Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to carry the Super League Grand Final match ball on what will be his seventh and final ultra‑marathon challenge, before handing it over at the iconic Old Trafford venue on 3 October during the live Sky Sports broadcast. The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is gearing up for yet another demanding running feat, this time aimed at boosting awareness and raising funds for the motor neurone disease (MND) community throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Since launching his first annual challenge in 2020, Sinfield and his dedicated team have generated more than £11 million for MND charities. This year’s itinerary is particularly ambitious: he will complete a separate ultra‑marathon each day for a full week, beginning at the home of the world‑club champions Hull KR on Sunday 27 September. From there, he will travel to the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs, culminating in a final run to Old Trafford ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday 3 October. The symbolism of this last leg is profound.
Sinfield, who guided Leeds to seven Grand Final triumphs at the famous "Theatre of Dreams," will be the one to present the match ball to the modern‑day gladiators who will battle for the title. For him, the journey is more than a personal test of endurance; it is a heartfelt tribute to the rugby league community that has supported his cause for years and a chance to honour the legacy of his close friend Rob Burrow. Burrow, a Leeds legend, famously scored what many consider the greatest Grand Final try ever in 2011 against St Helens at Old Trafford. That try has become a touchstone in Super League history, and Sinfield sees the venue as a fitting place to close his marathon circuit.
"I think it's nice to bring it back home to the rugby league community. This is where it all started for Rob," Sinfield told Sky Sports, emphasizing the personal connection to the stadium.
He added, "To visit some venues where he terrorised opponents is particularly special and to finish at Old Trafford is great. Rob scored, in my opinion, the greatest Super League try, greatest Grand Final try ever.
He won eight Grand Finals. To get a chance to visit some places that I know very well, where the support has been awesome over the last six years, I am looking forward to it." Sinfield also reflected on the broader support rugby league has shown for MND causes. He recalled the atmosphere at Old Trafford during the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022, when the crowd rallied behind the sport despite England not featuring in the match. "We were all hoping and expecting, so it doesn't matter which teams are in the final.
I think the love for Rob, the support, the love for the MND community will shine through and I am incredibly proud of the way rugby league has come together again and continues to do, to look after its own, and it will be a really special night," he said. Rhodri Jones, the commercial managing director of RL and interim chief executive of the Rugby Football League, praised Sinfield’s contribution: "Sir Kevin is one of the most iconic names in Super League history. He is synonymous with Grand Final night and his remarkable endeavours, all those epic running challenges we have seen over the years in support of his great friend Rob Burrow and the MND community, remain an inspiration to us all. As a competition, we are delighted he's now bringing the ball to the centre stage at Old Trafford ready for the biggest 80 minutes of the season when everything is on the line and the latest Betfred Super League champions are crowned.
The whole sport of rugby league wishes Sir Kevin and all his team the very best on what promises to be yet another arduous and challenging seven days." The fundraising element of the challenge remains a core focus. Six charities will benefit from the 2024 campaign: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Irish MND Association. Supporters can donate via the dedicated fundraising page, which remains open throughout the week of runs.
The Super League play‑offs kick off on Friday 18 September, with Wakefield Trinity hosting Leigh Leopards at 8 pm on Sky Sports. The following day sees Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at 5:30 pm.
The semi‑finals are scheduled for 25 September (Leeds Rhinos versus a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent) and 26 September (Wigan Warriors versus a TBD opponent), both broadcast live. The climax of the season—the Grand Final—will be staged at Old Trafford on 3 October, where Sinfield will hand the ball to the players who will compete for the championship in front of a national audience.
Beyond the sport, Sinfield’s marathon serves as a powerful reminder of how athletes can leverage their platforms for social good. By combining his personal endurance test with a charitable mission, he draws attention to the challenges faced by those living with motor neurone disease, while also celebrating the solidarity and passion that define rugby league culture.
As the final run approaches, fans, fellow players, and the wider community eagerly await the moment when the ball, having travelled across the heartland of the game, will be placed in the hands of the Grand Final contenders, symbolising both a tribute to the past and a hopeful look toward the future.