Leeds Rhinos Legend Sir Kevin Sinfield Finishes Mammoth Ultramarathon for the MND Community
Sir Kevin Sinfield during his 7-in-7 ultramarathon challenge | Image Credits: dom fellowes on flickr (image cropped) https://www.flickr.com/photos/domfell/55599975792/in/photolist-CfpJ2t-2sHbpJh-2qzSkGr
Rugby League legend Sir Kevin Sinfield has completed the final leg of his latest ultramarathon challenge, raising funds and awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) community, while paying tribute to his former Leeds Rhinos team-mate and close friend Rob Burrow CBE who sadly passed away from the disease in 2024.
The ‘7 in 7’ challenge ran from September 27 to October 3, with Sinfield covering almost 200 miles in memory of Burrow. An additional mile was included each day to give members of the MND community the opportunity to join Sinfield for part of the route. He began the challenge at Sewell Group Craven Park, the home of Hull KR, visiting all 12 Super League clubs over the course of seven days before finishing during Grand Final Week.
During the week, Sinfield received support from prominent public figures. He was joined by members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales on day 3 of the challenge at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, home of Wakefield Trinity. Former England manager, Gareth Southgate also joined Sinfield during the opening leg of the challenge, running a section that finished in Market Weighton. The fundraising initiative concluded at Old Trafford, where he completed this final stretch ahead of the Grand Final between Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity. Sinfield was welcomed by a full-house at Old Trafford whilst he presented the Grand Final Trophy.
Inspired by Burrow’s battle with Motor Neurone Disease, Sinfield began his fundraising challenges in 2020 to support people living with the condition and their families. Since then, he has raised more than £13 million for the MND community, helping raise vital funds and spread awareness.
Burrow retired from Rugby League at the end of the 2017 season after totalling 492 appearances for Leeds Rhinos. Following his diagnosis in 2019, Burrow became a leading advocate for raising awareness of MND, becoming a leading voice in the fight against the disease. This includes two award winning BBC documentaries: providing insight into a life with MND. In 2020, Burrow was awarded an MBE for services to rugby league and the MND community before receiving a CBE in 2023. Alongside this, he also received the Helen Rollason Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2022.
Speaking on a BBC Radio 4 Programme, Lindsay Burrow said that her late husband “would have been very proud” of Sinfield’s latest achievement.
Kevin Sinfield enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Leeds Rhinos and is widely regarded as one of the most successful players in Super League history, having won seven Super League titles, three World Club Challenge trophies, two Challenge Cups and earning caps for both England and Great Britain. He began coaching rugby union in 2021, helping the Leicester Tigers win the Premiership before joining Steve Borthwick’s England coaching team at the end of 2022.
After being named in the King’s Birthday Honours list on June 12, he was officially awarded his knighthood at Windsor Castle on October 7 for services to rugby and the MND community.
“I think Rob would be laughing to see me get a knighthood” – Kevin Sinfield to the Press Association
When asked about the honour, he said the reaction from the MND community had been “wonderful”.
Burrow and Sinfield enjoyed successful careers at Leeds Rhinos, achieving almost all there is to achieve in rugby league. Yet, their efforts in support of the MND community may just be their greatest legacy.
Words by Luke Shearer