The Prince of Wales turned down the chance to join Sir Kevin Sinfield on his marathon fundraising trek, saying he 'can't do Lycra'.
William and his wife Kate surprised Sir Kevin at the end of his third ultra marathon in three days, held 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 while speaking to supporters.
Royal praise for Sir Kevin
Sir Kevin 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."
"It's been very special to watch," said William, though he admitted he was 'dreading' getting a call from the super-fit runner asking him to join him. When Sir Kevin invited him, the royal joked: "I can't hear you! I can't do Lycra. That's my line."
Seventh and final challenge
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."
Sir Kevin, 46, is running his seventh multi-marathon challenge since his Leeds Rhino teammate 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 around 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. This year will be his seventh and final challenge, matching the No7 pal Rob wore on his shirts.
Family support and royal encounter
His efforts were rewarded with a knighthood in the King's birthday honours in June, though 'humbled' Kevin admitted he will never get used 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 Kevin 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."
