Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to take charge of the Super League Grand Final match ball for what will be his seventh and final challenge, a symbolic gesture that will see him present the ball at the iconic Old Trafford arena on October 3, broadcast live on Sky Sports. The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is gearing up for yet another demanding ultra‑marathon, a venture designed to heighten awareness and raise crucial funds for the motor neurone disease (MND) community across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Since launching his inaugural annual run in 2020, Sinfield and his dedicated team have generated more than £11 million for MND charities. This year’s endeavour will be particularly grueling: he will complete an ultra‑marathon each day for a full week, covering a different venue each night.
The journey begins at the home of world club champions Hull Kingston Rovers on Sunday, September 27, and will see him traverse the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs before culminating at Old Trafford ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday, October 3. For Sinfield, the final leg of this marathon holds deep personal resonance.
He once led Leeds Rhinos to seven Grand Final triumphs at the Theatre of Dreams, and now he will hand over the match ball to the current generation of players who will battle for the championship. The act is a tribute not only to his own storied career but also to his close friend Rob Burrow, whose own legacy is intertwined with those same venues. Old Trafford, in particular, is a site of great significance because it was there that Burrow scored what many consider the greatest Grand Final try in 2011 against St Helens.
"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. Sinfield explained that visiting the grounds where Burrow once terrorised opponents adds an extra layer of meaning to the challenge. "To visit some venues where he terrorised opponents is particularly special and to finish at Old Trafford is great," he said.
He also praised Burrow’s 2011 try, calling it "the greatest Super League try, greatest Grand Final try ever" and noting that Burrow won eight Grand Finals in total. The former captain reflected on the support the sport has shown both to Burrow and to the broader MND cause. He recalled the massive turnout at Old Trafford for the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022, 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 added. Rhodri Jones, the commercial managing director of the Rugby League and interim chief executive of the RFL, echoed these sentiments. "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." Six charities will benefit from this year’s fundraising drive: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Irish MND Association.
Supporters can contribute via the dedicated fundraising page, which remains open for donations. The Super League play‑offs kick off on Friday, September 18, with Wakefield Trinity facing Leigh Leopards at 8 p.m. on Sky Sports. The following day, Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at 5:30 p.m.
The semi‑finals are scheduled for Friday, September 25 (Leeds Rhinos versus a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent) and Saturday, September 26 (Wigan Warriors versus a TBD opponent), both broadcast live on Sky Sports. The play‑offs will continue through the weekend, culminating in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3, where Sinfield will hand the ball to the players who will fight for the coveted trophy.
Sinfield’s final ultra‑marathon is more than a physical test; it is a moving tribute to a friend, a rallying call for the rugby league community, and a powerful fundraising engine for a cause that has touched many lives. As the final day approaches, fans, fellow players, and charities alike are rallying behind him, hopeful that his perseverance will translate into both a memorable Grand Final ceremony and vital support for those living with MND.