Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to carry the iconic Super League Grand Final match ball for what will be his seventh and final challenge, before handing it over at the historic venue where many of his most celebrated moments took place. The ceremony will occur at Old Trafford on 3 October, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is now gearing up for his latest and arguably most demanding endurance undertaking, a series of ultra‑marathons designed to raise further awareness and financial support for the motor neurone disease (MND) community throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Since launching his first annual run in 2020, Sinfield and his dedicated team have already raised in excess of £11 million for MND charities, and this year’s effort promises to add a substantial sum to that total. The format of the challenge is both simple and grueling: Sinfield will complete an ultra‑marathon each day for seven consecutive days.
The route begins at the home ground of the world‑club champions Hull Kingston Rovers on Sunday, 27 September. From there, he will travel to each of the twelve English Super League clubs, visiting their respective stadiums in turn. The final leg of the journey culminates at Old Trafford, where he will present the match ball just before the Grand Final on Saturday, 3 October. For Sinfield, the act of delivering the ball carries deep personal significance.
He guided Leeds to seven Grand Final victories at the famed "Theatre of Dreams," and now he will hand the ball to the current generation of players who will battle for the same trophy. "It feels right to bring the ball back home to the rugby league community," Sinfield told Sky Sports. "This is where it all began for Rob." Rob Burrow, the beloved former Leeds star who was diagnosed with MND in 2019, is the central figure behind Sinfield’s charitable runs. Burrow’s most iconic moment came in the 2011 Grand Final at Old Trafford, where he scored what many consider the greatest try in Super League history, sealing a dramatic victory over St Helens.
That try, and the venue where it occurred, make Old Trafford a particularly poignant endpoint for Sinfield’s final marathon. "Visiting the grounds where Rob terrified opponents is incredibly special, and finishing at Old Trafford feels like the perfect conclusion," Sinfield added. "Rob scored, in my view, the greatest Grand Final try ever.
He won eight Grand Finals, and his legacy lives on every time we step onto a rugby league field." Sinfield also reflected on the broader support the sport has shown for the MND cause. He recalled the massive turnout for the Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford in 2022, noting that even though England were not competing, the crowd’s enthusiasm was overwhelming. "We were all hoping and expecting, so it doesn’t matter which teams are playing. The love for Rob, the support for the MND community, and the solidarity of rugby league fans will shine through on Grand Final night," he said.
Rhodri Jones, the commercial managing director of the Rugby League (RL) and interim chief executive of the Rugby Football League (RFL), praised Sinfield’s contributions: "Sir Kevin is one of the most iconic names in Super League history. He is synonymous with Grand Final night, and his remarkable endurance challenges in support of his great friend Rob Burrow and the MND community inspire us all. As a competition, we are delighted he will now bring the ball to centre stage at Old Trafford, ready for the biggest 80 minutes of the season when the latest Betfred Super League champions are crowned.
The whole sport of rugby league wishes Sir Kevin and his team the very best during what promises to be another arduous seven‑day journey." This year’s fundraising effort will benefit six charities: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Irish MND Association. Donations can be made via the dedicated fundraising page linked by the organizers. The Super League play‑offs kick off on Friday, 18 September, with Wakefield Trinity hosting Leigh Leopards at 8 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The following day, Warrington Wolves face Hull KR at 5:30 p.m.
The semi‑finals are scheduled for Friday, 25 September (Leeds Rhinos versus a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent) and Saturday, 26 September (Wigan Warriors versus a TBD opponent), both broadcast live on Sky Sports. The play‑off series will run through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, culminating in the crowning of the season’s champions. Sinfield’s final marathon not only underscores his personal dedication to a cause close to his heart but also highlights the rugby league community’s collective commitment to supporting those affected by MND. As the match ball makes its way from one historic stadium to another, it carries with it the stories of triumph, perseverance, and camaraderie that define the sport.
The anticipation builds for a night at Old Trafford that promises to be both a celebration of rugby league excellence and a tribute to the enduring spirit of Rob Burrow and the countless individuals battling MND.