Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to carry the Super League Grand Final match ball for what will be his seventh and final challenge, a symbolic moment that will see him hand over the ball at Old Trafford on 3 October during the live Sky Sports broadcast. The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is about to embark on what is arguably his most demanding running venture yet, a series of ultra‑marathons designed to raise awareness and funds for the motor neurone disease (MND) community across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Since launching his first annual run in 2020, Sinfield and his dedicated team have raised more than £11 million for charities that support people living with MND. This year’s itinerary is a grueling seven‑day ultra‑marathon, with a new leg completed each day.
The journey begins at the home of world club champions Hull Kingston Rovers on Sunday 27 September and will see Sinfield traverse the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs before culminating at the iconic Old Trafford arena on Saturday 3 October, just ahead of the Grand Final. The significance of this final leg goes far beyond the physical feat.
Sinfield, who guided Leeds to seven Grand Final victories at the so‑called Theatre of Dreams, will present the match ball to the players who will contest the championship that night. For him, the act is a heartfelt tribute to his close friend Rob Burrow, the Leeds legend whose own battle with MND sparked the original fundraising runs. Old Trafford holds particular emotional weight because it was the stage where Burrow scored what many consider the greatest Grand Final try in history – a dazzling effort against St Helens in 2011. Sinfield described the venue as “a particularly fitting end” for his challenge, noting that it brings the story full circle.
"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. He added that visiting the grounds where Burrow once terrorised opponents would be “especially special,” and that ending at Old Trafford felt like a perfect conclusion to a journey that began with a single step in 2020. The former captain also reflected on the broader support the sport has shown.
He recalled the massive turnout at Old Trafford for the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022, when England were not even playing, yet the crowd still offered overwhelming encouragement. "We were all hoping and expecting, so it doesn't matter which teams are in the final," he said.
"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." Rhodri Jones, the commercial managing director of the Rugby League (RL) and interim chief executive of the 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 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." This year’s challenge supports six charities: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name 5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association.
Donations can be made through the dedicated fundraising page linked to the campaign. The Super League play‑offs kick off on Friday 18 September with Wakefield Trinity versus Leigh Leopards (kick‑off 8 pm, Sky Sports), followed by Warrington Wolves versus Hull KR on Saturday 19 September (kick‑off 5:30 pm, Sky Sports). The semi‑finals are scheduled for Friday 25 September (Leeds Rhinos versus a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent, 8 pm) and Saturday 26 September (Wigan Warriors versus a TBD opponent, 5:30 pm), both broadcast live on Sky Sports.
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, symbolising the culmination of both the sporting contest and his charitable marathon. In summary, Sir Kevin Sinfield’s final ultra‑marathon not only showcases his extraordinary endurance but also serves as a powerful reminder of the rugby league community’s solidarity with those affected by MND. By linking the physical challenge with the ceremonial presentation of the Grand Final match ball, Sinfield bridges his personal quest with the sport’s most celebrated night, ensuring that the legacy of Rob Burrow and the fight against motor neurone disease remain front‑and‑centre in the hearts of fans and players alike.