Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to carry the Super League Grand Final match ball for what will be his seventh and final personal challenge, before handing it over at the venue that has witnessed many of his most celebrated moments. The ceremony will take place at Old Trafford on 3 October, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is gearing up for his latest demanding running expedition, a venture designed to heighten awareness and raise vital funds for the motor neurone disease (MND) community throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Since launching his inaugural annual challenge in 2020, Sinfield and his dedicated team have generated more than £11 million for MND charities, and this year’s effort promises to add another substantial sum.
The format of the challenge is both simple and grueling: an ultra‑marathon each day for a full week. The journey commences at the home of the world‑club champions Hull Kingston Rovers on Sunday, 27 September, and proceeds to the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs. Each day, Sinfield will cover the distance between venues, culminating in a final run that brings him to Old Trafford just ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday, 3 October.
For a player who guided Leeds to seven Grand Final triumphs at the iconic Theatre of Dreams, the prospect of presenting the match ball carries deep personal significance. It offers a symbolic full‑circle moment, linking his own storied career with the ongoing battle of the sport’s current heroes.
Sinfield explained to Sky Sports that this final leg of his campaign is a chance to "bring it back home" to the rugby league community and to revisit locations where his late teammate Rob Burrow once dazzled opponents. Old Trafford holds a special place in that narrative. It was the stage where Burrow scored what many consider the greatest Grand Final try ever, a spectacular effort against St Helens in 2011.
Sinfield recalled, "Rob scored, in my opinion, the greatest Super League try, the greatest Grand Final try ever. He won eight Grand Finals. To visit some venues where he terrorised opponents is particularly special, and to finish at Old Trafford is great." Beyond the personal tribute, Sinfield highlighted the broader emotional resonance of the event. He reflected on the massive support the rugby league community showed during the 2022 Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford, even though England were not competing.
"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," he said.
"I am incredibly proud of the way rugby league has come together again and continues to look after its own; 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 contribution, stating, "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 charitable organisations: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name 5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Irish MND Association.
Each will benefit from the donations generated through the marathon and related fundraising activities. Fans are encouraged to contribute via the dedicated fundraising page linked by the organisers. 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 Friday, 25 September (Leeds Rhinos versus a yet‑to‑be‑decided opponent) and Saturday, 26 September (Wigan Warriors versus a TBD side), both broadcast live. The season will then crescendo at Old Trafford on 3 October, where the Grand Final will determine the champion of the Betfred Super League. In summary, Sir Kevin Sinfield’s seventh ultra‑marathon not only serves as a personal tribute to his late teammate and a fundraiser for a vital cause, but also as a ceremonial bridge linking past glories with the present‑day contest for the sport’s most coveted prize. The combination of athletic endurance, charitable ambition, and historic symbolism makes this final run a landmark moment for rugby league, its fans, and the wider community supporting those affected by motor neurone disease.