Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield passes the £1m mark with seven marathons in seven days for MND
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Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield has raised over £1million by running seven marathons in seven days for his friend Rob Burrow.
Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last December after Sinfield encouraged him to visit a doctor about slurred speech.
Sinfield has said that he has felt emotional throughout his challenge and said he was ‘blown away’ when he raised half a million. His initial target was £77,777 – partly in tribute to Burrow’s old No 7 shirt.
Kevin Sinfield pictured on his final marathon on Monday as he bids to raise money and awareness for the fight against MND after his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the disease
Sinfield was greeted by his friend and old team-mate Burrow at Headingley Stadium after he finished his fifth marathon on Saturday
Sinfield completed his final marathon shortly before midday on Monday was an impressive time of three hours and 41 minutes.
At the end of his sixth run on Sunday, Sinfield admitted he was starting to feel the pain.
‘It was the toughest day by a long stretch,’ Sinfield told Sky Sports. ‘I think mentally, to know that you’re close and physically it was really difficult, that one.
‘It’s not just the time you’re running, it’s the next 20 hours trying to fix yourself back up. I’ll be delighted to finish up in style on Sunday.’
Burrow greeted Sinfield at Headingley Stadium on Saturday, after he finished his fifth marathon.
Upon seeing his friend, Sinfield said: ‘When I ran into Headingley and I saw him, I didn’t stop straight away because I would have been a mess.
‘I had a minute to gather myself but for him to be here was really, really special.’
Speaking to Sportsmail in November, Sinfield said: ‘It will be the toughest thing I’ve ever done. It will be a huge mental challenge for me but I am looking forward to the battle.
‘I am going to spend that much time out on the road, I want to try and think of the good times I had with Rob.
‘I want to enjoy it so I will try and remember how funny he is, some of the jokes and daft pranks he played on people, rather than it all being quite dark and sad.’
Former Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year
Sinfield has described his friendship with Burrow as ‘an unbreakable bond’.
They last played together five years ago, winning the 2015 Super League Grand Final in their last match together.
Sinfield outlined to Sportsmail that his target was to raise £77,777 by running the seven marathons. But he has smashed that target and on Monday, the day of his final run, he broke the £1m mark on his Just Giving page.
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