Rob Burrow’s former teammate Kevin Sinfield has completed his last endurance fundraising effort in support of MND causes, an event held in remembrance of his late friend. The challenge ended its run at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester before the Super League Grand Final between Warrington Wolves and Wakefield Trinity. Burrow passed away in 2024, and the event was organized to raise funds for MND causes in his memory.
Key facts box:
– Event: 7 in 7: The Grand Finale week
– Route: Seven days, seven ultramarathons, 12 visits to Super League clubs
– Distance: 7km per hour-long segment plus optional extra mile for participants
– Start: Hull, September 27
– Finish: Old Trafford, Grand Final weekend
– Total funds raised since 2020: Over £13m
– Beneficiaries: MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, Irish MND Association
Seven days, seven ultramarathons, and a visit to every one of the 12 Super League clubs were packed into Sinfield’s journey. It began in Hull on September 27, with the final stage concluding at Old Trafford on 7 in 7: The Grand Finale week. There, he emerged from the stadium ahead of the match to present the trophy.
Since his first annual challenge in 2020, the fundraiser and his team have gathered over £13m to help people with MND.
The route and the daily format
The 7 in 7 challenge broke each day into 7km, hour-long segments, giving members of the MND community a further mile to add if they wished. Along the way, Sinfield stopped at every Super League club.
The royals Sinfield encountered on his journey included The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal, and he was surprised to meet them all. He also crossed paths with prominent figures from sport, such as former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate and Leeds boxer Josh Warrington.
The money and the beneficiaries
The money collected from the challenge will be used to support the work of several organisations, including the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association.
Leeds Rhinos was where Sinfield spent his whole professional career, and he is counted among the most successful players in Super League history, 45.
The two men crossed paths at the Leeds Rhinos academy when they were aged 14 and 12, and later teamed up to claim seven titles with the club.
Lindsey Burrow’s tribute
Burrow’s wife, Lindsey Burrow, told BBC Radio 4’s PM that her late husband “would have been incredibly proud” of his friend.
“It’s bittersweet that Rob’s not here today to see Kevin finish his final challenge but Rob will be with us in spirit and it’s just testimony to Kevin that he’s so humbled to do this not just for Rob but for the whole MND community,” Lindsey said.
“It’s just incredible. I am in complete awe of the efforts of Kevin and his team over the last seven days, and not just over the last seven days but over the last seven years,” she added.
Jack Sinfield’s role
Jack Sinfield took his place among the players for Wakefield as his side sought a first top-flight title since 1968, with his father’s presence adding weight to the occasion.
The scale of the achievement
Beyond the physical demands of Sinfield’s undertaking lay an extended effort directed at a community that needed his attention.
Sinfield said the rugby league community has rallied around the MND community, and he believes Rob would be so proud to see how supporters have shown their love for a group that truly needs our help.
The amount collected stands out. Since the first annual challenge started in 2020, over £13m has been gathered.
What this means for MND causes
Six named groups receive the money. It supports the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association.
Casting the trophy before the Grand Final at Old Trafford served as an appropriate farewell, closing the challenge’s circle from start to finish.
A man who has run seven marathons across seven days has raised more than £13m for MND causes. The first annual challenge began in 2020, and he visited all 12 Super League clubs along the way. He and his former teammate won seven titles together with Leeds Rhinos, and Lindsey Burrow spoke to BBC Radio 4’s PM about it.
Everyone came away winners from Sinfield’s last challenge, with Rob Burrow looking on proudly and the fundraising total showing what a lasting effort can produce.
A community that truly needs our support received love from the rugby league family, and Sinfield delivered it, day after day, over seven days, until the finish line at Old Trafford.
Source material: “Sinfield completes final ultramarathon challenge,” the BBC.
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