Kevin Sinfield breaks marathon PB as he runs solo in aid of pal Rob Burrow
RUGBY league legend Kevin Sinfield has put in a marathon effort for pal Rob Burrow while the game is on shutdown.
And the former Leeds and England star admitted he is feeling ‘good’ after literally running up hill and down dale and raising thousands of pounds to help research into motor neurone disease after his former team-mate was diagnosed with the condition.
The Rhinos’ director of rugby decided to run a marathon around his home area of Saddleworth, Greater Manchester, after the Manchester Marathon was cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Even though the course was far, far hillier than the one he would have completed, Sinfield still managed to do the 26.2 miles in a personal best time of three hours 18 minutes!
The 39-year-old started pounded the streets at 7am yesterday, taking him through the villages of Greenfield, Uppermill, Dobcross, Delph and Grasscroft, as well as the neighbouring town of Mossley.
And after raising more than £6,000 at short notice for both the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, Sinfield said: “I’m good actually.
“I loved it. It was a brilliant day to run.
“After all those mornings of running in the cold and wet – the Saddleworth gods looked after me!”
And Burrow paid tribute, saying: “Thank you so much for this. Means the absolute world.”
Sinfield’s marathon was not the only thing Super League figures did as the sport is shelved.
For Warrington stars Ben Murdoch-Masila and Leilani Latu guided their team through the match at Hull KR, which should have been played yesterday.
The powerhouse pair swapped tackling for tapping as they took the controllers for a ‘virtual’ match played on a video game.
YOU can donate to Sinfield’s marathon effort HERE.