Prince of Wales rejects probability to run with Sir Kevin Sinfield as he ‘can’t do Lycra’
Wills and wife Kate surprised Kev at the end of his third ultra marathon in three days to raise cash to find cure for motor neurone disease – but Prince was running scared of running
William and Kate pose with Sir Kevin and his team after the third day of his challenge at the home of Wakefield Trinity(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
The Prince of Wales turned down the chance to join Sir Kevin Sinfield on his marathon fundraising trek – saying he ‘can’t do Lycra’.
Wills and wife Kate surprised Kev at the end of his third ultra marathon in three days to raise cash to find a cure for motor neurone disease. In emotional scenes in Wakefield the Royal couple watched as the rugby knight welled up speaking to supporters.
He told the Prince and Princess: “To have you here today is incredible and brings real credibility and awareness to the MND community.”
The pair told him he was ‘so inspiring’ with the Princess adding: “Well done you.”
William and Kate with Rob Burrow’s children Macy, Maya and Jackson(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
“It’s been very special to watch,” said Wills – though he admitted he was ‘dreading’ getting a call from the super fit runner asking him to join him.
When Kev invited him the Royal joked: “I can’t hear you!
“I can’t do Lycra. That’s my line.”
Hearing how the star had been dreaming of an ice bath throughout Tuesday’s run the Prince told him: “Make sure you hold together for another few days.
“We’re all thinking of Rob all the time. It’s been very special to watch.”
Kev, 46, is running his seventh multi-marathon challenge since his Leeds Rhino team mate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with the degenerative nerve condition in 2019.
He famously carried his pal over the Leeds Marathon finishing line in 2023 after pushing him in a specially-adapted wheelchair round the 26.2 mile course.
Rob died the following year aged 41.
Kevin’s running has so far raised nearly £12m to find a cure for the condition of which there are around 8,000 sufferers in the UK.
The Prince and Princess of Wales surprise Sir Kevin Sinfield (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
This year will be Kevin’s seventh and final challenge – matching the No7 pal Rob wore on his shirts.
His efforts were rewarded with a knighthood in the King’s birthday honours in June – though ‘humbled’ Kev admitted he will never get use to folk calling him ‘sir’.
Burrow’s three children Macy, Maya and Jackson and mum Irene were there to watch him finish the third leg of his challenge.
Irene greeted the star – now an England rugby union coach – with a hug.
Seven-year-old Jackson scored in a charity rugby match on Tuesday and Kev pointed at him and shouted: “I saw your try!”
The marathon man had tried to rope the Princess Royal into running with him the day before when he met her in York.
“Fun run is a contradiction in terms,” said the Princess, adding: “I will stick to horses.”
