Lindsey Burrow Runs London Marathon, Carrying Rob Burrow’s Legacy and MND Fight Forward
Lindsey Burrow's Marathon Run: A New Chapter in Rob Burrow's Story
The London Marathon is always packed with stories about determination, but this year, Lindsey Burrow’s journey stood out. You might remember her late husband, Rob Burrow—the Leeds Rhinos legend whose name keeps coming up when people talk about rugby greatness and relentless courage. Rob’s career was the stuff of Yorkshire folklore: 492 matches, eight Grand Final rings, and flashes of brilliance, like his unforgettable 2011 try against St Helens that still gives fans chills.
But Rob wasn’t just a star on the pitch. When he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019, he swapped trophies for tireless advocacy. Instead of fading quietly, he brought national attention to the mystery and cruelty of MND. Rob’s fight inspired donations, new research, and hope for families who felt invisible. He collected the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in 2022—recognition that him running out at Headingley was only half the story.
Rob passed away in 2024 at just 41. Through the heartbreak, Lindsey stepped right up. She didn’t just grieve—she laced up her trainers, signed up for one of the world’s biggest races, and turned a personal battle into a public campaign. The 2025 London Marathon wasn’t just 26.2 miles for her; it was one long, steady shout for Rob’s memory and for everyone affected by MND.
Family, Fundraising and a Cause That Won’t Let Go
Lindsey didn’t take this journey alone. Rob and Lindsey have three children—Macy, Maya, and Jackson—who’ve grown up watching their parents turn pain into purpose. The Burrow family’s resilience has struck a chord far beyond rugby or Yorkshire; people see them not just as sports figures, but as ordinary folk showing what it really means to keep going when life doesn’t play fair.
With every step on the marathon course, Lindsey raised money for MND research. She pushed the cause that Rob championed, determined to change the odds for families handed the same devastating diagnosis. Supporters lined the route, some wearing Rhinos shirts, others holding up placards with Rob’s trademark smile. People tracked Lindsey’s progress online, chipping in donations, leaving messages of support, and sharing stories of how Rob’s public fight for MND awareness made them feel less alone in their own struggles.
What sets this fundraising apart is its personal edge. Lindsey is building on Rob’s vision—not just to fund research, but to make MND something people talk about, fight against, and one day, beat. The marathon was just the latest in what promises to be a series of efforts to keep that vision alive. Rob isn’t making headline tackles anymore, but his reach is wider than ever.
Lindsey’s run is proof that legacies don’t end when someone is gone. Sometimes, they get even louder, picking up more supporters every mile along the way.