‘Special’ moment Rob Burrow carried over finishing line

People were moved to tears recently by the sight of former Leeds Rhinos Captain Kevin Sinfleild carrying his friend, and former teammate, Rob Burrow over the finish line of the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, named in his honour.

Ex-rugby league player Rob, 40, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease four years ago and since then, has worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness of the condition.

His friend 42-year-old Kevin pushed him around the 26.2 mile course in a specially adapted wheelchair.

But as they approached the end, in what has now become a viral image, Kevin lifted his friend into his arms and carried him across the finish line, dropping his head to kiss him gently on the neck.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Kevin recalled it as a “special moment”.

“It was a really special moment for both of us,” he reflected.

“Everything we’ve done has been built around friendship and I think it was a great symbol of that.

“You know how much I love him and care about him and his fight and inspiration has been incredible,” he continued.

“For him to be part of that marathon, which I knew how important it was for him, was special for both of us,” he intimated.

Acknowledging that the venture wasn’t without its challenges Kevin admitted that he was “pretty tired” by the time they crossed the finish line.

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He also explained some of the logistics involved in completing the impressive feat.

“We’d planned four stops throughout the marathon so we could check in with Rob and make sure that everything was alright,” he explained.

“And when you’re trying to communicate without his eye gaze it can be quite tough, so we worked off smiles. A smile meant yes. No smiles meant no,” he explained.

“And we had 28 minutes of stops which meant a fair bit of getting him out of the chair trying to stretch him and make him feel more comfortable.

“So it was a challenge for him and I think he absolutely deserved that medal in the end.”

Kevin has been a constant support to his friend and has raised more than £8 million for MND charities.

That Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon added another £4 million to that total.

Rob received his cruel diagnosis just two years after ending his playing career and has openly spoken about his battle with the condition, which targets the nervous system and progressively worsens as time goes on.

As detailed by the Motor Neurone Association, he is quoted as poignantly saying: “First it comes for your voice. Then it takes your legs. It tries to rob you of your breath. But it can’t sap your spirit.”

BBC Breakfast is on BBC One each morning from 6am.

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