Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final ultra‑marathon challenge, a quest that will culminate in him presenting the Super League Grand Final match ball at Old Trafford on October 3, a ceremony that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain has become synonymous with charitable endurance feats, using his running exploits to raise awareness and funds for the motor neurone disease (MND) community throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Since launching his inaugural fundraising run in 2020, Sinfield and his dedicated team have amassed more than £11 million for MND charities.
This year’s itinerary is particularly ambitious: he will run an ultra‑marathon each day for a full week, starting at the home of world‑club champions Hull KR on Sunday, September 27. From there he will travel to the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs, covering each venue in a single, grueling circuit before arriving at Old Trafford for the season‑ending showdown on Saturday, October 3. The symbolism of the final leg cannot be overstated. Sinfield, who guided Leeds to seven Grand Final triumphs at the iconic "Theatre of Dreams," will hand over the match ball to the players who will battle for the title.
For him, the act represents a full‑circle moment, bringing the ball back to the heart of the rugby league community and paying tribute to his close friend Rob Burrow, whose own legendary career is intertwined with many of the stadiums on the route. Old Trafford holds a special place in Burrow’s legacy, having been the venue where he scored what many regard as the greatest Grand Final try ever – a spectacular effort against St Helens in 2011. "It feels right to bring the ball back home to the rugby league family," Sinfield told Sky Sports. "Rob started his journey here, and to finish at Old Trafford, where he produced that unforgettable try, makes this a fitting conclusion to our journey." He added that the support he has received over the past six years has been overwhelming, and that the love for Burrow and the MND cause will shine brightly on Grand Final night.
The event also offers a reminder of the broader rugby league community’s solidarity. Sinfield recalled the massive turnout at Old Trafford for the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022, noting that even though England were not in the match, the crowd’s enthusiasm was palpable. "It doesn’t matter which teams are playing – the passion for the sport and for our cause is always there," he said.
Rhodri Jones, managing director of RL Commercial and interim chief executive of the Rugby Football League, praised Sinfield’s contributions: "Sir Kevin is one of the most iconic figures in Super League history. He is inseparable from Grand Final night, and his relentless running challenges in support of Rob Burrow and the MND community have inspired countless fans and players alike. We are thrilled that he will now deliver the ball onto the centre stage at Old Trafford, where the season’s most crucial 80 minutes will unfold and the Betfred Super League champions will be crowned." Six charitable organisations will benefit from this year’s fundraising drive: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name 5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association.
Each will receive a share of the donations generated through Sinfield’s run, as well as contributions from supporters who can give via the dedicated fundraising page linked in the campaign. The Super League play‑offs kick off on Friday, September 18, with Wakefield Trinity hosting Leigh Leopards at 8 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The following day sees Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at 5:30 p.m., also on Sky Sports. The semi‑finals are scheduled for Friday, September 25 (Leeds Rhinos versus a to‑be‑determined opponent) and Saturday, September 26 (Wigan Warriors versus a to‑be‑determined opponent), both broadcast live.
The play‑offs will run consecutively until the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3, where Sinfield will hand the ball to the competing squads. Beyond the sporting spectacle, Sinfield’s final ultra‑marathon serves as a powerful reminder of how sport can mobilise communities for charitable causes.
By traversing the very grounds where rugby league legends have etched their names into history, he not only honors Rob Burrow’s extraordinary career but also shines a spotlight on the ongoing fight against MND. The combination of athletic endurance, heartfelt tribute, and fundraising ambition makes this seventh challenge a landmark event for both rugby league fans and the wider public. Supporters are encouraged to follow Sinfield’s daily progress, donate to the cause, and tune in to the live broadcasts of the play‑offs and Grand Final.
The fundraising page remains open for contributions, ensuring that the momentum built over the past six years continues to generate vital resources for research, patient support and awareness initiatives across the UK and Ireland. As the final day approaches, anticipation builds for a night that promises to blend sporting excellence with compassionate purpose, epitomising the spirit of rugby league and its capacity to unite people for a common good.