Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final ultra‑marathon challenge, a feat that will culminate with him handing over the Super League Grand Final match ball at Old Trafford on 3 October. The ceremony, broadcast live on Sky Sports, will see the former Leeds Rhinos and England captain present the ball at the iconic venue that has witnessed many of his most celebrated moments.
Sinfield’s latest undertaking is not merely a test of endurance; it is a charitable mission aimed at raising 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 generated more than £11 million for MND charities, and this year’s challenge promises to add a substantial sum to that total. The format of the challenge is grueling: an ultra‑marathon will be completed each day for seven consecutive days.
The journey begins on Sunday, 27 September, at the home of the world‑club champions Hull Kingston Rovers. From there, Sinfield will travel to each of the twelve English Super League clubs, stopping at their home grounds to run the prescribed distance. The final leg will bring him to Old Trafford, where the Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, 3 October. For Sinfield, the symbolism of the final stop is profound.
He once led Leeds Rhinos to seven Grand Final victories at the Theatre of Dreams, and now he will hand the ball to the modern‑day gladiators who will battle for the championship. The occasion also serves as a tribute to his close friend Rob Burrow, the legendary Leeds player who was diagnosed with MND in 2019.
Burrow’s most celebrated try – widely regarded as the greatest Grand Final effort ever – was scored at Old Trafford in 2011 against St Helens. Sinfield says the venue is a fitting place to bring his challenge “back home” to the rugby league community that has supported Burrow throughout his battle.
"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. "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." He added that the support he has received over the past six years has been overwhelming. "We were here (Old Trafford) for the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022 and the support we got that night was immense, even though England weren’t in the final. 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." Rhodri Jones, commercial managing director of the Rugby League 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." The fundraising effort this year will benefit six charities: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Irish MND Association. Donors can contribute via the dedicated fundraising page, which remains open throughout the week‑long run.
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. Semi‑Final 1 is scheduled for Friday, 25 September, when Leeds Rhinos face a yet‑to‑be‑confirmed opponent at 8 pm, and Semi‑Final 2 follows on Saturday, 26 September, with Wigan Warriors playing their opponent at 5:30 pm.
All matches are broadcast live on Sky Sports, culminating in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October. Sinfield’s final marathon will not only showcase his physical resilience but also highlight the deep bond between rugby league and charitable causes. By linking his personal endurance test with the sport’s most prestigious event, he underscores how the rugby league community can rally around a common purpose—supporting those affected by MND, honouring a beloved former player, and celebrating the sport’s rich heritage.
The anticipation builds as fans await the moment when the match ball, having travelled across twelve stadiums, will be placed in the hands of the players who will fight for the title on the grand stage of Old Trafford.