Watching the beautiful relationship former Leeds Rhinos teammates and best mates Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow share is an honour and we can't and their remarkable journey together as motor neuron disease champions.
Although Rob is sadly immobile and can sadly no longer speak as a result of his condition, for the past few years Rhinos legend and England coach Kevin Sinfield has completed some seriously incredible feats for MND research.
Whether it's smashing out seven ultra-marathons in a week or running for 24 hours non-stop, he's achieved so many astonishing things on his behalf and on Sunday, Sinfield brought Burrow along for his latest effort, where everyone happened to be running in his name.
This weekend was the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, the first this city has seen for over two decades, where Kevin pushed Rob around for the full 26.2 miles in a specially designed wheelchair. However, when it came to the finish line, and his fellow Rhinos running alongside him had other ideas:
Kevin Sinfield carries Rob Burrow over the finish line at his first namesake marathon.
We simply can't stop crying watching this.
As you can see, Sinfield thought it only fitting to lift Burrow out of his wheelchair and carry him across the finish line of the marathon named after him in what was a truly emotional moment for the pair of them and everyone watching.
He literally helped him complete the marathon by giving him a kiss and a cuddle. If that doesn't sum up how special the connection between these two is then we don't know what does.
More than 12,500 runners ended up taking part — nearly 5,000 more than was initially scheduled, as so many simply wanted to come out and run in Rob's honour — with 40% never even having run a marathon before, including his wife Lindsey who said, "the reason I am doing it will get me to the finish line".
As for Sinfield, speaking after it was all said and done, the 42-year-old thanked everyone who turned up and helped "create something so incredible in Rob's name". It's clear that their connection is one that has resonated with millions across the UK.
Prior to setting off, he went on to say, "It doesn’t matter how long it takes. The longer it takes, the more time I get to spend with him... Today is a celebration of friendship".
All told, Sinfield has now raised over £8 million for the Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA) and other related charities, running countless miles in the process, so giving his best mate and inspiration a hug on the way over the finish line looked easy in comparison. What a legend.
The route starting and ending at Headingly Stadium proved so popular that next year's Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon has already been confirmed and we couldn't be prouder of everyone who participated in this wonderful cause.
You can donate to the MNDA and do your bit to help people like Rob HERE.
Andy Burnham has said that he wants to scrap the 'unfair' ban on fans getting to drink alcohol in football stands.
It's a ban that's been in place in the top five tiers of men's football since 1985, when fears over violence and hooliganism were at their height, but now the Prime Minister has raised the question of whether drinking in football stands - or 'drinking in sight / view of the pitch', as it's known formally - is actually unjust, due to the fact that same rules don't apply to fans of other sports.
"I don't think it's fair for football fans to be singled out in that way," Andy Burnham has declared this week, grabbing headlines in the process.
He continued: "I think that legislation dates to an era where football was very different, and I do believe there is a case to remove that discrimination.
"I'm not going to back away from what's been a long-held view of mine. I don't see how it can be fair that some supporters of one sport can be treated differently."
The Prime Minister's comments have been met with mixed response.
Andy Burnham wants to scrap the 'unfair' ban on drinking alcohol in football stands / Credit: James Kirkup | Julia Nastogadka (via Unsplash)
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), for example, has very much welcomed the idea, saying that it 'totally agrees' the legislation is 'outdated' and 'deserves to be reviewed'.
Tom Greatrex, chair of the FSA, said in a statement: "The FSA has always argued that it’s unfair to criminalise football fans for having a pint while watching the match - especially since you can sit in the same seat drinking alcohol whilst watching an Oasis gig or rugby league."
However, on the flip side, the UK Football Policing Unit said it would be 'incredibly rash' to change the rules without proper consultation.
"Other sports simply don't see the violence and criminal behaviour from their supporters that football does, albeit a minority, with alcohol often playing a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour," it said in a statement on the matter.
The Prime Minister did state in his initial proposition though that 'there are different ways it could be done', hinting that it could be done 'on a trial basis' perhaps.
The English Football League (EFL) added that it would be 'receptive to discussions around reviewing current legislation and permitting alcoholic drinks within view of the pitch'.
No formal details on a review have been confirmed as of yet, so fans are encouraged to stay tuned for updates in due course.
Featured Image - Pexels
Sport
Kevin Sinfield will return to Leeds for his final 7 in 7 challenge in honour of Rob Burrow
Clementine Hall
Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge this month.
The former Leeds Rhinos captain will begin 7 in 7: The Grand Finale next Sunday 27 September.
Wondering what on earth that is? Allow us to fill you in.
Sinfield will be running an ultra-marathon every day for seven days, and this time it's across the north of England including a special stop off right here in Leeds.
Not only that, but the challenge will bring Sinfield back to some of the places that have played a huge part in his rugby league career.
The route will visit all 12 English Betfred Super League grounds, starting at Hull KR before travelling through Yorkshire and eventually crossing the Pennines towards Manchester where Sinfield is from.
Here in Leeds, we can expect Sinfield to arrive at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 30 September at 11:14am, before leaving towards Pudsey Civic Hall at 11:40am.
The challenge will then finish at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, where Sinfield will arrive ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Since the first annual challenge back in 2020, Kevin Sinfield and his team have raised over £11 million for the MND community with six charities set to benefit once again from this years fundraising.
It's an amazing challenge for an amazing cause, and you can donate and find out more about the challenge here.
Good luck Kevin and the team, we know you'll smash it.
Danny Jones -
15th May 2023 
