Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield hopes to run 300 miles in just seven days to raise money for motor neurone disease research. And the former England captain and Great Britain star plans to finish his epic journey in front of a sell-out crowd at the sport’s World Cup final in November.
He has already raised more than £5million after completing seven marathons in seven days in December 2020 and running 101 miles in 24 hours last November. But now Sinfield, 42, is embarking on his toughest challenge, running from Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh to Old Trafford in Manchester.
Starting on November 13, he will cover around 70km, or 43 miles, every day. Along the route he will pass through Melrose in Scotland, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, York, Leeds, and Bradford.
If all goes to plan he will arrive to a hero’s reception at half time at the men’s World Cup final on November 19. Sinfield is a close friend and former Leeds Rhinos team mate of ex England and Great Britain player Rob Burrow, 40, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019.
Scottish rugby union player Doddie Weir and ex-Bradford City footballer Stephen Darby, 33, also have the condition. Sinfield, now part of the coaching team at Leicester Tigers, said “I’m absolutely honoured that we get to represent Doddie, Stephen and Rob who started the campaigning.
“We’ll try and hit locations, places that mean a lot to Doddie, Rob and Stephen.” Thanking his pal, father-of-three Burrow said: “I love him like family and I know my family do too.”
Joining the pair and Weir at the launch on BBC Breakfast yesterday was former Gloucester rugby player Ed Slater, 34, who was diagnosed with MND earlier this year.
Sinfield, who was awarded the OBE in January for services to rugby league and charity, said: “I want the MND community, I want Rob, I want Doddie, I want Stephen and I want Ed to know that there are people out there who are willing to go to some dark places for them - I’m certainly willing to do that.
“I know it’s going to be pretty brutal, training has been tough, but it will be worth it in the end. ”Money raised will go towards the new £5million Rob Burrow Motor Neurone Disease Care Centre in Leeds. There will also be donations to MND Scotland, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation and the 4ED campaign.
Sinfield added: “Undoubtedly this will be the toughest challenge yet. We have tried to combine elements of our two previous events to create the Ultra 7 in 7.
“MND is not incurable it has just been underfunded and I have belief that by raising funds we can give the scientists and researchers the best possible opportunity to find that cure. We also need to help those living with MND, to give them hope and love so they know we are with them.”
