Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final ball‑bearing mission ahead of the Super League Grand Final, a role that will see him hand over the iconic match ball at Old Trafford on 3 October, live on Sky Sports. The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is once again lacing up his running shoes for a grueling ultra‑marathon series designed to raise awareness and 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 support crew have generated more than £11 million for charities that support those living with MND.
This year’s undertaking will see him complete an ultra‑marathon each day for a full week, covering a different venue each time. The tour kicks off at Hull Kingston Rovers’ home ground on Sunday 27 September and will snake its way through the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs before culminating at the historic Theatre of Dreams – Old Trafford – on the Saturday before the Grand Final. The symbolism of this final run is profound.
Sinfield, who captained Leeds to seven Grand Final victories, will now hand the ball to the modern day gladiators who will battle for the title. He sees this as a chance to bring his efforts "back home" to the rugby league family that has supported him and his friend Rob Burrow for years. Old Trafford holds particular resonance because it was the stage where Burrow scored what many consider the greatest Grand Final try in 2011 against St Helens.
For Sinfield, presenting the ball at that very venue feels like a fitting book‑end to his marathon campaign. "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 adds an extra layer of meaning, and that ending the journey 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," he said. Sinfield reflected on the massive support rugby league fans showed during the 2022 Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford, even though England were not playing.
"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 explained. Rhodri Jones, the commercial managing director of RL and interim chief executive of the Rugby Football League, 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 challenge supports six charities: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association. A dedicated fundraising page has been set up for supporters to contribute directly to these causes. The Super League play‑offs will begin on Friday 18 September with Wakefield Trinity versus Leigh Leopards at 8 pm on Sky Sports, followed by Warrington Wolves against Hull KR on Saturday 19 September at 5:30 pm.
The semi‑finals are scheduled for 25 and 26 September, with Leeds Rhinos hosting a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent on the 25th and Wigan Warriors doing the same on the 26th. The climax of the season – the Grand Final – will take place at Old Trafford on 3 October, where Sinfield will hand the ball to the players who will compete for the championship. Sinfield’s marathon route not only highlights the geographical spread of the league but also serves as a moving tribute to the resilience of the MND community and the solidarity of rugby league fans.
Each day’s run will be documented, with updates shared across social media platforms, encouraging fans to donate, share messages of support, and celebrate the legacy of both Sinfield and Burrow. By intertwining sport, charity, and personal dedication, the initiative underscores how the rugby league world can rally around a cause, turning a series of grueling miles into a powerful statement of unity and hope. In summary, Sir Kevin Sinfield’s final ball‑carrying mission is more than a ceremonial hand‑off; it is the culmination of years of relentless fundraising, a tribute to a beloved teammate, and a celebration of the sport’s community spirit.
As the ultra‑marathon draws to a close and the ball is placed at the centre of the pitch on Grand Final day, the collective effort of players, fans, and charities will be on full display, reminding everyone that the fight against MND continues, bolstered by the passion and perseverance of the rugby league family.