Leeds Rhinos' Kevin Sinfield tops £700k as he finishes penultimate marathon for Rob Burrow and MND

The total for Kevin Sinfield's fundraiser topped £700,000 on the day he completed the penultimate marathon for his friend Rob Burrow and the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.
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The Leeds Rhinos legend and director of rugby finished his sixth marathon in three hours and 48 minutes on Sunday morning.

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His final marathon tomorrow in Saddleworth will be his seventh in seven days.

All so far have been completed in under four hours.

Speaking after Sunday's effort, Sinfield told of the "immense" support he has been given by the city of Leeds, including from firefighters at Kirkstall Road.

Sinfield said: "If you'd had said this to me five weeks ago when we started to put this together, that we'd be six days in and have hit all the times, I'd have been absolutely made up.

"The support we've had has been incredible. With the JustGiving page, we were absolutely made up with £77,000 - for it to do what it's done has been unbelievable.

Rob Burrow greets Kevin Sinfield at the finish line at Headingley Stadium (photo: Leeds Rhinos).Rob Burrow greets Kevin Sinfield at the finish line at Headingley Stadium (photo: Leeds Rhinos).
Rob Burrow greets Kevin Sinfield at the finish line at Headingley Stadium (photo: Leeds Rhinos).
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"It's been so special - it's been one of the best weeks of my life."

Burrow and his family surprised Sir Kev by appearing on the route on Saturday, by the mural painted in Burrow's honour in Leeds city centre.Sinfield said: "There's been some really, really emotional moments. Seeing Rob down at the mural, it was just a big surprise, and then to see him yesterday and get to give him a cuddle was brilliant.

"For Rob and Lindsey and the kids to be here yesterday was really great.

"I think to understand what people think about them as a family right across the country is really important.

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"For the MND association - to be able to bring the awareness and the funds that people have kindly donated in such a rough year, has been immense for all us, we are incredibly touched.

"We feel like we have just got into the grand final. We won the semi final today - we're looking forward to tomorrow, it's going to be a really good day.

"Today, we were tired. It has been really challenging, physically and mentally. Today has probably been the hardest day."

Sinfield was joined in his efforts across the weekend by former team mates Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Jamie Peacock, as well as current Leeds Rhinos captain Luke Gale.

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Sinfield added: "It's been two really special days for me and Leeds.

"The support's been immense. I've really enjoyed running around Leeds. I love the city, so it's been brill."

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