Rob Burrow sends Kevin Sinfield message as he begins "crazy" 101-mile MND run
Rob Burrow has sent a good luck message to former team-mate and good friend Kevin Sinfield as he embarks on his latest gruelling physical challenge to raise money and awareness for those who are fighting against Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
The Leeds Rhinos legend completed seven marathons in as many days last year, raising £2.7m in the process.
He has already smashed his initial £100,000 target for his latest challenge, which he began on Monday morning, as he looks to continue to raise vital money for MND research.
Sinfield is attempting to run 101 miles in just 24 hours, starting from Welford Road, where he coaches for Leicester Tigers, and is aiming to finish at Rhinos' Headingley Stadium by 8am on Tuesday.
Every 60 minutes, he must complete a 7km section of his route – a number which takes inspiration from the shirt Burrow used to wear in his playing days.
Among those who turned out to see him start his gruelling effort on a chilly morning were Tigers players, members of the Coldstream Guards and a swathe of other well-wishers.
And Burrow sent his love and support on social media as he promised to meet his old friend at the end of his challenge.
"Just wanted to wish my mate Kev all the luck in the world with his next crazy challenge," he wrote on Twitter.
"You know he is a good one when he is prepared to put his body and well being on the line again for his little mate. Go careful mate and see you at the finish line x."
Ahead of his challenge, Sinfield said he was putting himself through such a painful process to reflect what MND sufferers have to fight through every day.
"That’s a big message in this – Rob is going through some bits now and it’s uncertain each day when he wakes up, it’s a little bit worse than the one before," he said.
"He's not sure what the journey is going to be like for him and where it’s going to take him, and we’re in the same boat on Monday.
"Yes we don’t have MND but we’re going into a pretty dark place that we’re not sure what nasty things await us. We’re prepared to go in there – Rob thinks it’s hilarious and that’s great.
"We’re doing this for him and everybody else in the UK that is challenged by MND, every family member. I think seeing other people willing to go to those dark places is pretty powerful and we’ll give it our best shot."
Sinfield will be joined by a host of guest runners along his route, and will be supported by a physio, nutritionist and sports scientist, four cyclists and friends David Spencer and Chris Stephenson, who also hope to complete the full 101 miles.
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