Kevin Sinfield announces new MND charities ultra-marathon challenge

Sinfield stopped short of the finish at the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in May to carry his friend over the line

Rugby star Kevin Sinfield has announced plans to take on a new challenge to support those affected by motor neurone disease (MND).

The 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge will see the former Leeds Rhino run an ultra-marathon every day for seven days in seven cities in December.

Since his ex-Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow was diagnosed in 2019, he has raised millions for MND charities.

Announcing the latest event, Sinfield said: "Here we go again".

He added: "I did say last year that the Ultra 7 in 7 would complete the trilogy, but there was always that caveat that Rocky 4 was my favourite Rocky film."

Each 7 in 7 in 7 run, in cities around Great Britain and Ireland, would be a full marathon with one added mile to signify the extra mile people could all go to help their friends in tough times, Sinfield said.

The aim was to complete each day's run in under four hours.

Kevin Sinfield has raised over £8m for MND charities since 2020

Sinfield said the new challenge would be "physically my toughest".

"I have not been able to do the amount of training I have done previously because of my commitments for the World Cup, and we have set an ambitious time target to complete each ultra so people know that we will be pushing ourselves to the limit," he said.

Talking on BBC Breakfast, alongside Burrow, he said: "We are really looking forward to it.

"There are 100 reasons why we shouldn't go again. But there are 5,000 reasons why we should."

Pointing to his former teammate, he added: "The biggest reason is sat right there."

The 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge would support five charities, including the appeal for the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds, Sinfield said.

It was Rob Burrow's MND diagnosis in 2019 that led to Kevin Sinfield's fundraising efforts

Burrow told BBC Breakfast: "Yes, it's another crazy challenge - we thought he would stop after the last one but here you go again.

"I would do the same for you. I hope to see you off at the start and see you at the finish.

"You never stop banging the drum for the MND community.

"But remember Kev, you are not getting any younger."

'Epic challenges'

Esther Wakeman, chief executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity, said: "Kevin has always gone the extra mile for Rob and the MND community.

"His unwavering commitment to support the fight against motor neurone disease is truly awe-inspiring.

"Through his series of epic challenges, Kevin has already contributed over £2m to our Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Appeal."

Sinfield said donations from the 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge would also be made to the MND Association, My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, the Irish MND Association and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, as well as the 4ED campaign to support former Gloucester and Leicester Rugby Union player Ed Slater.

Tanya Curry, chief executive of the MND Association, said: "After three incredible challenges, our patron Kevin Sinfield is once again demonstrating his unwavering commitment and passion to raising awareness and funds in the fight against MND with this fourth challenge.

"The fundraising from his previous challenges has helped us expand our services and invest in vital research into this devastating disease."

Sinfield's new challenge would "continue his incredible legacy", Ms Curry added.

Sinfield said he was looking forward to seeing the "support on the street" again

The 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge will begin on 1 December, with Sinfield and his team leaving Headingley Rugby Stadium for York Minster.

The second day will see the team travel to Cardiff, while Birmingham will host day three.

On day four, they will travel north to Edinburgh, crossing the Forth Bridge and ending at Murrayfield.

Meanwhile, Dublin will host Sinfield and his team on the fifth day, with the team heading to Brighton the following day.

The challenge is due to end on 7 December with the team running from Twickenham Stadium to the Mall.

Sinfield said he was "looking forward to it and seeing all the support out on the streets once again".