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Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield is set to finish his latest challenge to raise money for motor neurone disease charities
Kevin Sinfield is set to finish his latest ultra-marathon challenge on Sunday in aid of raising funds for motor neurone disease charities. The rugby league icon is set to complete his seventh ultra-marathon in seven days, with his journey ending in Leeds.
Sinfield has remarkably raised more than £10million for MND charities since undertaking his first challenge in 2020. It has been a cause close to his heart for years since his former Leeds Rhinos teammate and close friend Rob Burrow’s initial diagnosis and subsequent death in June 2024.
The 45-year-old has been joined by several sporting stars, including Olympic hero Jessica Ennis-Hill, during his seven-day challenge, which saw him run through Swansea earlier this week. Sinfield’s latest campaign has raised more than £700k at the time of writing. Here is a look at Sinfield’s life on and off the rugby pitch.
Outrage over knighthood snub
Sinfield was awarded a CBE in the 2024 New Year Honours list for his services to MND charities. However, World Cup winner Jason Robinson was among many people who were angered by Sinfield being overlooked for a knighthood last year, with the England legend highlighting that no rugby league player had – at that point – ever received the honour, unlike in rugby union.
“What Kevin has done over the years has been phenomenal, no doubt about it,” Robinson said, as reported by the Mirror. “And it’s gone way beyond rugby.
“As a player he was undoubtedly one of the best. But that relationship with Rob and what he’s done for the MND community, raising money and helping others who don’t have the same voice, continuing that for Rob, is just amazing. He’s a remarkable human being and has created such a legacy.
“If you’re associated with rugby league, though, you don’t get the same recognition compared to rugby union. I don’t know why it is but I’ve seen it myself and for so long. I only got something when I went to union. I won 20 major trophies in league. But what I did in union, I was doing all that in league for ten years.”
Welsh legend Sir Billy Boston later became the first rugby league player to earn a knighthood, as he became the sport’s first ever knight in its 130-year history earlier this year
Toughest decision
Sinfield spent his entire rugby league career with Leeds Rhinos, where he won seven Super League titles, before switching codes for a brief spell with Yorkshire Carnegie. He retired from the sport in 2016 but the former England captain described his decision to step down from international rugby as the hardest of his career.
“This is a decision I have taken a great deal of time over and it has been the toughest of my professional career,” Sinfield, who earned 26 caps, admitted in 2014.
“I have always loved playing for my country, whether for England or Great Britain, and it has been a privilege and honour to lead my country for the last two seasons.”
Sinfield’s decision followed the 2013 World Cup, which had been hosted on home soil. His last game for England was their semi-final defeat to New Zealand at Wembley.
Holding back tears
Sinfield has previously paid tribute to Scotland rugby legend Doddie Weir during his seven-day challenge. Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2015 and raised millions for charity before his death in November 2022.
After completing the Glasgow leg of his challenge last year, an emotional Sinfield held back tears as he said: “It’s been awesome to run today with Rob [Burrow’s] number seven on our shirts but also Doddie’s tartan.”
