can do for each other and should do for each other.’

Rob and Kevin have been friends since they were just 14 and 12. They met while training with Leeds Rhinos juniors.  

READ MORE: Millions wept when rugby hardman Kevin Sinfield carried his old teammate Rob Burrow over a marathon finish line. Now, in an interview that’ll break your heart all over again, the pair tell how Rob’s motor neurone disease has strengthened their bond of love 

England rugby union coach Kevin’s upcoming ‘7-in-7-in-7’ challenge will begin on December 1 – three years to the day since his first undertaking in support of beloved friend Rob. 

The event will raise funds for five charities which support and care for people affected by MND and their families, and invest in research into effective treatments and finding a cure for the disease. 

Kevin and the team will start from AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, the home of Rob and Kevin’s team Leeds Rhinos, for the first leg of the journey. 

They will then run ultra marathons in Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Dublin and Brighton – before finishing the challenge on Thursday 7 at the Mall, the traditional finish of the world famous London Marathon. 

‘I’ve met a lot of friends in the MND community and I’ve said it a lot of times now but it is a beautiful community and MND affects the best people,’ Kevin said. 

‘To be able to represent them with our team and go out and hopefully raise some money and some awareness again and keep banging the drum, because we’ve got to find a cure.’

Kevin and Rob (pictured in 2011) met when they were just 14 and 12 and training with Leeds Rhinos juniors

Rob, 40, has tirelessly campaigned for awareness of motor neurone disease (MND) after his diagnosis in late 2019 – when he was given just two years to live

Kevin’s seven-in-seven-in-seven challenge will begin on December 1 – three years to the day since his first marathon in support of his beloved friend Rob

The marathon started and finished at Headingley Stadium in Leeds

Kevin said they decided to run in the south of England for the first time this year as there are large numbers of people being diagnosed with MND there. 

He said the same for Ireland – where there are currently 550 people living with the disease. 

When asked how he is able to undertake yet another gruelling challenge he said: ‘There are 100 reasons why we shouldn’t go again but there’s 5,000 reasons why we should and the big reason is sat right there [gestures to Rob].’

WHAT IS MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE? 

Motor neurone disease is a rare condition that mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s, but it can affect adults of all ages.

It’s caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones. These cells gradually stop working over time. It’s not known why this happens.

Having a close relative with motor neurone disease, or a related condition called frontotemporal dementia, can sometimes mean you’re more likely to get it. But it doesn’t run in families in most cases.

Early symptoms can include weakness in your ankle or leg, like finding it hard to walk upstairs; slurred speech, finding it hard to swallow, a weak grip, and gradual weight loss

If you have these sympthoms, you should see a GP. They will consider other possible conditions and can refer you to a specialist called a neurologist if necessary.

If a close relative has motor neurone disease or frontotemporal dementia and you’re worried you may be at risk of it – they may refer you to a genetic counsellor to talk about your risk and any tests you can have

Source: NHS UK 

To ‘shift the dial on MND’, Kevin said money is what is needed most of all – to support families and provide equipment such as the Eyegaze ‘so people can still communicate and be in the room’.

The pair were joined for the interview by Rob’s wife Lindsey – with whom he shares two daughters, Maya, eight, and Macy, 11, and a son called Jackson.

She said: ‘I think it’s just incredible. I think what Kev’s done, what he’s put his body through not just physically but mentally as well. You know time away from his family to do this, not just for Rob but the whole MND community, is just incredible.’

In May, Rob was carried across the finish line at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon by Kevin – in a moment which made millions tear up.

Rob was pushed around the 26-mile course in a specially-adapted wheelchair so he could join 12,500 other runners in the first Leeds marathon in 20 years.

Former Scotland and Lions rugby player Doddie Weir, who died aged 52 last November after a six-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease, began the campaign for greater research and funding following his diagnosis in 2016.

This morning Kevin said: ‘Up until sort of four or five years ago when Doddie started the campaign, families [of those affected by MND] across the UK and the world had been ravaged and almost swept under the carpet. 

‘We want to highlight that these are incredible people and celebrate their lives too. You know and look after people properly.’

Rob credited Doddie for teaching him to ‘live each day to its fullest’.

‘Since I was diagnosed with motor neuron disease I wanted to help other families like mine and show them what it is like living with the disease,’ he said. 

‘Hopefully my story has given others living with MND hope.’ 

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