Rugby league fan to do seven triathlons in seven days in name of Rob Burrow

RUGBY league fan Martyn Clarke is ready to go on the run and his bike, while also getting wet in the name of a player that often ended his hopes, Rob Burrow.

And the Wigan supporter can class himself as dual code as he is being backed by Leeds Rhinos and Sale Sharks in his attempt to do seven half iron man triathlons in seven days.

Martyn will swim 1.2 miles, cycle 56 miles then run a half marathon, lasting seven or eight hours – and repeat every day for a week while raising funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

After seeing Burrow’s story, work colleagues and Team GB swimmer Hector Pardoe, former athlete Jenny Meadows and maybe Olympic silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson will also do legs.

The new 7 in 7 challenge is inspired by Kevin Sinfield’s efforts as he raised close to £5 million to help Burrow and those living with MND.

After running alongside him for part of his 101-mile 'The Extra Mile' trek from Leeds to Leicester, that only spurred him on ahead of tomorrow’s start date.

And even though Burrow was a thorn in his side, there is no better reason to put himself through it.

Martyn said: “I used to sit in the Wigan end with my lad and watched them at Grand Finals and the Challenge Cup semi-final.

“Rob was running around everyone and we just couldn’t get hold of him.

“Then I met him and his family and we were chatting away. It’s tragic what’s happening and he’s the reason I’m doing it.”