Come and cheer us on, says Kevin Sinfield ahead of challenge

Sir Kevin will stop in York during his final ‘7 in 7’ challenge in September, in which he will try to complete an ultra-marathon every day for seven days.

It will be Sir Kevin’s seventh endurance challenges, having been inspired by former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow who died in 2024 after living with MND for four-and-a-half years.

Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow who died last year aged 41 (Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Sir Kevin, 45, who was knighted in June, will finish in York on the second day of the challenge on Monday, September 28.

He will run to York from Shiptonthorpe, near Market Weighton, after arriving in the East Yorkshire village from Hull.

Sir Kevin and his team will depart Shiptonthorpe for Bishopthorpe Palace on September 28, calling at the University of York, LNER Community Stadium for a visit to newly-promoted York Knights, then passing York Minster and York Racecourse on their way to the finish line at the palace.

Kevin Sinfield and his team passing Skelton as they entered York in November 2022 (Image: Kris Brown, The Press Camera Club)

In a letter to supporters ahead of the challenge, Sir Kevin said: “Every card, message, hug and handshake has fuelled us to do more and go even further in our fight against MND.

“To everyone who has turned out to support us, anyone who has donated, shared a message, told us their story, or given their time to volunteer – thank you.”

He said: “Seven years ago this December my friend and Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow CBE was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. In that moment, as anyone who has been affected by MND will tell you, life changed in an instant for him and his loved ones.

“While Rob and his incredible family; his adoring wife Lindsey, their three wonderful children and his parents Geoff, who we have since sadly lost, and Irene bravely came to terms with his diagnosis, his friends, teammates, colleagues and the wider Rugby League community were determined to make a difference.”

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Sir Kevin, who has raised more than £11 million for the MND community, was at York Racecourse last week for the Ebor Festival, which saw 17 runners compete in the ‘Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap’.

When asked how his training compared to 18-year rugby league career, Sir Kevin said: “It’s different, I don’t get hit any more!

Kevin Sinfield at York Racecourse on Thursday, August 20 (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)

“The rugby stuff, that I did for so long, is you’re coping with the contact. This is a different type of pain.”

He added: “We’ve got a wonderful team and I think when you’ve seen the impact, the awareness and the funds that have been raised for the families that are in such need, then we haven’t got time to be tired.

“We’ve got to keep going, we’ve got to keep fighting and keep trying to pull people together to help. I get enough rest, don’t worry.”