In memory of Rob Burrow, thousands of runners participated in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, marking the first marathon held since the rugby league star’s passing. The event aimed to raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND), which claimed Burrow’s life last June at the age of 41, after his diagnosis in 2019. Among the participants were Burrow’s wife Lindsey and his best friend Kevin Sinfield, who emphasized that they were running to honor their friend and raise awareness for MND.
The marathon began at Headingley Stadium, the home of the Leeds Rhinos, with more than 10,000 people joining the event. Sinfield expressed the importance of supporting one another, encouraging everyone to persevere and reach the finish line in honor of Rob Burrow. Lindsey Burrow, who recently completed the London Marathon, highlighted the tremendous support shown by the people of Leeds since her husband’s diagnosis and described the finish at Headingley Stadium as particularly special.
As the race progressed through various parts of the city, other participants shared their personal motivations for running. Paul Green, running in memory of his late wife who succumbed to MND in 2017, reflected on the emotional significance of the event. Additionally, Rob Tiffney, inspired by Burrow’s story, embarked on a 500-day challenge to run 5,000 miles and raise funds for the MND Association, surpassing his initial fundraising goal.
Amidst the bustling marathon atmosphere, runners like Jack Cummings and Katie Brown, who achieved the fastest male and female times respectively, marveled at the overwhelming support along the course. Sinfield, known for carrying Burrow over the finish line in a previous race, joined fellow runners Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Dave Spencer in completing the marathon, underscoring the sense of pride and accomplishment felt by all participants. Sinfield expressed his belief that Rob Burrow, witnessing the event from above, would be immensely proud of the collective efforts made in support of MND awareness
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