A documentary about Kevin Sinfield's charity ultramarathons for his former teammate Rob Burrow has had viewers tearing up within minutes.
Kevin Sinfield: Going the Extra Mile follows the former Leeds Rhinos loose forward as he runs a series of marathons and ultramarathons to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND) charities. Kevin, who scored 86 tries for Leeds, took up the challenge out of love for his former Rhinos teammate Rob who was diagnosed with MND in 2019.
And the powerful documentary on BBC2 tonight (Friday) had viewers welling up almost for the kick-off.
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Jim Blackwood tweeted: "Two minutes into Kevin Sinfield and I’m gone [crying]. That is true friendship."
Samantha Malin said: "The show about Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrows is going to do me in. Everyone deserves a friend like Kevin. Almost no one has a friend this incredible."
James tweeted: "I'm not one for crying but five minutes in and I'm tearing up."
And David Ireland added: "What a much better place this country would be if there were more people like Kevin Sinfield. I'm pretty sure if you look up inspiration in the dictionary you'll find a picture of him."
Kevin, 42, began his challenge to run seven marathons in seven consecutive days in honour of Rob who wore the number seven shirt for Leeds, ending December 7, 2020. But Kevin, who was awarded an OBE in 2021 for his services to rugby league and charity, continued the challenge in November 2021 running 104 miles from Leicester Tigers where he coaches to the Rhinos' Headingley Stadium, Leeds.
And in November 2022, Kevin upped the challenge and ran seven ultramarathons in seven days running from Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh to Old Trafford, Manchester, during the Rugby League World Cup. Kevin, who also ran for the late rugby player Doddie Weir and the former footballer Stephen Darby, both of whom were diagnosed with MND, has so far raised £7m for MND charities.
MND causes the gradual breakdown of the nervous system leading to muscle wastage and immobility. There's more information about MND on the MND Association website.
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