Sinfield completes final ultramarathon challenge
Sir Kevin Sinfield crosses the finish line at Old Trafford after seven ultramarathons in seven days. Sir Kevin Sinfield has completed his latest endurance challenge raising money for motor neurone disease (MND) causes in memory of his friend and teammate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024. Sinfield completed seven ultramarathons in seven days, crossing the finish line at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester ahead of the Super League Grand Final. The fundraiser and his team have raised more than ยฃ13m for the MND community since his first annual challenge in 2020. Speaking to the crowd, Sinfield said: "The rugby league community has got right behind the MND community and Rob would be so proud to see how you've supported and cared, and showed your love for a community that really needs us." Sinfield began his final ultramarathon challenge in Hull on September 27 and visited all 12 Super League clubs along the way. The 7 in 7: The Grand Finale week ended at Old Trafford earlier where he brought out the trophy ahead of the game between Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity.
Along the way he was surprised by royals , including The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal, as well as famous names from the sporting world such as former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate and Leeds boxer Josh Warrington. Each day was split into 7km, hour-long blocks with an additional extra mile for members of the MND community to join. Funds raised by the challenge will go towards the work of the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association. Sinfield, 45, who played his entire professional career with Leeds Rhinos, is one of the most successful players in Super League history. He and Burrow met at the Leeds Rhinos academy aged 14 and 12. They went on to win seven titles together with Leeds Rhinos.
Burrow's wife, Lindsey Burrow, told BBC Radio 4's PM that her late husband "would have been incredibly proud" of his friend. "It's bittersweet that Rob's not here today to see Kevin finish his final challenge but Rob will be with us in spirit and it's just testimony to Kevin that he's so humbled to do this not just for Rob but for the whole MND community," Lindsey said. "It's just incredible. I am in complete awe of the efforts of Kevin and his team over the last seven days, and not just over the last seven days but over the last seven years," she added. Sinfield's son, Jack Sinfield, lined up in the Wakefield side seeking to clinch their first top-flight title since 1968.
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