Sir Kevin Sinfield is preparing for his seventh and final annual fundraising challenge to support motor neurone disease (MND) research, a cause close to his heart since the diagnosis and subsequent death of his close friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow. The 46-year-old rugby league legend will undertake the "7 in 7: The Grand Finale" challenge from September 27 to October 3, running seven ultramarathons across the 12 English Betfred Super League grounds.
Sinfield’s final campaign will culminate with a run finishing on the pitch at Old Trafford in Manchester ahead of the Super League Grand Final. Each day, he will run more than 30 miles broken into roughly 7-kilometer blocks that must be completed within an hour. The fifth day’s route includes crossing the Pennines and visits to Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards, while the final day starts in St Helens, calls at Warrington Wolves, and ends in Manchester.
A distinctive feature of the challenge is that Sinfield will run one mile each day alongside people affected by MND, reinforcing the personal nature of the event and the links formed between the rugby community and families facing the neurodegenerative illness. Burrow, who lived with MND for over four years, passed away in 2024 at the age of 41, a loss that continues to motivate Sinfield’s efforts.
Over the past six years, Sinfield’s fundraising has generated £11 million for MND-related causes, a remarkable achievement for someone who admits he is not a natural runner. Speaking about his mental approach to the intense physical challenge, Sinfield credits dreaming of a EuroMillions lottery win—imagining a cure for MND funded by the prize money—as a source of distraction and hope during the demanding runs.
Reflecting on his preparations, Sinfield noted that maintaining fitness and being smart about his conditioning is critical as he approaches the challenge, especially given his age. He emphasized the broader purpose behind his efforts: finding a cure remains the ultimate goal, but immediate support for families affected by MND is also crucial, highlighting the long-standing gap in resources and care.
Sinfield underscored the importance of raising awareness, which he believes makes a significant difference in understanding the disease and mobilizing support. He praised the unity and compassion shown by communities at previous stops on his runs, which have brought together those affected by MND and those who want to help.
Looking ahead, Sinfield indicated he has plans to participate in one more charity event abroad, possibly during next year’s rugby union World Cup in Australia with the England team. As he prepares to conclude his UK-based challenges, he reiterated his commitment to the fight against MND, describing it as a battle that still needs to be won and appealing for ongoing support from the public and sporting community.