We all need each other more than ever now
SAINT SINFIELD’S MARATHON EFFORT
IT’S the morning after the night before and Kevin Sinfield feels guilty because he hasn’t gone in to work.
The Super League legend is director of rugby at Leeds Rhinos, the club he led to unprecedented success during a long and glittering playing career.
He has responsibilities off the pitch now, which include leading the Rhinos through much more difficult and troubling times due to the current crisis that is threatening the future of his own sport and many others.
It speaks volumes for the man that he feels bad about not being at his desk at Headingley. But Sinfield, 39, can be forgiven. He has a decent excuse.
Less than 24 hours earlier he had taken it upon himself to run a solo marathon around the hills of Saddleworth where he lives to raise money and awareness for his big pal and former team-mate Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease
(MND) in December.
Sinfield planned the route himself, completed it in his best-ever time and has raised almost £10,000. But, like he is at pains to point out, his remarkable gesture was about much more than money.
It was an act of kindness we can all learn from in these difficult times. It was about him thinking of someone else. It was about him being a friend during a period when we all need plenty.
He said: “It wasn’t until Wednesday that I said to my wife (Jayne), ‘I might do a marathon on Sunday.’ She thought I was crazy.
“But I spoke to the club and we thought it was a good idea, to get some support for it and get some awareness out there for Rob.
“There is a lot of drive and support there for Rob. I feel good about it. People who came out and saw me running on Sunday, hopefully they will be thinking about their loved ones and, despite this self-isolation, putting their trainers on to do something, even if it’s just walking round the garden. Doing something in the garage even.
“There are vulnerable people in society at this moment in time and Rob is right in the middle of this with having MND.
“So it was more about raising awareness, and for those people with cancer, lung problems, asthmatics, the elderly. Just for us all to spare a thought for these people really.”
Sinfield has become a beacon of light to people like Burrow, and will continue to be so during the inevitable dark days ahead.
So much so that he wants to turn his solo marathon into a permanent one.
The
Saddleworth
Marathon would be staged for everyone, continue to raise cash and awareness for MND and provide a legacy both Sinfield and Burrow can be proud of.
Sinfield, who did it alone because the Manchester Marathon got cancelled, added: “It was my seventh marathon. Rob played No.7, so I set off at 7am.
“It’s quite funny, I’ve always wanted to run one round here, where I grew up. I’ve spoken to a few local people about doing one in Saddleworth, so hopefully now it has got some traction – so who knows?
“It would be great if we could make it an annual thing.”
Sinfield remains in regular contact with Burrow and admits seeing his lifelong mate suffer has been hard to accept.
He added: “We’ve all been bowled over by the support for Rob. The lads who played with him will know, he’s an absolute legend. A lovely man, a real gentleman and family guy.
“For someone to do and achieve what he did with his size was remarkable in our sport.
“You also know Rob would do the same thing for us. I’ve no doubt, if I was in Rob’s predicament, he would be out there running for me. It’s tough at times, but Rob has kept his humour. He’s very funny. He makes me laugh every time I see or speak to him.”