Sir Kevin Sinfield Starts Strong in MND Charity Challenge

Sir Kevin Sinfield made a strong start to his ‘Grand Finale’ MND charity challenge on Sunday, 27 September 2026. He aimed to run an ultra marathon every day for seven days in order to raise funds for motor neurone disease charities. Sinfield was joined by former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate during the first stage of this endurance event, which has already seen more than £500,000 pledged in support.

This challenge was inspired by Sinfield's former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow, who passed away in 2024 after living with MND for four and a half years. Since Sinfield started his annual challenges in 2020, he and his team have raised over £11 million for the MND community.

During the ‘7 in 7: The Grand Finale’, Sinfield is scheduled to run an ultra marathon each day, with charity beneficiaries including the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Irish MND Association. Each ultra marathon consists of segments that Sinfield must complete within an hour, before starting the next segment. Additionally, an ‘extra mile’ event will take place each day, wherein Sinfield will run four laps of a running track with members of the MND community.

As part of the challenge, Sinfield will visit the home grounds of all 12 English Betfred Super League clubs, culminating at Old Trafford prior to the Super League Grand Final, where his son Jack will play for Wakefield against Warrington.

On the first day, Sinfield set off from Hull KR’s Craven Park, made his way across Hull to the MKM Stadium, home of Hull FC, and then to Market Weighton, finishing in Shiptonthorpe. Sir Gareth Southgate also joined Sinfield for the final segment of the day. Following the completed first ultra marathon, the fundraising total stood at just over £500,800, nearing the £777,777 goal.

Sinfield described the day as “really special” during a speech to supporters outside Shiptonthorpe Village Hall, expressing gratitude for their ongoing support. He stated, “We can’t do it on our own, and you just being here today makes it all worthwhile.” Sinfield also emphasized the urgency of changing the circumstances for those in the MND community during his speech.

Looking ahead, Monday’s leg of the challenge will take Sinfield to York, with stops at the LNER Community Stadium, York Minster, and York racecourse, concluding at Bishopthorpe Palace.