Rob Burrow's widow Lindsey has pledged to carry the spirit of when she runs the for the first time in April.

Rugby league ace Rob . The Leeds Rhinos star was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019, two years after his retirement, and helped raise millions for charity.

Many of his fundraising efforts came with the support of friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield. The pair joined forces for the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, with .

Construction has begun on the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds, which . Before then, though, Lindsey will take to the start line in London as she prepares to run in support of Leeds Charity and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.

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“Running the London Marathon after losing my husband, Rob, to motor neurone disease is not just a physical challenge; it's a deeply personal journey of love, loss, and resilience," Lindsey said. “As I lace up my shoes, I carry with me the spirit of my beloved husband, Rob.

"His strength in the face of MND inspires me to push beyond my limits and find purpose in the midst of loss. This marathon represents not only a tribute to his incredible fight but also a celebration of the love we shared and the memories we created.

“Each mile I run is a testament to his enduring legacy, a reminder that even in the darkest times, we can find purpose and hope. I am running for him; for all those affected by this disease; and for the belief that together, we can make a difference.”

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In an interview with This Morning in February, . She spoke of the impact it had on children Macy, Maya and Jackson, with Rob's two daughters saying some words at the ceremony.

"I think the grace and the courage for the girls to stand up at the funeral and speak about their dad and what he meant to them… I felt so proud at that moment," she said. "I hope in years to come they look back and think, ‘I did my dad proud’, because he would have been watching down on them, I’m sure. Rob wanted us to be happy and we're determined to keep that promise and continue to make him happy,”

Other runners at the 2024 London Marathon include Flora Turnbull, daughter of , who is running in support of Prostate Cancer UK. "I want to ensure that everyone can keep their dads, partners, brothers, sons, grandads, uncles, and friends around as long as possible,” she said, sharing her thanks to those who offered messages of support after her father's death in 2022.